As one of the smallest Supreme Courts in the world, do nine justices fairly represent the diversity of views in the US? Host Claire Graham talks to the BBC's senior North American reporter Anthony Zurcher about how the ratio of republican to democratic judges has changed over time. The controversy over lifetime tenures of justices is discussed with no set term limits or mandatory retirement ages and we find out why historical court decisions are being overturned. Produced by Cathy Young for the BBC World Service.
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So how did it happen?
Well, actually, that's a really important question.
The two countries were essentially enemies.
That is, of course, an allegation that has been leveled.
Everybody had a different definition of what the problem was.
Let's remember the background of all this.
Hello, I'm Claire Graham.
Welcome to the Explanation from the BBC World Service, where we ask the big questions and try to get you the answers.
Legal abortion and demand legal.
As news broke of the Supreme Court's ruling, protests erupted across America.
Abortion became illegal automatically in some states.
In others, bans were swiftly signed into effect and clinics closed.
A judge must be independent and must.
Interpret the law, not make the law.
And a judge must interpret the Constitution.
As written, informed by history and tradition and precedent.
For too long, our government, our courts, haven't looked like America.