Key facts
- The Supreme Court is deciding cases on voting rights, presidential powers, tariffs, birthright citizenship, immigration, guns, race, transgender athletes, campaign finance, LGBT 'conversion therapy', and federal agency powers.
- A ruling on April 29 weakened Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, making it harder for minorities to challenge electoral maps.
- The court heard arguments on April 1 regarding Trump's directive to restrict birthright citizenship for children born in the U.S. to non-citizen parents.
- On February 20, the justices struck down Trump's tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
- Arguments were heard on January 21 concerning Trump's attempt to fire Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, potentially impacting the central bank's independence.
- The court heard arguments on April 29 regarding the Trump administration's termination of Temporary Protected Status for Haitian and Syrian immigrants.
- Arguments were heard on December 8 concerning Trump's firing of a Federal Trade Commission member, potentially impacting presidential power over independent agencies.
- The court heard arguments on January 13 on state laws banning transgender athletes from female sports teams.
- On March 31, the court rejected a Colorado law banning 'conversion' therapy for LGBT minors.
- The court heard arguments on January 20 on a Hawaii law restricting handguns on private property.
The U.S. Supreme Court is nearing the end of its term, with decisions pending on a range of significant cases that could reshape legal and policy landscapes across the country. These cases cover critical issues including the scope of voting rights, the extent of presidential authority, immigration policies, and the powers of federal agencies.
In a major blow to voting rights, the court on April 29 weakened a key provision of the Voting Rights Act, making it more difficult for minority groups to challenge electoral maps that dilute their voting power. This ruling could impact the upcoming November midterm elections by potentially allowing Republican-led states to dismantle majority-Black and majority-Latino districts.
Several cases directly involve actions taken by President Donald Trump. The court heard arguments on April 1 concerning Trump's directive to restrict birthright citizenship, with justices expressing skepticism about its legality under the Constitution's 14th Amendment. On February 20, the court struck down Trump's sweeping tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, ruling that he exceeded his authority and that Congress, not the president, holds the power to levy tariffs.
Further cases challenge presidential power over independent agencies. Arguments were heard on January 21 regarding Trump's attempt to fire Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, a move that could affect the central bank's independence. Similarly, on December 8, the court heard arguments on Trump's firing of a Federal Trade Commission member, with conservative justices appearing to favor expanding presidential power over agency heads.
The court also heard arguments on April 29 concerning the Trump administration's efforts to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for hundreds of thousands of Haitian and Syrian immigrants. Additionally, on January 13, the court heard arguments on state laws banning transgender athletes from participating in female sports, with conservative justices signaling potential support for such bans. In a different vein, on March 31, the court rejected a Colorado law that banned 'conversion' therapy for LGBT minors, citing free speech protections.
Arguments were also heard on January 20 regarding a Hawaii law that restricts the carrying of handguns on private property open to the public, indicating a potential expansion of gun rights.