Michael Waldman

Michael Waldman is the President and CEO of the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law, a nonpartisan law and policy institute dedicated to enhancing democracy and justice systems. Under his leadership since 2005, the Brennan Center has emerged as a prominent national advocate on crucial issues such as voting rights, campaign finance, criminal justice reform, and constitutional law. With his expertise as a constitutional lawyer and writer specializing in the presidency and American democracy, Waldman brings extensive experience to his role. Notably, he served as the Director of Speechwriting for President Bill Clinton from 1995 to 1999, crafting and editing nearly two thousand speeches, including State of the Union addresses and inaugural speeches. Moreover, Waldman was a member of the Presidential Commission on the Supreme Court of the United States in 2021.

Waldman is an accomplished author, with his forthcoming book, “The Supermajority: How the Supreme Court Divided America” (Simon & Schuster, June 6, 2023), shedding light on the profound impact of the court’s decisions during the 2022–2023 term. The book examines pivotal cases like Dobbs, Bruen, and West Virginia v. EPA, which have significantly reshaped American politics. In “The Supermajority,” Waldman analyzes the court’s accumulation of power, its detachment from public opinion, and its reliance on a radical “originalism” approach. Drawing parallels with past controversial courts, he proposes a way forward. Praised by Kirkus Reviews as “a damning account of a Supreme Court gone wildly activist in shredding the Constitution” and deemed “nothing less than a public service” by Jane Mayer of The New Yorker, this book promises to provoke important conversations.

Furthermore, Waldman has authored several influential books, including “The Fight to Vote” (Simon & Schuster, 2016, reissued in 2022), a comprehensive history of the struggle for voting rights. Acknowledged by The Washington Post as notable nonfiction, it underscores the enduring power of democracy when the people demand it. Waldman’s other notable work, “The Second Amendment: A Biography” (Simon & Schuster, 2014), received critical acclaim for its rigorous yet accessible exploration of this contentious constitutional topic. His extensive media appearances on popular platforms like 60 Minutes, CBS Evening News, and NPR, as well as his contributions to prominent publications such as The New York Times and Politico, further cement Waldman’s reputation as an authoritative and influential voice in the fields of policy, presidency, and law.