Welcome back to Barf Bag.

It’s been a hectic week for Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett. Early in the week, details from her upcoming book were leaked by CNN. In the book titled Listening to the Law: Reflections on the Court and Constitution, which is set to release this Tuesday, she defends the Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and the ensuing state-level abortion restrictions.

Late Thursday evening, she appeared in a discussion hosted by Bari Weiss, the founder of The Free Press. The event took place at Lincoln Center in New York City, a rather grand setting for the occasion. During the conversation, Justice Barrett emphasized that the American public should have confidence in the decisions made by her and her fellow justices.

Addressing the topic of a constitutional crisis, Barrett dismissed the notion that the country is currently facing one, despite the Trump administration‘s defiance of judicial orders and attempts to deport individuals without proper hearings. “I don’t know what a constitutional crisis would look like. I don’t think that we are currently in one,” she affirmed. “Our country remains dedicated to the rule of law, and our courts are functioning effectively,” Barrett added.

When Bari Weiss questioned the dwindling public trust in the Supreme Court—a drop from 70% approval in August 2020 to 48% recently, as per Pew polls—Barrett responded:

“I want the American public to trust the Court as an institution of integrity,” she stated. “It’s not that the Court is infallible, nor am I beyond criticism. But I believe we are earnestly trying to make the right decisions.”

Despite the conservative majority’s controversial rulings on issues like a stringent Texas abortion law, firearm regulations, environmental guidelines, and presidential immunity, Barrett expressed indifference toward criticism from right-wing figures after siding with liberal justices in several cases.

“In this role, indifference to criticism is essential,” she mentioned. “One must have a thick skin.”

She also noted that she avoids social media, relying on her husband and an assistant to filter information that she needs to know.

This week also saw Bari Weiss in headlines regarding a potential acquisition of her publication by Paramount‘s new leadership, potentially placing her at the helm of CBS News. This move is speculated to be influenced by new CEO David Ellison, a supporter of the Trump administration during significant corporate mergers.

It’s a troubling time indeed.

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Looking Ahead to 2028, spotlight on Senator Cory Booker:

If I were Cory Booker’s lookalike beard for his inevitable presidential campaign, I’d demand at least five carats https://t.co/3pBGf6goCi

— not actually Molly Gordon (@thenoasletter) September 3, 2025

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More reasons to gripe:

• President Donald Trump is reportedly maneuvering to derail New York City Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani‘s campaign by tempting current mayor Eric Adams with a diplomatic position, potentially thinning the competition with independent candidate Andrew Cuomo.
• The Department of Justice is considering a controversial ban on transgender individuals owning firearms following a recent shooting incident. Critics argue this approach misses broader issues.
• In Washington, D.C., grand juries have been notably reluctant to indict individuals accused of threatening Trump.
• Florida is set to eliminate all vaccine mandates for public school attendance, prompting renewed calls for mask-wearing in crowded settings.
• The Trump family’s new cryptocurrency venture claims a whopping $5 billion valuation—on paper.
• Amidst accusations of mortgage fraud by Trump, it’s revealed that three of his own cabinet members hold multiple mortgages.
• House Republicans are initiating yet another probe into the events of January 6.
• Trump plans to bestow the Presidential Medal of Freedom on his controversial attorney, Rudy Giuliani.
• Amidst rumors of chaos at the White House, Trump hints at AI manipulation in leaked footage.
• Media battle: Newsmax files a lawsuit against Fox News for allegedly stifling competition on the right.
• In Michigan, Senate candidate Haley Stevens (D) mistakenly boasts a non-existent endorsement.

This has been your weekly Barf Bag, thanks for tuning in!

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