Dispatches: Five Essential Reads From the Past Week
A collection of some of our most important and timely stories, from an interview with California State Senator Kevin De León to a report on the latest dire global climate summary.
Supreme Court
What You Need to Know About the ACLU's Case Against the Mandatory Detention of Immigrants
The case—Brett Kavanaugh's first as a Supreme Court justice—deals with mandatory detention laws to keep immigrants in prisons during trials, even if they aren't a public danger or flight risk.
What Does Kavanaugh's Confirmation Mean for Women's Reproductive Rights?
The deeply conservative judge's position on the court is one of many threats toward abortion rights.
The Supreme Court Nomination That Tore the Country Apart
The ascendence of Brett Kavanaugh levied considerable damage to all three branches of government.
Brett Kavanaugh's Confirmation Is a Blow to the #MeToo Movement
The conservative judge's confirmation was nearly derailed by allegations of sexual misconduct and partisanship. His confirmation highlights the limits of the #MeToo movement.
The Most Competitive High Schools Don't Guarantee Success. What About Ones Like Georgetown Prep?
Research suggests that being surrounded by well-off peers in not-too-intense academic environments can lead to lifetime gains.
Dispatches: A Historic Supreme Court Confirmation Hearing
News and notes from Pacific Standard staff and contributors.
Who Would Win a Battle Between a Liberal Congress and a Conservative Supreme Court?
Research suggests threats from Capitol Hill can make key justices skittish about overturning popular legislation.
The Lede, Issue #35: A Historic Supreme Court Confirmation Hearing, Blood Orange, Homelessness in L.A., and More
An exclusive newsletter that brings premium members Pacific Standard stories, staff, and contributors directly to their inbox on a regular basis.
The Troubling History of Rushed Supreme Court Confirmations
The hurried and partisan Supreme Court confirmation process for Brett Kavanaugh mirrors several notable examples of similarly politicized confirmations from our past.
Kavanaugh's Trip to the Twilight Zone
A legal scholar dissects Thursday's emotionally charged Brett Kavanaugh confirmation hearing.
For Ford, Could the Senate Hearings Open Up Old Wounds?
Research shows that the trauma of sexual assault lingers for victims, and ruminating over the memory of an assault could re-traumatize survivors.
Why Kavanaugh Should Welcome an FBI Investigation
A legal scholar argues the judge's credibility is lower than Christine Blasey Ford's—and that's exactly why he'd be wise to embrace an independent evaluation of the assault allegation.
Should Trump Cut His Losses With Kavanaugh?
It might seem like an extreme move, but it wouldn't be unprecedented.
Key Takeaways From Supreme Court Nominee Brett Kavanaugh's Controversial Emails
Here's what you need to know about the confidential documents that Democratic senators have released to the public.
The Ever-Present History of 'Getting Borked'
Allegations of meddling in Brett Kavanaugh's nomination have resurfaced a decades-old smear campaign on the court—one that conservatives are still salty about.
What's at Stake If Brett Kavanaugh Ascends to the Supreme Court
It's about Roe v. Wade, as well as the myriad protections supporters say flow from the 1973 Supreme Court decision.
A Poll Finds Support for Brett Kavanaugh's Supreme Court Nomination to Be Among the Lowest in History
As Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh sat to begin his Senate hearings on Tuesday, a poll found that Americans' support for President Donald Trump's pick are historically low.
Disability Rights Groups Come Out Strong Against Kavanaugh's SCOTUS Nomination
The groups' opposition hinges on Kavanaugh's general distrust of social programs critical to disabled Americans.
Viewfinder: Protesters Gather on Capitol Hill to Oppose Supreme Court Judge Nominee Brett Kavanaugh
Protesters gathered outside the office of Senator John Thune (R-South Dakota) prior to a scheduled meeting between Thune and Kavanaugh.
The Supreme Court Wrestles With Americans' Right to Privacy in the Digital Age
A recent decision by the Court is a win for Fourth Amendment advocates, but there are still many avenues for law enforcement to track Americans without a warrant online.
The Supreme Court Refuses to Stop a Climate Change Lawsuit Brought by Children and Teenagers
The Supreme Court on Monday denied the Trump administration's request to halt a lawsuit that represents a novel attempt by children and teenagers to sue the federal government over its inaction on climate change.
Dispatches: On Trump's Decision to Tap Brett Kavanaugh for the Supreme Court
News and notes from Pacific Standard staff and contributors.