The U.S. Supreme Court wrapped up its term with several significant rulings that align with the Trump administration’s agenda. In a week filled with important decisions, the court ruled on issues that could impact many Americans.
One of the major decisions was about birthright citizenship. In a 6-3 ruling, the court decided to limit the power of federal courts to issue universal injunctions. This means that courts can no longer block government actions nationwide in the same way they have in the past. The ruling sends the case back to lower courts for further consideration, but it also temporarily blocks President Trump’s executive order on birthright citizenship for 30 days as legal battles continue.
Another ruling allowed parents to opt their children out of classes that include LGBTQ characters in books. This decision, also decided by a 6-3 vote, has raised concerns among educators about how to handle such opt-out requests, especially in subjects that might conflict with personal beliefs.
The court also upheld a key part of the Affordable Care Act, ensuring that around 150 million people can still access many preventive services for free. This decision was notable because it saw Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Brett Kavanaugh joining the court’s liberal justices in the majority.
In another case, the court supported a Texas law requiring age verification for accessing pornographic websites. This ruling marks a significant step as it imposes new requirements on adults to protect minors from explicit content.
Additionally, the Supreme Court upheld a program that provides subsidized internet and phone services to underserved communities. The court dismissed arguments that Congress had overstepped its authority in allowing the Federal Communications Commission to manage this program.
The court also postponed a decision on Louisiana’s congressional redistricting case, which involves claims of racial gerrymandering. This case will be reargued in the next term.
Lastly, the Supreme Court upheld South Carolina’s decision to block Planned Parenthood from receiving federal Medicaid funds for non-abortion services. This ruling allows states to set rules about which providers can receive Medicaid reimbursements, sparking debate about access to healthcare services.
These rulings reflect the court’s current ideological divide and set the stage for ongoing legal battles and discussions about rights and regulations in America.