Civitas Outlook
Topic
Constitutionalism
Published on
April 29, 2026
Contributors
Charles C.W. Cooke
Richard Epstein
Episode
The Libertarian

A Turning Point For Section 2: SCOTUS Reins in the Voting Rights Act

About this episode

Charles C. W. Cooke and Richard Epstein break down the Supreme Court’s latest Voting Rights Act decision, examining how the ruling in Louisiana v. Callais narrows the use of race in redistricting and marks a turning point in election law. Epstein argues that the Court has finally begun to rein in what he sees as decades of overreach, tracing the evolution of voting rights jurisprudence from the Civil Rights era to today and questioning whether majority-minority districts have outlived their original purpose. The conversation explores the legal foundations of racial gerrymandering, the unintended political consequences of engineered districts, and the broader implications for polarization, representation, and the future of redistricting in the United States.

All other episodes on

The Libertarian

The Slippery Slope of Social Media Liability

The conversation ranges from contributory liability and First Amendment concerns to the deeper question: who is responsible when harm flows through a network?

EP
Mar 28, 2026

The Half-War

Richard Epstein examines the unfolding U.S. confrontation with Iran through both a strategic and constitutional lens, arguing that President Trump’s approach reflects a deeper tension between military necessity and political constraint.

EP
Apr 11, 2026

When Trump Sued Himself: The $1.776 billion Slush Fund

EP
May 29, 2026

Trump’s Iran Gamble Is Backfiring

Richard Epstein weighs in on war, deterrence, and the limits of modern military strategy.

EP
Jun 2, 2026

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Constitutionalism

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Former AGs Barr and Mukasey Cite Civitas in a SCOTUS Brief

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Amicus Brief: Chevron U.S.A. Inc. v. Plaquemines Parish

Civitas Research Fellow Michael Toth's work was cited in a Supreme Court brief.‍

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The Declaration as a Constitution

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Birthright Citizenship Has a Long Historical Precedent

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State Courts Can’t Run Foreign Policy

Suncor is also a golden opportunity for the justices to stop local officials from interfering with an industry critical to foreign and national-security policy.

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The Libertarian

The inimitable Richard Epstein offers his unique perspective on national developments in public policy and the law.

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Law Talk

Welcome to Law Talk with Richard Epstein and John Yoo. Our show is hosted by Charles C. W. Cooke.

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Supreme Court Justices Seek Increased Security Funding Amid Escalating Threats

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1:05

The High Court's Very Big Year

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The Myth of Birthright Citizenship with Richard A. Epstein

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Former DOJ Official: 'This is a crazy idea'

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The Rising Influence of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas

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The Fifth Circuit’s Chance to Expose the Inflation Reduction Act’s Unconstitutionality

Despite the mounting evidence of harm, the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program remains law — and the Justice Department continues to defend it in federal court.

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How the Zelman Decision Revitalized Religious Freedom

'Zelman v. Simmons-Harris' catalyzed a judicial recovery of the founding vision for the Establishment Clause and, more broadly, the relationship between church and state.

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Scalia’s Revolution

We still live in Scalia's judicial universe.

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The Roberts Court should reboot the machinery of death, and get the judiciary out of its interminable quagmire.

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Constitutionalism
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