WASHINGTON — A monumental Supreme Court term begins Monday with major tests of presidential power on the agenda, alongside pivotal cases concerning voting and the rights of LGBTQ individuals.
The court’s conservative majority has shown support—at least in preliminary rulings—for many of President Trump’s aggressive assertions of authority. Liberal Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson notably referenced a Calvin and Hobbes comic strip to critique a ruling permitting a $783 million cut in research funding.
“This is Calvinball jurisprudence with a twist,” Jackson remarked. “Calvinball has only one rule: There are no fixed rules. We seem to have two: that one, and this administration always wins.”
The conservative justices may take a more skeptical stance when more complex Trump administration policies are scrutinized, such as the implementation of tariffs and the proposed restrictions on birthright citizenship.
Legal experts predict that if the conservative-liberal split that has characterized many of Trump’s emergency appeals continues, this could shape up to be one of the most polarizing terms in Supreme Court history.
Among the critical cases, the justices will evaluate the legality of Trump’s sweeping tariffs in an upcoming hearing, while also deliberating on his authority to fire independent agency members and address issues of citizenship for children born in the U.S.
As the term unfolds, the court will also consider significant voting rights cases, specifically how electoral districts are drawn, affecting majority Black, Hispanic, or Native American voters.
Furthermore, issues surrounding transgender rights in sports are poised to be addressed as states enact laws barring transgender women and girls from participating in athletic competitions.
With Justice Samuel Alito anticipating a potential retirement in the near future, the dynamics of the court may shift with upcoming appointments, adding another layer of complexity to an already high-stakes Supreme Court term.
