The latest term of the U.S. Supreme Court will include blockbuster cases on two of the most contentious topics in American life: abortion and gun rights. The cases come at a time when the court has a majority of Republican appointees and as it battles accusations of politicization. Why is the public perception of the court so important? And how deeply could the coming rulings affect the fabric of American society? Guest: Adam Liptak, a reporter covering the United States Supreme Court for The New York Times.