The United States Supreme Court opened its new term on Monday at 10 a.m. EDT, with Chief Justice John Roberts presiding over the first oral arguments. The opening case tackles a federal‑state environmental clash over whether oil and gas companies can be held liable for climate‑change harms.
Key cases on the docket
Beyond the climate dispute, the Court’s schedule includes appeals that could affect immigration policy, federal bureaucracy reforms, and even the construction of the White House ballroom and the Kennedy Center. Analysts note that many of these matters involve actions taken by President Trump’s administration, underscoring the Court’s continuing role in shaping the executive’s agenda.
Trump‑related victories and setbacks
During the last term, the Court delivered a mixed record for President Trump. The administration lost battles on sweeping reciprocal tariffs, birthright citizenship, and the removal of Federal Reserve governors. It prevailed on several immigration measures, mid‑decade redistricting, political gerrymandering, and federal campaign‑spending rules.
Since 2025, the Trump Justice Department has won more than 70 percent of its emergency applications before the Court – requests that ask a challenged executive policy be enforced temporarily while the underlying case proceeds in lower courts. Recent emergency rulings have upheld new voter‑citizenship verification rules for the upcoming midterms and allowed continued construction of the White House ballroom.
Public perception and polling
A July Washington Post/Ipsos poll found that 46 percent of Americans believe the justices decide on Trump‑administration policies based on political views, while only 25 percent say the Court rules on the law. Gallup’s July survey reported a record‑low job approval of 33 percent for the Court and a record‑high disapproval of 61 percent, driven by a sharp decline in Republican support since last year. A recent Fox News poll showed 38 percent public approval and a record‑high 45 percent perception that the justices are too conservative – up from 34 percent in 2022.
Security concerns for the bench
Amid the partisan debate, judges report heightened safety threats. U.S. Marshals logged 370 threats to federal judges in the first half of the year, a 31 percent year‑over‑year increase. Some judges have taken “extraordinary safety measures,” including wearing bullet‑proof vests and dealing with swatting incidents.
Justice Elena Kagan told a congressional panel that while criticism of the Court is “fair game,” intimidation crosses a line. Justice Amy Coney Barrett echoed the concern, describing the current threat level as “really high.”
Chief Justice Roberts’ stance
Roberts, who leads the nine‑member bench, rejected the notion that the Court simply rubber‑stamps the administration’s wishes. “We’re not simply part of the political process, and there’s a reason for that,” he said at a recent judicial conference. Justice Kagan agreed, calling the “rubber‑stamp” label a “bad rap.”
Looking ahead
The new term promises additional emergency disputes tied to Trump’s executive actions, ranging from congressional redistricting to campaign‑ad spending. Both parties are watching closely as the Court’s decisions will shape the political landscape ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
