FDR, Court Packing, and Reshaping American Democracy with Michael Nelson | BRI Scholar Talks

In this episode of BRI Scholar Talks, political scientist and author Michael Nelson joins host Tony Williams to explore Franklin D. Roosevelt’s court-packing plan and its significance in the history of American constitutional government.

Drawing from his book Vaulting Ambition: FDR, His Campaign to Pack the Supreme Court, Nelson examines how the proposal to expand the number of Supreme Court justices reflected a broader effort to shape the direction of federal institutions during a pivotal time in U.S. history. The conversation covers FDR’s leadership style, the reactions from Congress and the public, and the long-term impact of the plan on presidential power, party dynamics, and the balance among the three branches of government.