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
Union ‘Opt-Out’ Measures Could Dilute Supreme Court Ruling, Teachers Worry
Government workers who don’t want to join unions should be able to “opt in” rather than “opt out” of union fees that finance political activism, some California teachers argue. “Unions don’t want people to know how to opt out; they harass you and bully you once you do try,” @4kidsandcountry says. Unless the nation’s highest… -
opinion
Supreme Court Hears Ban on Political T-Shirts at the Polls
When was the last time a T-shirt or button influenced the way you voted? Probably never—but the state of Minnesota thinks its citizens are much more impressionable, so it banned voters from wearing items that could be construed as “political” at polling places. In addition to prohibiting express advocacy on behalf of a political candidate… -
news
Mandatory Union Fees Divide Demonstrators as Supreme Court Hears Arguments
Government employees who don’t support the political activism of union leaders should not be forced to fund that activism, said demonstrators who turned out Monday at the Supreme Court building to support a free speech challenge of government-imposed union mandates. As the Supreme Court held oral arguments inside, The Daily Signal spoke with supporters and… -
opinion
6 Key Exchanges From Major Union Case at the Supreme Court
On Monday morning, the Supreme Court heard arguments in one of the most anticipated cases of the year, Janus v. American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, Council 31. This case involves forcing public employees who opt out of union membership to pay a fee for the “fair share” of costs associated with collective… -
news
The Supreme Court Just Issued Its Decision on Trump’s DACA Appeal
The U.S. Supreme Court Monday declined to review a lower court ruling requiring the federal government to continue administering the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. The decision is a blow to the Trump administration, which hopes to solidify its prerogative to revoke DACA as soon as possible. “It is assumed that the Court of Appeals will proceed… -
opinion
4 Cases to Watch at the Supreme Court This Month
The Supreme Court is scheduled to return to Washington next week after nearly a month off. The justices will hear a number of important oral arguments, including cases involving free speech, public employee unions, and digital privacy. Here are four cases to watch. Public Employee Unions and the First Amendment On Feb. 26, the Supreme… -
opinion
Why the Supreme Court Shouldn’t Bow to Government Agencies
Many Americans would be surprised to learn that a series of Supreme Court decisions allow officials in administrative agencies—rather than judges—to have the final say in interpreting statutes and rules. Administrative agencies touch on nearly every aspect of Americans’ daily lives—from highways to electricity to health, and often with limited supervision from the other branches… -
opinion
Supreme Court Tellingly Rejects Lower Court Roadblock to Elimination of DACA Program
On Dec. 20, in an unsigned, four-page opinion, the Supreme Court struck down a lower court order that severely burdened efforts by the Trump administration to end the Obama administration’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which has shielded certain younger illegal aliens from deportation. This is good news, a helpful sign that the Supreme… -
opinion
We Hear You: Jack Phillips’ Fight at the Supreme Court ‘Is a Fight for All of Us’
Editor's note: With the case of Jack Phillips and Masterpiece Cakeshop going before the Supreme Court on Tuesday, we thought we'd highlight some of the responses The Daily Signal has received, including to the latest video profile on the story produced by Kelsey Harkness, Lauren Evans, and Michael Goodwin. Be sure to write us at [email protected].—Ken… -
opinion
Supreme Court Asks New Questions About Privacy and Phone Tracking Technology
The Supreme Court held oral argument in Carpenter v. United States on Wednesday, a significant case involving the Fourth Amendment and technology. The question facing the justices is: Does the government have to get a search warrant in order to obtain a cellular service provider’s business records of the location of a customer’s cellphone, and… -
news
After Declining to Make a Wedding Cake, He’s Going to the Supreme Court. Here’s How That Journey Challenged His Faith.
LAKEWOOD, Colorado—”How did we end up at the Supreme Court? It’s a long story,” Jack Phillips, owner of Masterpiece Cakeshop, told The Daily Signal. The story began in 2012, when two men walked into his family-run bakery, and asked Jack to create a custom cake for their same-sex wedding ceremony. Because of his Christian faith,… -
opinion
What the Supreme Court Is Up to Ahead of Christmas
The Supreme Court’s final sitting of 2017 begins this week, and the justices will hear oral arguments in a number of high-profile cases involving the Fourth Amendment, free speech and religious liberty, federalism, and property rights. Here’s a look at the cases coming up. Property Rights of Patent Holders On Nov. 27, the Supreme Court… -
opinion
The Supreme Court’s Next Term Will Be One for the Books. Here’s Why.
Monday, Oct. 2 marks the start of a new Supreme Court term. While the arrival of Justice Neil Gorsuch made major headlines, the cases last term did not gain much attention. The court’s 2017-2018 term, however, promises to be one for the history books. In their first few weeks back, the justices will tackle several… -
opinion
Missouri Tried to Discriminate Against a Church for No Good Reason. How the Supreme Court Leveled the Playing Field.
In a 7-2 decision on Monday in Trinity Lutheran Church of Columbia, Inc. v. Comer, the Supreme Court overturned a Missouri policy that discriminated against a church simply because of its religious character. Citing a provision in its constitution that bars aid to religious organizations, Missouri had disqualified Trinity Lutheran Church’s preschool from a competition… -
opinion
The Supreme Court Will Review Trump’s Revised Travel Ban. Why That’s Good News for the President.
On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear the government’s appeal of the so-called travel ban shortly after it reconvenes on Oct. 2. The court tipped its hand, indicating that it is likely to side with the administration and uphold the traditional deference that it has accorded the other branches of government when it… -
opinion
Supreme Court to Review Case of a Baker Told He Must Bake Gay Wedding Cake
Today was a good day for religious freedom at the Supreme Court. In a 7-2 decision, the court upheld religious liberty by saying that a state cannot exclude a church from a public program just because it’s a church. That was the big case at the court. In a less-noted move, the court also agreed… -
opinion
What This Supreme Court Ruling Means for the Washington Redskins, Other Brands Deemed ‘Offensive’
Should “offensive” brand names be allowed to get a federal trademark? The Supreme Court answered “yes” on Monday, handing a decisive win to Simon Tam and his band, The Slants. Tam had tried to register a trademark for his band’s name, but the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office denied his application, citing a provision of… -
opinion
2 Cases Threaten to Shut Down Public Prayer. Why the Supreme Court May Need to Act.
Two federal appeals courts are considering whether elected leaders throughout the Midwest and mid-Atlantic regions must abandon the 200-year-old practice of opening local meetings with an invocation. Both cases could end up before the Supreme Court by Christmas time. In one case, a self-described pagan sued the board of commissioners of Jackson County, Michigan, arguing… -
opinion
North Carolina Strikes Out a Fifth Time at the Supreme Court Over Redistricting
The U.S. Supreme Court struck down the latest redistricting plan from North Carolina on Monday, holding that the state Legislature had impermissibly used race in the redistricting process for two congressional districts. The decision in Cooper v. Harris was confusing and did not clarify what states can and can’t do to comply with the Voting… -
news
All Sitting Supreme Court Justices Have Been Involved With Federalist Society, Labeled a ‘Front’ Group by Democrats
Judge Neil Gorsuch, President Donald Trump’s Supreme Court choice, came under fire from Democrats Monday because of his involvement with the Federalist Society, a conservative legal organization. “I don’t know what Donald Trump’s judicial philosophy [is] as president, but we sure do know the judicial philosophy of the Federalist Society, which was given the responsibility…