Supreme Court Ends Term with Big Win for Trump, Limiting Judges' Ability to Block Policies

Strategic Insights -

The Supreme Court closed its term with a significant decision that limits the ability of judges to block President Donald Trump's policies, effectively giving the president a green light to implement his changes without interference from the lower courts. This is the second consecutive year the court has handed down a major win for Trump, following last year's decision that granted former presidents broad immunity from prosecution. The latest decision was sparked by Trump's order limiting birthright citizenship, which several judges had blocked nationwide.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Supreme Court ordered lower courts to review nationwide blocks on Trump policies, effectively giving the president a green light to implement his changes.
  • The decision was written by Justice Amy Coney Barrett for the 6-3 majority, with Justice Sonia Sotomayor dissenting, calling the decision a "solemn mockery" of the Constitution.
  • The court's decision did not consider the constitutionality of Trump's order limiting birthright citizenship, but it may be taken up in the next session starting in October.
  • The decision could result in more class-action lawsuits or fast-tracking litigation to get decisions from the Supreme Court faster, making it harder to stop the broad implementation of highly contested policies.
  • Justice Barrett wrote the win for Trump, despite being called a diversity, equity, and inclusion hire by some of the president's loudest supporters.
  • The court's conservatives joined with liberals to reject conservative challenges to Obamacare and an internet subsidy program, marking a rare instance of bipartisan agreement.
  • The court punted on a racial gerrymandering challenge, saying it wants to hear more arguments first, without setting a timeline.

Statistics:

  • 35 of 40 national blocks on Trump policies came from five jurisdictions, according to Attorney General Pam Bondi.
  • The American Civil Liberties Union filed a nationwide class-action lawsuit to halt Trump's birthright order in the wake of the high court's decision.
  • More than 40% of the country's population lives in states where Trump's birthright order is still in effect, according to a report from the American Civil Liberties Union.
  • The court's decision does not address the constitutionality of Trump's order, but it may be taken up in the next session starting in October.
  • The court heard a total of 64 cases during the 2022 term, with a notable increase in conservative challenges.

Sources:

  • Maureen Groppe and Bart Jansen, USA TODAY
  • "Supreme Court Orders Lower Courts to Review Nationwide Blocks on Trump Policies" by Maureen Groppe and Bart Jansen
  • "Trump Wins Second Consecutive Supreme Court Victory, Capping Biggest Term Yet" by Maureen Groppe and Bart Jansen
  • "Justice Amy Coney Barrett's Opinion in the Birthright Citizenship Case" by SCOTUSblog
  • "The American Civil Liberties Union's Lawsuit Against Trump's Birthright Order" by ACLU
  • "The Court's Racial Gerrymandering Challenge Decision" by SCOTUSblog