Supreme Court News
In-depth reporting and commentary on the Court’s rulings and their influence on law, politics, and society.
-
- News
Not the Usual 6-3: Supreme Court Clears Way for Lawsuit Over Suicide Bombing
The Supreme Court had another 6-3 ruling in deciding that a veteran wounded by a suicide bomber in Afghanistan could sue a military contractor. In an unusual twist, however, the court’s three liberals—Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, and Ketanji Brown Jackson—joined Justice Clarence Thomas in the majority opinion on Wednesday. The case largely addressed whether…Fred Lucas -
- News
SCOTUS to Hear Immigration Case on Green Card Holders Charged With Crimes
The Supreme Court will hear arguments on Wednesday regarding removal proceedings against an immigrant legally in the United States, charged with counterfeiting. The case has the potential to affect the operations of Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and immigration courts, said Art Arthur, resident fellow in law and policy at the Center…Fred Lucas -
- News
Supreme Court Clears Way for Dismissal of Case Against Trump Ally Steve Bannon
WASHINGTON, April 6 (Reuters)—The U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way on Monday for the Justice Department to move forward with dismissing a criminal case in which Steve Bannon, an influential ally of President Donald Trump, was convicted after defying a congressional subpoena. Bannon was convicted by a jury in Washington in 2022 on two counts…John Kruzel -
- Opinion
Supreme Court Breaks Transgenderism’s Cruel Stranglehold Over Therapy in Colorado
This week, the Supreme Court rightly held that Colorado’s ban on “conversion therapy” violated the First Amendment by dictating what counselors can say in therapy sessions. However, the therapist who sued Colorado isn’t the only winner—gender-confused kids arguably came out ahead, too. Colorado’s law didn’t just aim to force therapists to endorse transgender orthodoxy—it also…Tyler O’Neil -
- Opinion
What SCOTUS Ruled About Conversion Therapy in Chiles v. Salazar
Can the government prohibit what a therapist says to a client behind closed doors? March 31, in an 8-1 opinion, the U.S. Supreme Court answered that question with a firm “No.” But the fact of an overwhelming majority of the court—eight justices—also suggests the narrowness of the opinion itself. Indeed, Justice Neil Gorsuch’s majority opinion…Dan Mauler -
- News
Supreme Court Rules 8-1 in Massive Free Speech Case
The Supreme Court held in an 8-1 ruling on Tuesday that a Colorado ban on “conversion therapy” for counselors unlawfully regulates speech and is viewpoint discrimination. Justice Neil Gorsuch, a President Donald Trump appointee, issued the majority opinion. Justices Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor—both appointees of President Barack Obama—issued concurring opinions. Only Justice Ketanji Brown…Fred Lucas -
- Opinion
Supreme Court Could Decide If ‘Election Day’ Lasts One Day
Under our Constitution, state legislatures retain primary authority for setting the rules and procedures governing elections—even federal ones. This is true for both congressional and presidential elections. But Congress can step in and alter those default state-level rules. And it has chosen to do so in several important ways. For example, it has fixed by…Zack Smith -
- News
Supreme Court Backs Police Immunity in Protest Case
The Supreme Court on Monday ruled that a Vermont police officer is entitled to qualified immunity after a protester at the state Capitol sued him for an injury in a case that stretches back more than a decade. Qualified immunity protects law enforcement officers from litigation if they are acting in the line of duty,…Fred Lucas -
- News
9-0: Supreme Court Sides With Street Preacher’s Right to Sue Over City’s Speech Restriction
The Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision on Friday, allowed a Christian pastor to proceed with his lawsuit against a Mississippi city’s law restricting where he could preach. In the case of Olivier v. City of Brandon, Justice Elena Kagan, a Barack Obama appointee, wrote for the court in the case involving free speech and religious…Fred Lucas -
- News
Could SCOTUS Rule to Hold Those Who Hire Illegal Immigrant Truck Drivers Accountable?
As President Donald Trump and Congress look to hold illegal immigrant truckers accountable, a future United States Supreme Court decision could modify a federal law that could allow victims of commercial vehicle crashes to hold those responsible for hiring the driver behind the crash accountable. The ruling, which is expected before June, could overturn a…Pedro Rodriguez -
- Opinion
Supreme Court Ruling Is Welcome News for Immigration Judges
Imagine that you’re one of the 520 or so immigration judges trying to slog through the estimated 3.3 million pending immigration cases, many of which are asylum cases. Unlike other judges, you don’t have contempt authority to hold attorneys accountable. And most denial of asylum decisions you make get appealed to the Board of Immigration…Cully Stimson -
- News
After Supreme Court Ruling, Tariff Refund Battle Just Beginning
The Trump administration will pay interest on refunds for global tariffs if ordered to do so, according to a court filing on Wednesday. U.S. officials have not committed to full refunds on the money collected from tariffs, as President Donald Trump has said he would find other laws to continue his tariffs. However, litigation and negotiations…Fred Lucas -
- News
‘WATERSHED MOMENT’: Supreme Court Rules on Gender Secrecy Policies
The Supreme Court Monday vindicated parental rights, upholding an injunction against California’s gender secrecy policy, which mandated that school staff hide a student’s claimed transgender identity from parents unless the student expressly consented to reveal it. “This is a watershed moment for parental rights in America,” Paul Jonna, special counsel at the Thomas More Society,…Tyler O’Neil -
- Opinion
Supreme Court Explains Contours of Sixth Amendment’s Right to Counsel in Villarreal v. Texas
The Sixth Amendment has long guaranteed a criminal defendant the right “to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.” But what does that right entail in practice—particularly when a defendant takes the witness stand in his own defense? And by taking the witness stand, what limitations, if any, exist with respect to his right…Zack Smith -
- Analysis
A Legal Analysis of the Supreme Court’s Tariff Ruling
The Supreme Court has struck down President Donald Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose tariffs by a vote of 6-3, with Chief Justice John Roberts writing for the majority. Notably, the majority opinion made clear: “We claim no special competence in matters of economics or foreign affairs. We claim only,…Stefan Padfield -
- News
$1 Billion on the Line as Supreme Court Could Rewrite US-Cuba Lawsuits
Justices heard arguments Monday in two disputes involving U.S.-Cuba relations that could be worth more than $1 billion. Oil giant ExxonMobil is a plaintiff in one of the cases, while major cruise lines, led by Royal Caribbean, are defendants in the other. A majority of justices seemed poised to side with ExxonMobil, while both conservative…Fred Lucas -
- Opinion
SCOTUS Removes IEEPA Tariffs From Toolbox, Now Is Time for the BAT
In a 6 to 3 decision, the Supreme Court has ruled Friday that President Donald Trump’s attempt to impose tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, IEEPA, lacked constitutional footing because the statute does not clearly authorize tariffs of unlimited amount, duration, and scope. However, that does not mean that the presidency has been…Miles Pollard -
- News
Trump Announces Alternative Tariff Plan After Supreme Court Ruling
President Donald Trump said the Supreme Court ruling against his tariffs actually affirms his authority to levy additional national security tariffs, and announced a 10% global tariff on Friday. In a 6-3 decision Friday, the Supreme Court ruled that President Trump did not have legal authority to impose his tariffs in Canada, Mexico, and China. …Elizabeth Troutman Mitchell -
- News
Supreme Court Strikes Down Tariffs Core to Trump Economic Agenda
In a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court ruled that President Donald Trump’s executive actions on tariffs exceeded his constitutional authority. During oral arguments in November, even Trump-appointed justices seemed skeptical of the government’s arguments that the president could impose tariffs without congressional approval. In the case of Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump, two companies sued…Fred Lucas -
- News
Supreme Court Could Soon Release Sweeping Opinions on These Big Issues
The Supreme Court announced it will release opinions beginning on Friday, amid speculation about the future of President Donald Trump’s tariffs, new congressional maps, and an expected strike at the “deep state.” In addition to the Feb. 20 opinions, the high court indicated it would release additional opinions on Feb. 24 and Feb. 25, SCOTUS…Fred Lucas