As soon as Thursday, the Supreme Court could rule on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. A leaked draft opinion in that case showed a majority of justices agreeing to overturn Roe v. Wade, which would end the constitutional right to an abortion.

However the court rules, this moment is the culmination of a decades-long effort by conservative activists around the country. One man in particular has played an outsized role in that effort: Leonard Leo, Co-Chairman of the Federalist Society. He’s devoted his career to getting conservatives appointed to the country’s most powerful courts.

We look at how he came to have so much sway.

In this episode, you’ll hear excerpts from the interview NPR’s Deirdre Walsh conducted with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.

In participating regions, you’ll also hear a local news segment to help you make sense of what’s going on in your community.

Email us at considerthis@npr.org.