House Speaker Destin Hall

The article argues that American political traditions, such as respecting adversaries and committing to open debate, are giving way to prioritizing power at all costs. This cynical trend is noted in North Carolina, where Republican leaders have allegedly adopted a brand of raw power politics. A specific concern is the transformation of the state auditor’s office into a hyperpartisan weapon, illustrated by Auditor Dave Boliek overseeing elections in an embarrassingly partisan fashion.

North Carolina Democratic lawmakers propose constitutional amendments to establish a code of ethics for Supreme Court justices, reform the Judicial Standards Commission, and limit the General Assembly's ability to transfer powers between Council of State members. The amendments aim to address judicial independence concerns, particularly regarding potential conflicts of interest for justices like Phil Berger Jr., linked to legislative actions under his father's leadership.