Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Chris Hayes Just Made An Important Point About The Timing Of Justice Kennedy's Retirement

Chris Hayes Just Made An Important Point About The Timing Of Justice Kennedy's Retirement
Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images

Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy announced his retirement on Wednesday, handing President Donald Trump a massive opportunity to sway the nation's highest court further to the right.


Kennedy was appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1987 and was considered a "swing" vote on the court because of his willingness to side with both liberal and conservative justices.

MSNBC's Chris Hayes, host of All In With Chris Hayes, tore into Kennedy Wednesday afternoon, opining that Kennedy "handing his seat over to Trump is the most perfect example *ever* about how "the GOP has completely become the "party of Trump."

"Kennedy looks down from SCOTUS and sees the man in the White House and says, "'Yes. Him. I want him to be the one to choose my replacement.'"

Kennedy's decision came right after the court effectively gutted public sector unions, ruling that requiring public employees to pay union dues was unconstitutional.

Trump's appointment will certainly be young, very conservative, and side with the court's four other right-wing justices. With this comes the real possibility that the Affordable Care Act could face more gutting, a now likely overturning of Roe v. Wade, and even a potential reversal of marriage equality, for which Kennedy cast the deciding vote ruling that same-sex marriage is a constitutionally protected right.

The Voting Rights Act is at risk too, and the court ruled on Monday that gerrymandered Texas congressional districts could remain in place, despite their obvious partisan boundaries.

Hopes that Senate Democrats could delay the appointment of a new justice are fleeting, because Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) changed the confirmation rules in 2016 following the death of Justice Antonin Scalia.

Trump said on Wednesday afternoon he plans on getting a new justice nominated and confirmed before November's midterms, and there's little reason to believe McConnell will hold himself to his own standard or wait for the people to cast their votes.

McConnell effectively stole a court seat from President Barack Obama, claiming that it was too close to the presidential election and that the American people should decide.

More from Trending

Paul Mescal in 'Gladiator II' Parody
Saturday Night Live/YouTube

Paul Mescal Wows 'SNL' Fans With His Singing Chops In Musical 'Gladiator II' Parody

We've all heard the saying, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it," and we've certainly all heard advice about doing what's working for others, in the hopes of it working for us, too.

With the whirlwind of popularity surrounding Wicked and Moana 2 right now, it wouldn't be at all surprising to see more musical adaptations surge onto the scene in the hopes of riding their coattails of success.

Keep ReadingShow less
Jake Tapper; Markwayne Mullin
CNN

Jake Tapper Expertly Rips MAGA Rep's Defense Of Pete Hegseth's 'Drinking Problem'

CNN reporter Jake Tapper expertly shut down GOP Oklahoma Representative Markwayne Mullin's defense of Pete Hegseth's qualifications as a potential nominee for Secretary of Defense.

Hegseth, a former Fox and Friends weekend co-host, was selected by President-elect Donald Trump to join his cabinet as U.S. Secretary of Defense despite his lack of experience in global defense.

Keep ReadingShow less
2025 calendar with tweet overlayed reading: "We are so doomed"
Pakin Songmor/GettyImages; @Haywhyforyou/X

People Just Noticed An Ominous Detail About The 2025 Calendar—And Oh Dear

Christmas is already around the corner. Can you believe it?

This time each year, many of us are SMH-ing over the fact that another year has sped by as the holidays following Halloween hit us in rapid succession.

Keep ReadingShow less
Anok Yai; Alex Consani
Dave Benett/Getty Images; Dave Benett/Getty Images

Supermodel Sparks Debate With Reaction To Losing 'Model Of The Year' Award To Trans Model

Model Anok Yai sparked quite the debate on social media after she said she was "exhausted" and proceeded to call out the British Fashion Council after they awarded the 2024 Model of the Year award to trans model Alex Consani.

Consani, the first out trans model to ever win Model of the Year, expressed her excitement on Instagram, sharing celebratory photos and videos accompanied by the captions:

Keep ReadingShow less
Jonathan Bennett; Jonathan Bennett as Aaron Samuels in 'Mean Girls'
Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images; Paramount Pictures

Jonathan Bennett Reveals He Wasn't First Choice For 'Mean Girls' Role With Wild Story

Most of us have applied for at least one dream job, only for it to be offered to someone else. But sometimes the story doesn't end with the job offer; in fact, we might get another chance at that job or even something better.

And according to Veronica Mars actor Jonathan Bennett, this concept can be applied to acting gigs, as well.

Keep ReadingShow less