Liz's Reviews > Stench: The Making of the Thomas Court and the Unmaking of America

As a born-again Democrat, David Brock cannot resist sounding feverish as he outlines the corruption of today’s Supreme Court, its barely concealed connections to right wing Christian nationalism, and the ways in which these developments have benefited Donald Trump. The tone is somewhat off putting for someone like me who doesn’t want to be drawn into tit-for-tat debates or what-aboutism, but I do understand his passion, on the eve of what might be the most consequential election of my lifetime. Brock traces the increasing tight relationships among the Federalist Society, Opus Dei, and Leonard Leo as intentional shapers of the Court; from that standpoint, the book reminded me a little of Jane Mayer’s ‘Dark Money,’ in that right wing intellectuals know how to play the long game and are patient enough to do it. The book revisits the very painful treatment received by Anita Hill at the hands of senators who should have known better, during the Clarence Thomas hearing. Once Trump accommodated these nationalist influencers by appointing Kavanagh, his hearing was Thomas revisited; Brock recounts the way the evidence was ignored (again) in that instance. As someone who was taken in by Thomas, Brock saves special ire for him—justifiably—and in the end he outlines eight counts for impeachment against the justice. These range by failure to disclose to conflict of interest, thanks to his activist wife’s actions. It’s a clear cut case, but will anyone take it up? In the meantime, the Supreme Court is one more American institution that seems undeserving of the American people’s faith and respect.