Late June marks the end of the Supreme Court term—a moment when some of the most consequential decisions in American life are handed down. At stake are rulings that could reshape democracy and redefine or limit civil rights. Still pending: major cases on the future of birthright citizenship, transgender rights, the Affordable Care Act’s coverage of preventive care services, and more. This week, Stacey sits down with Leah Litman, University of Michigan law professor, co-host of Strict Scrutiny, and New York Times bestselling author of Lawless, to break down SCOTUS’ latest decisions and preview what to expect in these last days — what they mean and why they matter. Then, Stacey is joined by journalist and TransLash Media founder, Imara Jones, for a deep dive into one ruling’s direct impact on the transgender community, how it causes harm, why it’s a proof of concept for the right, and how we fight back.

Stacey also weighs in on a tragedy close to home in Georgia, three years after the Supreme Court stripped millions of women of their civil rights in the Dobbs decision. Adriana Smith was a nurse and young mother who suddenly fell very ill. After she went untreated for brain clots, she was declared brain dead. But she was also pregnant, and due to Georgia’s inhumane abortion laws, her family was forced to keep her on life support to incubate her pregnancy. Last week, Adriana was finally taken off life support after her forced birth was delivered via C-section. As states continue to eviscerate abortion rights and put lives at risk, inaction is unacceptable. This week’s tool kit is about how to fight on.

Learn & Do More:

1. Be Curious: We must renew our attention to the ever-present issue of abortion rights. There are many excellent resources for keeping up on abortion-related news. Jessica Valenti’s substack, Abortion, Every Day, rigorously covers attacks on reproductive rights across the country. The Center for Reproductive Rights has a useful guide outlining abortion laws by state so that you can better understand your rights.
2. Solve Problems: According to the Mayo Clinic, half of all U.S. states have laws on the books that invalidate a pregnant woman's wishes about her medical care if she becomes incapacitated, and a majority of states don't disclose these restrictions in advance directive forms. Your state legislators are the first line of defense against laws like these, and any laws that threaten abortion access. Call them and ask them to take action.
3. Do Good: Donate to the National Network of Abortion Funds and Planned Parenthood. Abortion funds directly finance abortion care for those in need, and Planned Parenthood has remained a lifeline for people seeking the full spectrum of reproductive healthcare access. You can also research local opportunities to support doulas who provide physical, emotional, and logistical support to women during the abortion process. Depending on where you live, training opportunities may also be available.

Outside of the scope of abortion care, we must also support members of the trans community, especially in light of recent attacks. As discussed with Imara, the Trump administration shut down its LGBTQ suicide prevention hotline. Please visit The Trevor Project, an organization that focuses on suicide prevention for LGBTQ young people, to donate and find out more about how you can get involved. And make sure to research opportunities to get involved with local LGBTQ organizations. You can also check out the Transgender Family Handbook by New York Magazine’s The Cut, an excellent resource for parents and others who want to support young trans loved ones.

Last week, ICE stormed through Los Angeles, raiding Home Depots, warehouses, and schools in a cruel, targeted crackdown on undocumented immigrants. Those raids sparked a wave of protests as thousands of Angelenos marched through downtown, denouncing the Trump administration’s unjust actions. What began as largely peaceful demonstrations escalated after Trump defied both the California governor and LA mayor by deploying the National Guard and the Marines to the city. It was a deliberate show of force and a warning to other blue states: this is what happens when you resist. But LA didn’t back down. Over the weekend, Angelenos joined millions of other demonstrators in every state for the No King’s protests, while Trump held an underwhelming military parade on the streets of Washington DC. It’s a stark contrast in a moment when we must continue to stand up to the onslaught anti-Democratic power grabs and strongman tactics. This week, Stacey sits down with MSNBC's senior Washington correspondent and co-host of MSNBC's the Weekend, Eugene Daniels and Immigrant Defenders Law Center (IMMDEF) attorney Yliana Johansen-Méndez to help us unpack what's happening right now and prepare for what's coming next.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

Learn & Do More:

1. Be Curious: To better understand the current national debate around immigration, our June Assembly Required reading recommendation is “The End of Asylum” by Philip G. Schrag, Andrew I. Schoenholtz, and Jaya Ramji-Nogales. These leading immigration law experts trace the evolution of the U.S. asylum system and expose how the Trump administration dismantled America’s long-standing role as a refuge for the persecuted. And as Eugene mentioned, watch your local news, subscribe to your local paper, and stay plugged into what's happening in your own community. To learn more about how you can support local journalism, visit the American Journalism Project at www.theajp.org.
2. Solve Problems: As the rule of law continues to erode, it’s more important than ever to support those on the front lines—legal aid organizations, researchers, and advocates serving immigrant communities. Find out how you can get involved and make a difference in your own area. If you're in Southern California, connect with our guest Yliana’s organization, the Immigrant Defenders Law Center, at www.immdef.org.
3. Do Good: Protest works—but not everyone can take to the streets. Start where you are and use what you have. If you're on social media, amplify the voices and stories of those directly impacted by the Trump administration’s campaign of fear. If you’re able to volunteer, find a local organization supporting immigrants and get involved. If you would like to contribute directly to a detained immigrants bond fund, you can visit Clue Justice at https://www.cluejustice.org/support-the-detained-immigrant-bond-fund/ Every action counts.

Winning elections starts now, and that’s only the beginning. The way we get our news has always evolved, and today we face a fractured media landscape that makes it harder to reach people consistently. The American right has often been at the forefront of navigating these waters by finding compelling messengers and putting them on new platforms that reach voters, from the rise of talk radio in the 80s to Fox News, TikTok and YouTube today. That innovation has too often led to domination of these information ecosystems, and we can see the impact in the results of the 2024 election, especially with young voters. Meanwhile, the Democratic Party is lagging behind, struggling to connect authentically with the growing number of people who get their information on social platforms. Instead of copying the right’s strategies, it's time to listen to the people who actually know how to use these platforms. Stacey sits down with two standout voices shaping the future of political content online: journalist and political commentator Aaron Parnas, and Gen Z historian Kahlil Greene. They break down how they stay ahead of the curve, what makes social media truly effective for change, and why understanding people—not just platforms—is the key to being heard.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

Learn & Do More:

1. Be Curious: Getting your news from social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, or Twitter isn’t wrong—in fact, it can be a fast and convenient way to stay informed throughout your busy day. The key is to follow credible creators you trust, like Aaron and Kahlil, and always take a moment to fact-check what you’re seeing. Stay curious, but stay smart.
2. Solve Problems: Skip the doomscrolling. What starts as “just a few minutes” on TikTok can quickly spiral into hours lost in an endless feed of chaotic news. Break the cycle by sandwiching your screen time with something grounding—take a walk, read a few pages of a book, or unwind with a new show or movie. Give your mind a reset.
3. Do Good: Support your favorite content creators beyond the scroll. Many political commentators have blogs, websites, or Substack pages where they dive deeper into the stories they summarize in under a minute. Following them on these platforms helps you get the full picture—and helps them keep doing what they do best. Follow Stacey’s new Substack, Assembly Notes where she dives into some topics we cover on the show and topics that come up in between episodes.

Recommendations:

Stacey Abrams recommends the podcast “Landslide” from WFAE and NPR.

Kahlil Greene recommends “The Cruel Kids Table”by Brock Colyar at New York Magazine.