When Associate Justice Amy Coney Barrett joined the Supreme Court last year, some predicted a diminished role for the man who had emerged in recent years as the court’s unlikely swing vote: Chief Justice John Roberts.

But as one big opinion after another landed in the term that ended this month, a more nuanced picture of Roberts’ power came into focus. While the chief justice is no longer casting tie-breaking votes, his incremental approach to the court’s work – narrow opinions designed to build coalitions resulting in majorities – appeared to once again prevail.

In today’s episode, host Claire Thornton sits down with Supreme Court correspondent John Fritze and Supreme Court editor Martina Stewart to discuss major decisions ruling on a cheerleader’s online speech, LGBTQ rights vs. religious freedom and voting rights.

We also look ahead to next term, where even more controversial cases are on the docket - including abortion rights and more religious freedom issues - and ask, could a moderate majority emerge from within the middle of the court?

Additional reading:

'This is not a great outcome': SCOTUS ruling brings fear of explosion in voting restrictions

Swing vote to soft power: How Chief Justice John Roberts is exerting influence

Episode transcript linked here.

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