Editorial: The possible overturning of Roe vs Wade is only the most obvious of a broad range of progressive causes that could suffer setbacks
The US Supreme Court is a very different institution to our own High Court, having been the stage for many of America's most contentious and hard-fought battles over racial and gender equality, abortion, gun laws, campaign funding and LGBTQI rights.
That is why the political battle over who will pick the nominee to fill the Supreme Court seat left vacant by the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg is such a momentous moment for America. Before her passing, the composition of the nine-member US Supreme Court was finely balanced with four clear voices on the political left – including Ms Ginsburg – four on the right, and Chief Justice John Roberts, who despite his conservative leanings was a deciding vote in recent years in support of abortion, gay rights, immigration and health care.
If US President Donald Trump were to appoint Ms Ginsburg's replacement, his third since coming into office, it would tip the court decisively to the right. With the backing of the Republican-controlled Senate, which has the final say on Supreme Court appointments, he is within reach of enshrining lasting change that would endure long past his days in the presidency.
and tantalisingly close to changing the make-up of the Supreme Court like few before him, that is not a request Mr Trump was ever going to grant.Our weekly newsletter will deliver expert analysis of the race to the White House from our US correspondent Matthew Knott. Sign up for
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