SCOTUSblog

The Supreme Court justices have a limited and controlled relationship with the press, using methods like hard passes, annual reports, and occasional interviews. They monitor press coverage extensively but rarely respond to leaks, except in rare cases like the Dobbs draft opinion. Justices also engage with the press on their own terms, such as during book promotions or pre-approved speaking events.

The Trump administration and President Donald Trump's legal team are asking the Supreme Court to review an $83.3 million defamation judgment against him, arguing for immunity. The administration also has pending petitions on immigration detention policies, the Second Amendment, the U.S. DOGE Service, and transgender troop policies, with a focus on Raycraft v. Lopez-Campos, which challenges detention without bond for noncitizens apprehended within the U.S.

The Supreme Court released its October argument session calendar, which runs from October 5 to October 14. A U.S. appeals court reversed a prior decision favoring Jack Daniel’s in a trademark dispute with VIP Products over a dog toy parodying whiskey bottles. The Supreme Court previously vacated the 9th Circuit’s 2020 ruling but the appeals court reinstated a sales ban reversal in 2024. Meanwhile, ICE is outfitting Haitian immigrants with ankle monitors following a Supreme Court decision ending their deportation protections.

The Supreme Court will begin its 2026-27 term with cases on climate change, immigration detention, and digital privacy. Key cases include Suncor Energy v. Boulder County, Genalo v. Black, and Salazar v. Paramount Global, addressing issues like state climate claims, noncitizen detention rights, and the interpretation of a 1988 federal law.

The Supreme Court has not addressed constitutional implications of emerging reproductive technologies like in vitro gametogenesis (IVG) and mitochondrial replacement techniques, creating a legal vacuum. Current laws, including an appropriations rider blocking FDA review of these technologies, raise questions about their permissibility and the role of constitutional values in governing their use.

The U.S. Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to end Temporary Protected Status for Haitian and Syrian citizens, ruling that officials did not racially discriminate against Haitians. The majority dismissed claims that derogatory remarks by President Trump and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem constituted racial animus, while dissenting justices argued the decision ignored clear evidence of racism.

The Supreme Court is considering the timing of legal challenges to President Donald Trump’s mail-in voting executive order, with the Trump administration and 12 states arguing the order should be implemented immediately. Opposing groups, including 23 states and the District of Columbia, seek to maintain a lower-court block on the order, while the Purcell principle—a judicial caution against last-minute election rule changes—could influence the court’s decision. Justice Sonia Sotomayor also denied a request to pause a $655.5 million judgment against the Palestine Liberation Organization and Palestinian Authority.

23 states and the District of Columbia are urging the Supreme Court to maintain a federal court order blocking the federal government from implementing provisions of an executive order on mail-in voting ahead of the November 2026 elections. The executive order, issued by President Donald Trump, requires federal agencies to create voter eligibility lists and restrict USPS ballot transmission, which the states argue infringes on state authority over elections. A lower court blocked the order's implementation for 2026 elections but allowed challenges related to the upcoming midterms.

The article discusses the historical origins of the phrase 'born free and equal' in the Declaration of Independence and its adoption in state constitutions like Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. It highlights how six states in 1791 included similar language, while noting contradictions such as Virginia's clause protecting slavery.

The Supreme Court in United States v. Rahimi rejected the idea that the Second Amendment is 'trapped in amber,' a metaphor now widely used in constitutional law. The phrase originated in 1974 with Justice Thurgood Marshall's dissent in Richardson v. Ramirez but has since been adopted by conservative justices like Neil Gorsuch. The metaphor challenges the notion of fixed legal principles, reflecting a shift toward living constitutionalism.

The Trump administration is targeting 'birth tourism' by prioritizing prosecutions after the Supreme Court rejected an executive order on birthright citizenship. The Justice Department has instructed offices to focus on birth tourism cases, which involve foreign nationals giving birth in the US for citizenship benefits.

The article critiques the current Supreme Court's disregard for international law and the International Court of Justice's rulings, particularly in cases involving the Vienna Convention of Consular Relations. It highlights the U.S. as the only country repudiating ICJ decisions on consular access rights for foreigners.

The Supreme Court ruled on two Second Amendment cases this term: United States v. Hemani and Wolford v. Lopez. In Hemani, the court unanimously rejected a federal law disarming daily marijuana users, while in Wolford v. Lopez, a 6-3 decision struck down a Hawaii law restricting firearms on private public property. Both rulings applied the Bruen framework, requiring governments to prove regulations align with historical firearm traditions.

Palestinian authorities requested the U.S. Supreme Court to halt a $656 million judgment from a lawsuit filed by Americans injured in Israeli attacks, pending an appeal. The request cites potential destabilization of government services and regional security risks if the payment proceeds before the appeal is resolved.

The Supreme Court will decide in Anderson v. Intel Corporation Investment Policy Committee whether plaintiffs must identify a 'meaningful benchmark' to sue over underperforming retirement investments. The case centers on Intel's post-2008 shift to diversified funds prioritizing loss reduction over high returns, which plaintiffs argue trailed stock-heavy funds despite meeting inflation-adjusted targets. The outcome could reshape litigation risks for employer-sponsored retirement plans under ERISA, affecting over 100 million Americans.

The article examines Justice Brett Kavanaugh's role as a prominent concurrence writer on the Roberts Court, highlighting his frequent alignment with majorities (92-95% of decisions) and his use of concurrences to respect dissenting arguments, explain court opinions, and outline future legal views. Kavanaugh's approach is contrasted with historical justices like William Brennan and John Harlan, with a specific example from the Trump v. Barbara birthright citizenship case illustrating his balancing of statutory and constitutional interpretations.

President Donald Trump has indicated he will ask the U.S. Supreme Court to revive his lawsuit against Hillary Clinton, the Democratic National Committee, and others over claims of 2016 campaign collusion. A previous appeals court dismissed the case as frivolous and imposed sanctions, prompting Trump to request an extended deadline to seek Supreme Court review. Twelve states, including Alabama, have also pushed for expedited consideration of Trump’s mail-in voting executive order.

Trump's legal team requested the Supreme Court to review an $83.3 million defamation verdict against him, awarded to journalist E. Jean Carroll. The 2nd Circuit upheld the jury's decision, which included compensatory and punitive damages, finding Trump's statements caused ongoing harassment. Trump argues the ruling undermines presidential immunity for official acts.

The Supreme Court's recent decisions limiting congressional authority and key provisions of the Voting Rights Act have sparked calls for reform. Proposed measures include expanding the court, imposing term limits, narrowing the court's jurisdiction, and rethinking judicial review, though ending judicial review is deemed unrealistic by experts.

Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch emphasized the importance of studying unvarnished U.S. history to address civics education decline, calling democracy 'fragile' and urging Americans to learn from both its flaws and achievements. He discussed his visit to the Berlin Wall and the role of President Ronald Reagan in advancing freedom, while promoting his children's book on the Declaration of Independence. Gorsuch also highlighted the sacrifices of Continental Congress delegates and the need for mutual respect in political disagreements.