The Hopkins Forum: A Debate on the Future of the Supreme Court
Topics: Law, U.S.
Public Release Date: February 7, 2025
The Hopkins Forum, a new nonpartisan debate series from Johns Hopkins University and Open to Debate, is hosting its first debate and taking a close look at the highest court in the land and its future.
In the past year, multiple proposals have been suggested to change the way the Supreme Court operates. While the Justices enjoy lifetime tenure, term limits have been discussed in policy circles as a way to bring fresh and diverse perspectives to the bench. Others have suggested similar objectives might be achieved by expanding the number of seats on the Court. In addition, recent controversies have highlighted flaws in the Court’s self-policed ethics code, raising calls for external oversight and reform.
In our "Unresolved" format, a former Attorney General, a former member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, a former co-chair of President Biden’s Presidential Commission on the Supreme Court, and a law professor and Supreme Court commentator will debate term limits, expanding the Supreme Court, and whether external ethics codes should be applied.
EXPERTS:
The Honorable Jeff Sessions: Former U.S. Attorney General and Senator
Jamal Greene: Dwight Professor of Law at Columbia Law School; Supreme Court Commentator
Cristina Rodríguez: Former Co-Chair of the Presidential Commission on the Supreme Court of the United States; Professor at Yale Law School
Ambassador Jeff Flake: Former Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee
MODERATOR-IN-CHIEF:
John Donvan: Emmy award-winning journalist
I am new to this forum, so I have missed the initial discussions. Lifetime appointments to judicial positions, including SCOTUS, are NOT beneficial to the country. We are a nation of evolving demographics, behavioral norms, and, importantly, technology. Viewing the past decade of judicial rulings, many of our judges are overtly political. This is particularly noticeable in SCOTUS rulings that have taken on a decidedly political, conservative Christian tone.