What is it about the courts reclaiming powers of statutory interpretation they had deferred to the executive a few decades ago, that makes for a third world dump?

This is incredibly good news.

The question will answer itself, I'll get back to you when most of America is flint.

So.. courts have to rule on the law
Agencies can't interpret the law.

cdc, atf, etc etc

did I get that right?

In cases where the meaning of statutes is ambiguous and congress hasnt clarified it, previously courts would defer to any executive branch interpetation that wasn't completely absurd. Now courts have to rule on what laws mean and can't defer to agencies