Answering your questions about the Supreme Court

Justice Stephen Breyer is retiring from the U.S. Supreme Court. As President Joe Biden prepares to announce his nominee to replace Justice Beyer, Supreme Court watchers are waiting to see if the nominee is a Black woman, as some Democrats and progressives are calling for.

A nomination is the perfect occasion to take a close look at the court itself — its creation, history and controversy. What was the thinking behind nine justices? How does the confirmation process work? What does it mean for the Senate to “advise and consent” on nominees? Who has gone underrepresented on the high court and what does that mean for our laws?

MPR News host Angela Davis speaks with two constitutional law professors who answer your questions about the Supreme Court.

Guests:

• Alan Rozenshtein is an associate professor of law at the University of Minnesota Law School, where he teaches constitutional law, criminal procedure and courses on legislation, regulation and cybersecurity law.

• T. Anansi Wilson is an associate professor of constitutional and criminal law at Mitchell Hamline School of Law. They teach courses in constitutional civil liberties and criminal procedure and seminars including “Race, Law & Sexuality.”

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.

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