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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opinion
How America’s Greatest Chief Justice Shaped the Supreme Court
John Marshall may not have a Broadway play about his life, but the Founding Father deserves recognition from Americans as one of the chief architects of our system of government. A new book by Richard Brookhiser, a senior editor at National Review and an esteemed historian, presents an interesting character study of one of the… -
opinion
6 Gifts for the Supreme Court Fanatic in Your Life
Are you wondering what to give that friend, family member, or colleague who loves the Supreme Court? Here are some gift ideas that should delight any Supreme Court watcher, brought to you by The Heritage Foundation’s “SCOTUS 101” podcast. 1. “I Like the Strong Silent Type” T-shirt, $22.99 On the bench, Justice Clarence Thomas is… -
opinion
Supreme Court’s Refusal to Hear Planned Parenthood Case Is a Missed Opportunity
The Supreme Court on Monday missed an opportunity to bring clarity to an area of the law about which the lower courts are divided: Whether states can prevent Medicaid funds from going to pay for non-abortion services at Planned Parenthood clinics. Justice Clarence Thomas dissented from the court’s decision not to take up the case,… -
news
Unions Defy Supreme Court on Mandatory Dues, Suit Says
Labor unions are collecting dues from public employees without their “affirmative consent” in defiance of a Supreme Court ruling that state laws requiring nonunion government workers to make such payments are unconstitutional, a new lawsuit alleges. The Freedom Foundation, a free market think tank based in Washington state, joined with the National Right to Work… -
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…