Theodore Olson Dies; Legal Legacy Remembered

Theodore Olson, a prominent conservative lawyer and former U.S. Solicitor General, passed away at 84. Known for his influential legal career, Olson played a crucial role in the 2000 Florida election dispute that secured the presidency for George W. Bush and later argued for the legalization of same-sex marriage in California, challenging Proposition 8. His legal work spanned across 65 cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, impacting significant areas of law including voting rights, free speech, and immigration. Olson also served in the Justice Department under Ronald Reagan and as Solicitor General under Bush. Meanwhile, as Donald Trump prepares for a potential second term, both his supporters and opponents are gearing up for a renewed legal and policy battle, reflecting on the lessons learned from his first administration where many policies faced judicial challenges.