Supreme Court News
In-depth reporting and commentary on the Court’s rulings and their influence on law, politics, and society.
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news
George H.W. Bush Has a Far-Reaching Supreme Court Legacy
Former President George H.W. Bush, who died peacefully Friday night, made far-reaching changes to the Supreme Court, appointing two justices to the nation’s highest judicial tribunal and clearing the way for three more. His appointments helped set the trajectory of the nascent conservative legal establishment, and permanently altered Republican perceptions of the judicial selection process…. -
opinion
The Supreme Court Signals It May Rein in Abusive Property Seizures
This week, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral argument in a case that may rein in abusive property seizures by state and local governments through the highly controversial legal tool known as civil asset forfeiture. The case at issue involves a man named Tyson Timbs, who sold $225 worth of heroin to undercover police officers… -
opinion
Frequent 5-4 Supreme Court Rulings Belie Chief Justice Roberts’ Argument Justices Are Unbiased
Chief Justice John Roberts has been drawn into President Donald Trump’s web. Last week the president criticized the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, based in San Francisco, calling it “a lawless disgrace.” The New York Times writes, “Trump’s remarks came after a federal trial judge ordered the administration to resume accepting asylum… -
opinion
3 Upcoming Supreme Court Cases to Watch
After a two-week break, the Supreme Court has returned to hear its final round of cases for 2018. Among the issues that the court will address are whether half of Oklahoma is an Indian reservation, excessive fines, and double jeopardy. The following are three cases to watch in the Supreme Court’s last sitting of the… -
opinion
Here Are 3 Cases to Watch at the Supreme Court
The Supreme Court is back in session after a two-week break. The justices will hear arguments in a number of important cases, including ones dealing with coercive class-action settlements, using hovercrafts for moose hunting in Alaska, and Virginia’s ban on uranium mining. Here are three cases to watch closely in the coming weeks. Frank v…. -
news
Bakers Fined $135K Over Wedding Cake Appeal to Supreme Court
The former owners of an Oregon bakery, ordered to pay $135,000 in damages for declining to make a cake for a same-sex wedding, are appealing their case to the Supreme Court. Lawyers for Aaron and Melissa Klein filed a petition Monday asking the Supreme Court to reverse an earlier decision handed down by the state… -
news
The American Legion Is Asking Supreme Court to Protect Cross-Shaped War Memorial
The American Legion and a Maryland planning commission are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to protect a cross-shaped World War I memorial, after the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found the monument violates the Constitution. Supporters of the petition say the 4th Circuit’s decision compromises war memorials across the country, including those at Arlington National Cemetery…. -
news
Sen. Hirono Suggests Democrats Could Hold Supreme Court Seat Open Until 2020
A Democrat senator suggested that if President Donald Trump withdraws Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination, Democrats could hold the Supreme Court seat open until after the 2020 election. “The world does not come to an end because we don’t [approve] all of the nominees,” Sen. Mazie Hirono said on Politico’s “Off Message” podcast last week, when asked… -
opinion
What to Expect When the Supreme Court Returns
Monday, Oct. 1, marks the start of a new Supreme Court term. With conservative victories in numerous cases (NIFLA, the so-called “travel ban,” Masterpiece Cakeshop, Janus, and more), the previous term is summed up best by then-candidate Donald Trump: “We’re going to win so much, you’re going to be so sick and tired of winning.”… -
opinion
3 Reasons Why We Should Get Rid of Supreme Court Confirmation Hearings
I think it’s time to seriously consider getting rid of these hearings for Supreme Court nominees. The Constitution doesn’t require a hearing. All it says is that the Senate must give advise and consent. You can do that with a simple up-or-down vote. And let’s be real: Do we really think one senator’s vote is… -
news
How a DC Internship Transformed This Future State Supreme Court Justice’s Life
Clint Bolick entered college pursuing a career in teaching and politics. But then a summer internship with The Fund for American Studies placed him in Sen. Orrin Hatch’s office and changed his life forever. It was the summer before his senior year at Drew University, a liberal arts school on the outskirts of New York… -
opinion
Right Side of History: The 7 Biggest Supreme Court Political Controversies
“The Right Side of History” is a podcast dedicated to exploring current events through a historical lens and busting left-wing myths about figures and events of America’s past. On this week’s episode, hosts Jarrett Stepman and Fred Lucas discuss the top political controversies in Supreme Court history. The Supreme Court hasn’t just been controversial because of… -
news
Liberal Group Behind Resistance to Supreme Court Pick Hides Its Funding
A left-leaning advocacy group that plans to spend millions opposing Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to the Supreme Court has obscured funding sources through an opaque organizational structure. Conservative advocacy groups dramatically outpaced liberal efforts on judicial confirmations in recent years, dominating the fundraising and communications space around Supreme Court nominations. But some Democratic operatives have formed… -
opinion
Why the Supreme Court Should Be More Like the Last Super Bowl
Justice Anthony Kennedy’s retirement, leading to President Donald Trump’s nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, has thrown progressives, the Democratic Party, and the news media into an out-and-out tizzy. The online magazine Slate declared, “Anthony Kennedy Just Destroyed His Legacy as a Gay Rights Hero.” The New York Times’ editorial board said… -
opinion
We Hear You: The President Gets to Fill Another Supreme Court Vacancy
Editor's note: Our audience paid close attention to the news that Justice Anthony Kennedy's retirement gave President Donald Trump a second opportunity to appoint a conservative to the Supreme Court. He did so 12 days later. Here's a sampling of the early response. Send your own views to [email protected].—Ken McIntyre Dear Daily Signal: Everyone is… -
news
Justice Elena Kagan’s Scholarly Connection With Brett Kavanaugh
A surprise shoutout from President Donald Trump’s conservative Supreme Court nominee to one of the high court’s liberal justices proved to be a rare note of civility amid the partisan rancor from the left surrounding the pick. If the Senate confirms D.C. Circuit Judge Brett Kavanaugh for the court, he already will be on familiar… -
opinion
There They Go Again: The Left Uses Old Scare Tactics Against Supreme Court Nominee
President Donald Trump’s nominee for the Supreme Court, Judge Brett Kavanaugh, is now making the rounds in the Senate in advance of his confirmation hearings. Kavanaugh is the kind of jurist that our system of government was designed for: fair, impartial, and faithful to the Constitution. Many far-left groups, and therefore, many Senate Democrats, will… -
opinion
Chuck Schumer’s Brazen Fable About Nominees and Supreme Court Precedents
Hours before President Trump announced his nomination of D.C. Circuit Judge Brett Kavanaugh for the Supreme Court, Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., outlined his demands for the nominee. He would, Schumer said Monday on the Senate floor, demand from Kavanaugh “an affirmative statement of support” for certain Supreme Court precedents and positions on particular legal… -
news
Harvard Law Professor Alan Dershowitz Dismisses Liberal Hysteria Over Trump’s SCOTUS Pick
Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz defended President Donald Trump’s Supreme Court pick Brett Kavanaugh on “Fox & Friends” Tuesday and rebuked liberals for their vocal opposition. “He went to Yale law school and he taught at Harvard. What can be wrong with that,” Dershowitz said. “He has a lot of support from centrist academics. He is regarded… -
news
Trump’s Supreme Court List Down to Final Three
President Donald Trump has narrowed down his list of potential Supreme Court nominations to three candidates. With days remaining until Trump makes an expected selection announcement, his choice to replace retiring Justice Anthony Kennedy is down to three federal appeals judges: Amy Coney Barrett, Brett Kavanaugh and Raymond Kethledge, reported The Associated Press. The candidate interview process has…