Mayor Zohran Mamdani has declared his unwavering opposition to the Supreme Court’s decision that allows the Trump administration to revoke deportation protections for Haitian and Syrian migrants. This ruling, which prevents lower courts from intervening, impacts thousands of individuals who have called the United States home. Mamdani emphasized that New York City stands with these communities, vowing to offer support and resources. His administration has previously strengthened sanctuary city policies, further demonstrating a commitment to protecting immigrant New Yorkers.
Read More
The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that President Trump had the authority to remove Federal Trade Commission Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter, a decision that significantly expands presidential power over supposedly independent federal agencies. The conservative majority found that provisions limiting presidential removal of commissioners to “for cause” violate the Constitution’s separation of powers. This ruling overturns the precedent set in *Humphrey’s Executor*, which previously shielded agency members from arbitrary presidential dismissal, leading to concerns that FTC policy will become more politicized.
Read More
In a strong dissent, Justice Sotomayor argued that the Court’s decision grants the President unchecked power, exceeding that of even the English monarch whose authority was historically limited by Parliament. The Constitution, its history, and past practices, Sotomayor maintained, clearly empower Congress to restrict presidential removal of agency heads, a power the Founders never intended to bestow. This ruling, therefore, elevates the President above coequal branches and allows for defiance of the very laws the executive is sworn to uphold.
Read More
In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court has limited presidential authority over the Federal Reserve by refusing Donald Trump’s attempt to immediately remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook. The 5-4 decision stated that Cook, the first Black woman on the Fed’s board, is entitled to statutory protections before facing charges of mortgage fraud. This ruling protects the independence of the central bank, which has been a target of White House pressure, emphasizing its crucial role in economic stability free from political interference.
Read More
The Supreme Court has ruled that Mississippi can continue to count absentee ballots received after Election Day, provided they are postmarked by Election Day. This 5-4 decision, authored by Justice Amy Coney Barrett, rejected a Republican challenge that argued such votes are invalid under federal law. The ruling affirmed that federal election statutes do not prevent states from accepting absentee ballots postmarked by Election Day but received within a grace period afterward, a principle that allows lawful ballots cast on time to be counted. This outcome impacts ongoing efforts to restrict mail-in voting and is seen as a victory for voter access, despite a dissenting opinion arguing it postpones the electorate’s final decision.
Read More
The Supreme Court has expanded presidential authority by striking down a federal law that previously limited the president’s ability to remove members of the Federal Trade Commission. This ruling, which allows for the dismissal of commissioners regardless of cause, overturns a nearly century-old precedent designed to shield agency decisions from political influence. The majority opinion asserts that subordinates exercising the president’s power are ultimately subject to his removal. While this decision has broader implications for several independent agencies, an exception was made for the Federal Reserve.
Read More
The Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision authored by Justice Amy Coney Barrett, ruled that mail-in ballots postmarked by Election Day but arriving late may still be counted. This ruling rejects a challenge by the Republican National Committee and upholds Mississippi’s law, which allows a five-day extension for receiving such ballots. The decision avoids significant upheaval of existing state election laws ahead of the midterm elections, impacting measures in 13 other states that permit late-arriving ballots under similar conditions. This outcome represents a setback for those who have raised concerns about the integrity of mail-in voting.
Read More
The Supreme Court has declined to hear former President Donald Trump’s appeal of a $5 million jury verdict finding him liable for sexually assaulting and defaming writer E. Jean Carroll. This decision upholds the jury’s finding that Trump sexually abused and defamed Carroll nearly three decades ago. Trump’s lawyers had argued that improper evidence was allowed during the trial, but their efforts to overturn this specific verdict have now been exhausted.
Read More
The Supreme Court declined to hear former President Donald Trump’s appeal of a $5 million jury verdict that found him liable for sexually assaulting and defaming writer E. Jean Carroll. This decision upholds the jury’s finding that Trump sexually abused and defamed Carroll nearly three decades ago, with all of Trump’s subsequent appeals of this particular verdict having failed. Trump is also appealing a separate $83.3 million defamation verdict in Carroll’s favor from another jury.
Read More
As the Supreme Court nears the end of its term, several significant decisions are anticipated, potentially altering the scope of presidential authority, particularly concerning actions taken by Donald Trump. These rulings, expected by early July, address critical issues such as immigration policy, the structure of federal agencies, and election regulations, with outcomes that could significantly influence the political landscape. The court is examining the limits of executive power, including attempts to remove leaders of independent agencies and challenges to birthright citizenship. Additionally, rulings are pending on election rules, the participation of transgender athletes in sports, and the use of geofence warrants in investigations, all carrying substantial implications for individual rights and governmental practices.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker