The country has become so divided, some scholars say, that leaders of the three branches are often more loyal to their parties than to their institutions.

T HE SUPREME COURT decided just 55 fully argued or “merits” cases in the term that ended on June 27th—the lowest total since the civil war, except for the covid-curtailed term of 2020. Yet the justices have been busier than ever.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote a scathing dissent of the court's ruling allowing for people to be deported to "potentially dangerous countries without notice."