Staff Reports
The Supreme Court is holding its cards close to the chest as June nears its end, with 14 opinions yet to be unleashed. Americans can expect these rulings to stir the pot, especially for those tuned into conservative interests. Hold on to your red hats, folks, this is going to be an interesting week.
Top of the heap is the drama surrounding former President Donald Trump and his immunity. The justices are set to rule on a case that could determine whether presidents are shielded from criminal prosecution for actions taken while in office. In Trump v. United States, the court will weigh in on allegations from special counsel Jack Smith that Trump tried to meddle with the 2020 election. Trump’s defense team insists that former presidents should have immunity unless Congress removes it through impeachment. Lower courts have been playing hardball against Trump, but delays in the process mean this saga won’t be wrapping up anytime soon.
Supreme Court has five major decisions to make as deadline nears – Washington Examiner https://t.co/AE6ikw2J9t
— Melanie (@MellieMAGA) June 23, 2024
Next up is the fallout from the January 6th protests. The Supreme Court will address whether the Justice Department went overboard by charging more than 300 participants with obstruction. One example is former officer Joseph Fischer, who walked into the Capitol with other protesters. The high court will need to decide if this charge—typically used for destroying documents—applies to interrupting a public meeting. With hundreds under this charge, including implications for Trump’s own legal woes, the decision could be a game-changer.
The court will also rule on Idaho’s abortion laws in a case brought by the Biden administration, which argues that the state’s restrictions clash with federal mandates for emergency healthcare. The high court has allowed these laws to stay in place while the case is ongoing. This will be the Supreme Court’s first abortion ruling post-Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health, potentially reaffirming the return of abortion regulation to state legislatures. Expect Democrats to use this as ammo for the upcoming elections.
Another seismic decision is expected on the power of executive branch agencies. With four decades of precedent giving broad leeway to unelected bureaucrats—known as Chevron deference—the current Supreme Court seems poised to curtail this power. If they weaken or abolish Chevron deference, it could limit the ever-growing power of federal agencies over everyday American life, restoring more control to the people’s representatives.
Finally, Biden’s team faces scrutiny over alleged coercion of social media companies to police information about COVID-19 and the 2020 election. Two Republican attorneys general have sued, claiming a violation of the First Amendment. The Justice Department counters that the government has the right to liaison with these companies for public safety and national security reasons. Court observers noted some justices seemed inclined to side with the federal government during oral arguments.
It’s showtime this week at the Supreme Court, where decisions on these critical issues could reshape the political landscape. Conservatives should keep a close watch.
