The Supreme Court recently concluded a momentous term, issuing opinions in 58 merits cases that touched on various aspects of American life. The 6-3 conservative court handed the White House significant wins, including the expansion of presidential power to fire leaders of independent agencies.
Key Decisions
The court allowed the administration to end temporary humanitarian relief for over 1 million people living in the US, and enabled states to ban transgender students from competing on girls’ sports teams. The court also erased limits on political party spending in coordination with candidates.
President Trump, who had previously criticized the court, seemed pleased with the term’s outcome. He focused on the court’s decision in Trump v. Slaughter, which gave the presidency more power to fire officials at federal agencies.
Divisive Term
The term was marked by 6-3 ideologically split decisions in 13 cases, including those upholding transgender sports bans and expanding the president’s power to fire. The frequency of these splits has raised questions about the court’s self-styled image of being above the partisan fray.
Chief Justice John Roberts has urged the public not to view the court as a partisan institution voting along party lines. However, the term’s decisions have sparked criticism and debate, with some accusing the court of being a ‘weaponized and unjust political organization.’
Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
