All articles tagged with #judicial decisions
The Supreme Court recently declined to hear a case that could have challenged same-sex marriage rights, indicating that, for now, same-sex marriage remains protected following the 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges decision, despite conservative opposition and recent shifts in judicial attitudes.
The Supreme Court declined to revisit its 2015 landmark decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, which recognized a constitutional right to same-sex marriage, thereby maintaining the precedent amid concerns from conservatives about potential reversals. The case involved Kim Davis, a Kentucky clerk who refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples due to religious objections, but the court's decision to deny her appeal does not set a new legal precedent.
Justice Amy Coney Barrett emphasized that the Supreme Court's role is to interpret the law, not to reflect public opinion, as it faces a potential challenge to its 2015 ruling legalizing same-sex marriage, with some predicting the court might send the issue back to the states. She highlighted the importance of understanding the law as grounded in the Constitution and statutes, rather than personal or popular values.
A U.S. District Judge, Joseph Laplante, has issued a nationwide injunction protecting birthright citizenship for infants, despite recent Supreme Court limitations on universal injunctions, by certifying a class of affected individuals and emphasizing that his order applies to all children born in the U.S., regardless of their parents' immigration status. This decision demonstrates that district judges can still defend constitutional rights through class actions, even after the Supreme Court's restrictions.
The recent Supreme Court term saw significant victories for social and religious conservatives, including restrictions on public schools and transgender healthcare, while also benefiting President Trump through decisions that limit lower courts' power and uphold his policies. Conversely, it rejected some conservative business initiatives, notably on Obamacare and federal agency regulation, revealing a complex and often partisan judicial landscape that could worsen with future appointments.
The recent Supreme Court term was highly favorable to Trump, with a conservative majority issuing numerous emergency rulings that largely supported his policies, including significant decisions on immigration, transgender rights, and religious freedoms, often using expedited procedures that limited transparency and debate.
The Supreme Court is set to deliver its final rulings of the term, including a highly anticipated decision on President Trump's executive order on birthright citizenship, along with rulings on cases involving LGBTQ rights in schools, healthcare coverage under Obamacare, and voting district maps, marking a significant and busy last day of the court's session.