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Supreme Court's Recent Term Highlights Countermajoritarian Trends

Supreme Court's Recent Term Highlights Countermajoritarian Trends

The recent term of the U.S. Supreme Court has been marked by decisions that reflect a countermajoritarian approach, reshaping American democracy and legal principles. Under Chief Justice John Roberts, the court has issued rulings that dismantle democratic safeguards, favor wealthy interests, and challenge multiculturalism. Notable decisions include the narrowing of the Voting Rights Act in Louisiana v. Callais, the expansion of executive power over immigration in Mullin v. Doe, and the end of independent regulatory agencies in Trump v. Slaughter. These rulings have sparked concerns about the court's role in shaping policy and its impact on civil rights and democratic governance.

Supreme Court Justice Sotomayor Declines to Halt $655 Million Judgment Against Palestinian Authorities

Supreme Court Justice Sotomayor Declines to Halt $655 Million Judgment Against Palestinian Authorities

Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor has declined to halt a $655.5 million judgment against the Palestinian Authority and the Palestine Liberation Organization. This decision comes in a lawsuit filed by American victims of attacks in Israel from 2002 to 2004. The judgment was initially awarded in 2015, but a federal appellate court overturned it in 2016. However, the Supreme Court reinstated the judgment in 2025 after Congress passed a law allowing such claims. The Palestinian authorities argued that enforcing the judgment would cause financial harm and destabilize services in the West Bank.

Democrats Oppose HUD's Proposed Rule Affecting LGBTQ+ Protections

Democrats Oppose HUD's Proposed Rule Affecting LGBTQ+ Protections

Over 110 U.S. Representatives, led by Maxine Waters, have sent a letter to HUD opposing a proposed rule that would roll back protections for LGBTQ+ individuals in HUD programs. The rule seeks to determine access to shelters based on sex rather than gender identity, potentially reversing protections established in the 2012 Equal Access Rule. The proposal has drawn significant public engagement, with over 23,000 comments submitted. Critics argue that the rule violates existing laws and could exacerbate homelessness and discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals.

First Circuit Court Overturns Ruling on TPS Termination, Aligns with Supreme Court Precedent

First Circuit Court Overturns Ruling on TPS Termination, Aligns with Supreme Court Precedent

A panel from the First Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals has overturned a previous decision by district court judges that paused the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for foreign nationals from South Sudan and Ethiopia. The appellate court's decision was influenced by a Supreme Court ruling, authored by Justice Samuel Alito, which stated that the TPS statute does not permit federal courts to review nonconstitutional claims. The case, known as Mullin v. Doe, established that the judicial-review bar of the TPS statute applies to all non-constitutional claims challenging the Secretary of Homeland Security's decisions regarding TPS designation terminations. Consequently, the appellate court granted the government's request for a summary reversal and remanded the cases to the district courts for further proceedings consistent with the Supreme Court's precedent.

Westchester County Journal News

NY sues Trump administration over new tariffs as 'a tax' on Americans

NY sues Trump administration over new tariffs as 'a tax' on Americans

New York is joined by 43 other states in suing the Trump administration over their newly announced tariffs affecting 60 trading partners.

Trump vowed to 'bring free speech back.' Judges in 75 cases ruled that he has stifled it

Trump vowed to 'bring free speech back.' Judges in 75 cases ruled that he has stifled it

Aug 4 - U.S. President Donald Trump repeatedly campaigned for his second term as a champion of free expression, vowing in his January 2025 inaugural address to stop what he described as years of "government censorship."

Federal Judge Blocks Michigan's Ban on Conversion Therapy for Minors

Federal Judge Blocks Michigan's Ban on Conversion Therapy for Minors

A federal judge has permanently blocked Michigan from enforcing its ban on conversion therapy for minors. The decision follows an agreement with a Catholic Charities chapter that challenged the ban, arguing it violated free speech rights. The order, signed by Judge Jane M. Beckering, aligns with a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that found a similar ban in Colorado to be discriminatory based on viewpoint. The Michigan ban had aimed to prevent mental health professionals from engaging in gender conversion therapy through speech, but the court's decision underscores the complexity of balancing free speech with regulatory efforts to protect minors.

New Jersey Seeks Supreme Court Review to Uphold Semiautomatic Rifle Ban

New Jersey Seeks Supreme Court Review to Uphold Semiautomatic Rifle Ban

New Jersey has requested the U.S. 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals to pause an order that struck down the state's ban on certain semiautomatic weapons. The state aims to bring the case before the U.S. Supreme Court, arguing that similar bans have been upheld by six other circuit courts. The state's attorneys highlighted that nearly thirty appellate judges across the ideological spectrum support New Jersey's stance, suggesting a reasonable possibility that the Supreme Court might agree. The appeals court's ruling also invalidated New Jersey's ban on high-capacity magazines. New Jersey's legal team cited a three-pronged test to justify their request, emphasizing the potential for irreparable harm if the law is not upheld. The state pointed out that the Supreme Court is already considering a related case from Illinois, which could influence the decision to take up New Jersey's case.

Vermont Governor Phil Scott Defends State-Run Elections Amid President Trump's Push for Nationalization

Vermont Governor Phil Scott Defends State-Run Elections Amid President Trump's Push for Nationalization

Vermont's Republican Governor Phil Scott has publicly defended the state's mail-in voting system and state-run elections, countering President Trump's calls for a nationalized election system. During a conversation at the National Governors Association meeting, Scott emphasized the importance of state sovereignty in election administration, citing the 10th Amendment. He noted that mail-in voting is popular among Republicans in Vermont and has increased voter participation, thereby enhancing GOP representation in the state legislature. Scott's comments come in response to President Trump's ongoing efforts to reshape the U.S. election system, including a proposed executive order to create federal voter lists and restrict mail-in ballots to those on the lists. A federal judge recently blocked this order, deeming it unconstitutional, but the Trump administration has appealed to the Supreme Court.

U.S. Courts Overturn President Trump's Mandatory Immigrant Detention Policy, Setting Stage for Supreme Court Review

U.S. Courts Overturn President Trump's Mandatory Immigrant Detention Policy, Setting Stage for Supreme Court Review

The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, along with the 7th Circuit, has ruled against the Trump administration's policy of mandatory detention for immigrants. This policy, which required all immigrants picked up by federal agents to be detained without bond, has been overturned. The courts determined that immigrants not caught at the border are entitled to a bond hearing to assess whether they should remain in detention. This decision affects jurisdictions across the southern border, where many immigrants are held. The rulings come after the Department of Homeland Security had expanded the mandatory detention policy beyond those caught at the border. The issue is now likely to be addressed by the Supreme Court, as appellate courts across the country have been divided on the matter.

On This Day: America Enacted the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937

On This Day: America Enacted the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937

The Marihuana Tax Act of 1937 marked a pivotal moment in the history of drug regulation in the United States. Introduced by Representative Robert L...

Kamala Harris Advocates for Expanding U.S. Supreme Court to 13 Justices

Kamala Harris Advocates for Expanding U.S. Supreme Court to 13 Justices

Former Vice President Kamala Harris has publicly advocated for expanding the United States Supreme Court to 13 justices. This proposal is gaining traction among Democrats who are pushing for court reform to counter what they perceive as a conservative bias in the current nine-member court. Harris made these remarks at the National Urban League’s annual conference in Nashville, emphasizing the need to align the number of justices with the 13 circuit courts in the federal judiciary. Her stance marks a more assertive position compared to her 2020 presidential campaign, where she expressed openness to discussing court expansion. The current composition of the Supreme Court includes six justices appointed by Republican presidents, three of whom were selected by President Trump.