US Supreme Court's 2023-24 Term: Reshaping the Law with Far-Reaching Consequences

The US Supreme Court's recent decisions have sparked widespread controversy and concern, with the court's conservative majority rapidly reshaping the law and its implications for the country's future. Just before adjourning for the summer, the court handed down a series of consequential decisions that have major implications for years to come, including on abortion, gun control, climate and environmental rules, and presidential power. The court's actions have been seen as a major victory for Republicans, who have traditionally favored a strong presidency, but critics argue that the decisions will lead to a significant increase in presidential power and a decrease in federal agency authority.

Key Takeaways:

• The US Supreme Court has concluded its 2023-24 term with a series of profoundly consequential decisions that have major implications for the country's future, including on abortion, gun control, climate and environmental rules, and presidential power.
• The court's conservative majority has given federal judges more authority over regulatory decisions, effectively reducing the power of federal agencies to write new rules and regulations.
• The court ruled that prosecutors had overreached in charging January 6 rioters with crimes, casting doubt over hundreds of convictions and raising questions about the direction of the justice system.
• The decision to grant immunity to the president from prosecution for official acts has significant implications for future presidents, allowing them to act with impunity.
• The court's decision to rule in favor of the Federalist Society and conservative causes has been seen as a major victory for the right, with many arguing that it will shape the direction of the federal judiciary for years to come.
• The number of conservative judges added to the federal bench during Trump's presidency has had a profound impact on the court's decision-making, with six-to-three Republican majority paving the way for more conservative decisions.
• The overturning of Roe v Wade and Dobb's v Jackson Women's Health Organisation has eliminated a constitutional right to abortion, with some states introducing near-total bans on the procedure.
• The court's decision to weaken federal agency power will make it more difficult to craft new rules on climate change, public health, or worker safety.
• Justice Kentaji Brown Jackson anticipates a "tsunami of lawsuits against agencies" due to the court's decision to defer to federal judges on the interpretation of federal rules.

Statistics:

• 6-3 Republican majority has been the backdrop to recent court decisions, shifting policy dramatically to the right.
• The court has handed down a raft of consequential decisions in just 10 days.
• The EPA creates and enforces regulations over air and water quality.
• Hundreds of January 6 convictions have been cast into doubt due to the court's ruling.
• The number of conservative judges added to the federal bench during Trump's presidency is in the hundreds.
• 1984 case Chevron v Natural Resources Defence Council established Chevron Deference, which allows federal judges to defer to agency interpretations.
• 2024 presidential power has increased, but federal agency power has decreased markedly.

Sources:

• Dr Colin Provost, University College London, The Conversation
• Cliff Sloan, Georgetown University, The Conversation
• Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health Organisation (2022)
• Roe v Wade (1973)
• Dobb's v Jackson Women's Health Organisation (2022)
• Chevron v Natural Resources Defence Council (1984)
• Trump v USA
• January 6 rioters' convictions cast into doubt
• EPA creates and enforces regulations over air and water quality
• Federalist Society and conservative causes
• Mitch McConnell, Senate minority leader