Torn down Rightwing justices axe decades of settled law
The Guardian Weekly|July 07, 2023
Another momentous term has ended at the US supreme court in which the rightwing supermajority crafted by Donald Trump applied its blueprint for the radical overhaul of vast swathes of American public life to new areas, including race and LGBTQ+ rights.
Ed Pilkington
Torn down Rightwing justices axe decades of settled law

In a repeat of the shockwaves of a year ago, when they overturned the right to an abortion, the six rightwing justices - three appointed by Trump saved their biggest explosions until the end. Last Thursday's 6 to 3 ruling barring affirmative action at Harvard and the University of North Carolina will affect virtually every selective higher education institution in the US, with potential ramifications far beyond.

Last Friday, the last day of term, the six conservatives wielded their sword over LGBTQ+ rights. In another 6 to 3 ruling, they slashed anti-discrimination protections to allow a devout Christian web designer to turn away same-sex couples.

The case, 303 Creative v Elenis, was instigated by the Alliance Defending Freedom, a rightwing Christian group that has been classed as an extremist group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. Its legal arguments were based on questionable evidence.

The icing on the conservative cake, also delivered by a 6 to 3 margin, struck down the Biden administration's student debt forgiveness plan. Buried with it were the financial hopes of 40 million Americans.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE GUARDIAN WEEKLYView all
THE SAVAGE SUBURBIA OF HELEN GARNER
The Guardian Weekly

THE SAVAGE SUBURBIA OF HELEN GARNER

Over 50 years the Australian has become one of her country's most revered and beloved authors, writing as if readers were her friend, party to her most candid thoughts. Is she finally going to get worldwide recognition? By Sophie Elmhirst

time-read
10+ mins  |
March 07, 2025
Israel's block on aid raises health fears for underfed population
The Guardian Weekly

Israel's block on aid raises health fears for underfed population

Briefing the Israeli press after Benjamin Netanyahu’s order last Sunday to turn off the aid supply to Gaza - in an effort to pressure Hamas into accepting a change in the ceasefire agreement to allow for the release of hostages without an Israeli troop withdrawal - government officials claimed the Palestinian territory had several months’ worth of food stockpiled from earlier deliveries.

time-read
3 mins  |
March 07, 2025
Dam it! How eager beavers became the farmer's friend
The Guardian Weekly

Dam it! How eager beavers became the farmer's friend

A Cornish farmer is behind a change in the law to release wild beavers in England after witnessing the incredible benefits on his land

time-read
4 mins  |
March 07, 2025
Call of duty
The Guardian Weekly

Call of duty

This rural English village phone box was used fewer than 10 times in the whole of 2024-but Derek Harris sees it as a lifeline and is determined to save it.

time-read
8 mins  |
March 07, 2025
Santa Fe mourns the mysterious loss of Gene Hackman
The Guardian Weekly

Santa Fe mourns the mysterious loss of Gene Hackman

As New Mexico authorities investigate the deaths of Gene Hackman and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, their adopted home town of Santa Fe is grappling with the mystery of what happened to the couple.

time-read
3 mins  |
March 07, 2025
Ramadan should be a time for reflection, not date-scented shopping
The Guardian Weekly

Ramadan should be a time for reflection, not date-scented shopping

Supermarkets have wheeled out the 20kg bags of rice. High-street stores have popped hijabs on mannequins. Cosmetic companies are churning out products scented with pomegranate, cardamom, saffron and “sticky date” - at Lush you can buy Salam shower gel, Noor lip butter and a massage bar that apparently smells like a turmeric latte. All this can only mean one thing in our modern, consumerist world: Ramadan is upon us.

time-read
3 mins  |
March 07, 2025
Days of Gracie
The Guardian Weekly

Days of Gracie

After dodging toxic fans, 'nepo baby' jibes and her own projectile vomit, pop star Gracie Abrams explains why she's writing about our uncertain future

time-read
6 mins  |
March 07, 2025
The Guardian Weekly

I'm upset by my troubled mother-in-law's extreme views

I've had a terrible run in with my mother-in-law and don't know what to do about it.

time-read
3 mins  |
March 07, 2025
Only connect - The NigerianAmerican author returns with an ambitious, astute and moving exploration of female experience
The Guardian Weekly

Only connect - The NigerianAmerican author returns with an ambitious, astute and moving exploration of female experience

Novels had always felt to me truer than what was real,\" declares a character in Dream Count, the highly anticipated new novel by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

time-read
3 mins  |
March 07, 2025
Labour's aid cuts are wrong morally - and economically, too
The Guardian Weekly

Labour's aid cuts are wrong morally - and economically, too

Get right down to it and there are two reasons for thinking that cuts to Britain's aid budget to pay for defence are a seriously bad idea.

time-read
3 mins  |
March 07, 2025