Descendants of Dred Scott and the judge who ruled his case on what it is to be American

NPR | By Carrie Johnson

Published July 5, 2026 at 8:26 AM EDT

Descendants of Dred Scott and Chief Justice Roger Taney spoke about reconciliation at a church in the shadow of the Supreme Court this week as the high court wrestled with race and who can be an American.

Carrie Johnson

Carrie Johnson is a justice correspondent for the Washington Desk.

See stories by Carrie Johnson

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