The Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is a central tenet explored in the podcast episodes provided. This clause guarantees that all people are entitled to equal protection under the law, prohibiting discrimination by the government.

In one episode, the hosts discuss the Supreme Court's decision in Alexander v. South Carolina NAACP, which they argue effectively closes the door on racial gerrymandering claims in federal courts, representing a significant setback for voting rights and equal protection under the law.

Another episode examines how the 14th Amendment, ratified after the Civil War, aimed to establish equal rights but faced resistance due to its vague language. It took decades before pivotal cases allowed the 14th Amendment to protect civil liberties, though its impact remains dependent on the Supreme Court's ideological makeup.