Wertheimer Political Report, May 7, 2026
DEMOCRACY 21
John Roberts issues warning on Supreme Court overruling precedent.
This is the same Chief Justice Roberts who wrote and joined opinions that overruled major Supreme Court precedents dealing with our political system and helped reshape the system in favor of concentrated wealth, discriminatory voting rights and greatly expanded executive power Those include the opinions in Citizens United, McCutcheon, Shelby County and Callais. See this and next week’s Notes.
Chief Justice Roberts also wrote the opinion in Trump v. United States giving presidents unprecedented sweeping immunity for official acts and unquestionable authority to control the Justice Department. The Roberts position, in essence, contradicted the Founders’ foundational principle that no person is above the law and the Constitution they wrote to ensure that we would never have another king-like figure.
The Republican-appointed majority also overruled Roe v Wade and other Court decisions and has had no problem overruling precedents when they go against the ideology of the Roberts majority. One new test is coming soon dealing with the issue of whether a President has complete authority over the executive branch and therefore whether so-called independent agencies are no longer independent. Let’s see what the Chief Justice and his majority do in this case.
TRUMPWATCH 2.0
Poll finds broad rejection of religion-related messages from Trump, Hegseth.
“‘Americans rate Pope Leo positively but are deeply critical of the president’s social media post that appeared to depict him as Jesus, the Post-ABC-Ipsos poll found.” – Washington Post
Dissatisfaction with President Trump’s Handling of Iran Up… Trump Approval Rating in High 30s.
“An increasing proportion of Americans now report they disapprove of how President Donald Trumps is handling Iran, and more than six in ten say U.S. military action in Iran has done more harm than good. Though his overall job approval rating remains in the high 30s, dissatisfaction with how President Trump is handling the economy has inched up. ” – Marist Poll
Supreme Court yet to decide on Election Day, Trump firings.
“Already a major term, the justices have dozens of cases to decide before the recess.” – Roll Call
Silent no more, Jack Smith calls out Trump’s ‘corrupted’ Justice Department.
“The prosecutor wasn’t able to make his case in court, but months later, he’s bringing his arguments to the public in forceful and unrestrained ways.” – MS Now
Obama: Attorney general is ‘not the president’s consigliere’.
“Former President Obama on Tuesday warned against allowing the attorney general to become the president’s ‘consigliere,’ emphasizing the need for the nation’s top prosecutor to remain independent of political influence.” – The Hill
FBI probing leaks to journalist who wrote explosive article on Kash Patel, sources say.
“MS NOW has learned that agents are investigating the Atlantic reporter who wrote a detailed story of Patel’s alleged heavy drinking and erratic behavior.” – MS Now
False claims and a Comey comparison: Southern Poverty Law Center goes on offense.
“Court filings ahead of the civil rights group’s arraignment highlight what the defense called the “unprecedented” nature of the prosecution.” – MS Now
I Reached Out to the White House Counterterrorism Czar for Comment. He Lashed Out on X.
“Sebastian Gorka accused a ProPublica reporter of writing a ‘putrid piece of hackery’ about him. Here’s how basic beat reporting led to a broader story about the state of the U.S. counterterrorism mission at a critical moment.” – ProPublica
Today, the Voting Rights Act. Tomorrow, the Civil Rights Act.
“The logic that Justice Samuel Alito used to neuter a key section of the Voting Rights Act could also be used to nullify the Civil Rights Act.” – MS Now
MEANWHILE, ON CAPITOL HILL
Senate GOP fears $1B for White House ballroom represents political landmine. – The Hill
GOP emerges from ‘hell week’ with deep divisions between Senate and House. They pulled off legislative wins, but some complain of ‘no respect. – Roll Call
Former Ohio State official testified he doesn’t believe Rep. Jim Jordan’s denials about Strauss abuse. The testimony was included in thousands of pages of unsealed sworn depositions in the ongoing lawsuit alleging OSU failed to protect students from an abusive campus doctor. – NBC News
Ex-FBI agents say Grassley played improper role in their firings. – The Hill
MONEY IN POLITICS, VOTING, ELECTION & OTHER RELATED INFO
Tennessee Republicans unveil new map that would dismantle lone Democratic seat. Move follows Supreme Court decision limiting use of race in congressional redistricting. – Roll Call
Andy Beshear won twice in Trump country. Now he wants to show Democrats how to do it everywhere. As DGA chair — and a potential 2028 contender — Andy Beshear is betting that results matter more than resistance. But can that message unite a fractured party? – MS Now
The Supreme Court had a chance to limit partisan gerrymandering, but has instead turbocharged it. A 2019 ruling ended hopes of reining in partisan gerrymandering via the courts. Now, the conservative majority has gone even further. – NBC News
Tracking the DOJ’s effort to get U.S. voter registration data. The Department of Justice has asked state officials to provide voter names, dates of birth, residential addresses, driver’s licenses and Social Security data. – NBC News
Becerra’s rise baffles his former Biden colleagues. Biden White House alumni have been marveling at Becerra’s stroke of luck in the California gubernatorial race. – Politico
