How the GOP is Trying to Steal the 2026 Midterms

<p>Melissa and guest co-host Imani Gandy of Rewire News Group break down the week’s legal happenings, including how Texas Democrats are attempting to thwart that state’s gerrymandering efforts, college admissions in the age of Trump, and more Epstein fallout. Then, Melissa chats with Duke Law Professor Brandon Garrett about his book, <a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/defending-due-process-why-fairness-matters-in-a-polarized-world-brandon-l-garrett/21579641?ean=9781509563876&amp;next=t">Defending Due Process: Why Fairness Matters in a Polarized World</a>. Finally, Leah speaks with University of Michigan Law Professor Richard Primus, author of the new book<a href="https://www.hup.harvard.edu/books/9780674293595"> The Oldest Constitutional Question: Enumeration and Federal Power</a>. Check out Imani’s podcast <a href="https://rewirenewsgroup.com/boom-lawyered/">Boom! Lawyered</a>.</p><p>Hosts’ Favorite Things:</p><p>Melissa: <a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/tom-lake/286128b923b309ba?ean=9788410138568&amp;next=t">Tom Lake</a>, Ann Patchett; <a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-midnight-library-matt-haig/15008109?ean=9780525559498&amp;next=t">The Midnight Library</a>, Matt Haig; <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/03/books/review/summer-of-our-discontent-thomas-chatterton-williams.html">How the George Floyd Protests Changed America, for Better and Worse</a>, Justin Driver (NYT)</p><p>Imani: Palisade Peaches; <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1837642/"><i>Revenge</i></a>; <a href="https://www.playstation.com/en-us/games/death-stranding/">Death Stranding</a>; <a href="https://www.britbox.com/">Brit Box</a></p><p><br />Get tickets for STRICT SCRUTINY LIVE – The Bad Decisions Tour 2025! </p><p>10/4 – Chicago</p><p></p><p>Learn more:<a href="http://crooked.com/events"> http://crooked.com/events</a></p><p>Get tickets to CROOKED CON November 6-7 in Washington, D.C at <a href="http://crookedcon.com/">http://crookedcon.com</a></p><p>Buy Leah's book,<a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Lawless/Leah-Litman/9781668054628"> Lawless: How the Supreme Court Runs on Conservative Grievance, Fringe Theories, and Bad Vibes</a></p><p>Follow us on<a href="https://www.instagram.com/strictscrutinypodcast/?hl=en"> Instagram</a>,<a href="https://www.threads.net/@strictscrutinypodcast"> Threads</a>, and<a href="https://bsky.app/profile/strictscrutiny.bsky.social"> Bluesky</a></p><p></p><p>Get tickets for STRICT SCRUTINY LIVE – The Bad Decisions Tour 2025! </p><ul>

<li>3/6/26 – San Francisco</li>

<li>3/7/26 – Los Angeles</li>

</ul><p></p><p>Learn more: <a href="http://crooked.com/events">http://crooked.com/events</a></p><p>Order your copy of Leah's book, <a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Lawless/Leah-Litman/9781668054628">Lawless: How the Supreme Court Runs on Conservative Grievance, Fringe Theories, and Bad Vibes</a></p><p>Follow us on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/strictscrutinypodcast/?hl=en">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.threads.net/@strictscrutinypodcast">Threads</a>, and <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/strictscrutiny.bsky.social">Bluesky</a></p>