The Majority Report with Sam Seder - Episode 2255 Summary

Title: Mamdani Wins! Good Riddance Cuomo! The Skrmetti Ruling w/ David Weigel and Chase Strangio
Host: Sam Seder
Guests: Dave Weigel (National Political Affairs Correspondent, Semaphore), Chase Strangio (Co-Director, ACLU LGBTQ HIV Rights Project & Plaintiff's Attorney, U.S. vs. Scormetti)
Release Date: June 25, 2025

1. Zoran Mamdani's Landslide Victory in the NYC Democratic Mayoral Primary

Overview of the Election Results

The episode opens with Sam Seder announcing a significant political shift in New York City politics: Zoran Mamdani has decisively defeated incumbent Andrew Cuomo in the first round of the Democratic mayoral primary. Seder highlights the unexpectedly large margin of victory and emphasizes the remarkable turnout, noting a [05:33] increase of over 20% in voter participation compared to the previous primary.

Key Factors Behind Mamdani's Success

Sam Seder and Emma Vigland discuss the overwhelming support Mamdani received, despite initial expectations that he might only tie with Cuomo. Seder remarks, "He won despite his platform," acknowledging skepticism but recognizing the strength of Mamdani's campaign efforts [05:33].

Dave Weigel joins the discussion to provide an in-depth analysis. He explains that while Cuomo was considered the front-runner, his low popularity and high negatives—such as legal issues and public dissatisfaction—created an opening for Mamdani. Weigel points out that most polls underestimated Mamdani's potential, with only one poll by Public Policy Polling accurately reflecting the intense competition [25:03].

Campaign Strategies and Voting Dynamics

Weigel elaborates on Mamdani's effective use of social media and grassroots mobilization, citing that over [05:35] 50,000 volunteers knocked on more than a million doors across NYC. This significant outreach effort was coupled with public matching funds, which allowed Mamdani to coordinate volunteers effectively and maximize voter engagement.

Emphasizing the role of endorsements, Weigel notes that prominent figures like Brad Lander and other progressive leaders rallied behind Mamdani, facilitating a broader coalition that included both progressives and traditional liberals [35:04]. He highlights Mamdani's ability to communicate directly and handle challenging topics, such as his nuanced stance on Israel, which appealed to a diverse voter base [35:08].

Implications for New York City and the Democratic Party

The conversation transitions to the national implications of Mamdani's victory. Weigel suggests that Democrats will need to reevaluate their strategies, especially considering potential challenges in endorsing Cuomo and navigating the uneasy support within the party [37:19]. He anticipates that Mamdani's tempered approach—focusing on policy rather than positioning himself as a future national leader—will influence how Democratic candidates manage internal party dynamics moving forward [38:19].

2. Legal Perspective: United States v. Scormetti and Its Impact on Transgender Healthcare

Overview of the Case

Chase Strangio joins the program to discuss the landmark case United States vs. Skremetti, where the ACLU, alongside Lambda Legal and the Biden administration, challenged Tennessee's ban on gender-affirming healthcare for minors. Filed in March 2023, the lawsuit contends that Tennessee's law violates the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment by discriminating against transgender youth [46:43].

Supreme Court's Ruling and Legal Reasoning

Strangio explains that the Supreme Court ruled against the plaintiffs, determining that the Tennessee law does not constitute sex-based discrimination, thereby denying the application of heightened scrutiny [48:59]. This decision diverges from established precedent, such as United States v. Virginia, which mandates heightened scrutiny for all gender-based classifications [52:28].

Critiquing the majority opinion, Strangio argues that the Court misinterpreted the law's intent and impact, effectively allowing broader discrimination against transgender individuals by sidestepping the requirement to apply heightened scrutiny [54:17]. He highlights that this ruling sets a troubling precedent, indicating the Court's willingness to limit constitutional protections for marginalized communities [55:04].

Implications for Transgender Healthcare and Future Legislation

The episode delves into the broader implications of the ruling. Strangio warns that this decision emboldens states to impose further restrictions on gender-affirming care, not just for minors but potentially extending to adults as well. He cites recent moves by states like Oklahoma and Florida to restrict such treatments for adults, indicating a trend towards escalating bans [58:41].

Discussing legislative efforts, Strangio mentions the ongoing budget bills in Congress that aim to nationalize these bans, particularly targeting Medicaid funding for gender-affirming care. He expresses concern over the legal challenges these measures will face, especially considering the restrictive interpretation of the 14th Amendment by the current Supreme Court [61:10].

Personal and Community Impact

Strangio poignantly describes the real-world impact on families, sharing the struggles of those who have had to relocate to access necessary medical care for their transgender children due to state-imposed bans. He underscores the emotional and psychological toll on both the youth and their families, emphasizing the urgent need for robust legal defenses [55:40].

Notable Quotes

• Sam Seder [05:35]: "He won despite his platform."

• Dave Weigel [25:03]: "Mamdani's consolidating support when people said, yeah, I'm going to vote for him."

• Chase Strangio [48:25]: "The majority had to distort both logic and precedent to reach the conclusion that this law, which on its face mentions sex 18 times, was not sex-based discrimination."

• Chase Strangio [58:41]: "We can anticipate the escalation of care bans to reach care for adults."

Conclusion

Episode 2255 of The Majority Report with Sam Seder delivers a comprehensive analysis of two pivotal events: Zoran Mamdani's unexpected triumph in the NYC Democratic mayoral primary and the Supreme Court's ruling in United States vs. Skremetti. Through insightful discussions with political correspondent Dave Weigel and ACLU attorney Chase Strangio, the episode explores the ramifications of these developments on local politics and national policies affecting transgender healthcare. The episode underscores a shifting political landscape within the Democratic Party and highlights ongoing challenges faced by transgender individuals in accessing essential medical care.