The Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that information about the federal government’s post-9/11 torture program at CIA “black sites” is protected by the “state secrets privilege,” a doctrine that allows the government to withhold information in litigation when disclosing it would compromise national security. The fractured decision in United States v. Zubaydah, written by Justice… Read More
Fractured majority allows government to withhold information on torture at CIA black sites
Justices allow Kentucky’s attorney general to take over legal defense of state’s abortion law
The Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that Kentucky’s attorney general should have been allowed to intervene to defend a state law restricting abortion after another state official declined to do so – even when the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit had already struck down the law. The 8-1 decision in Cameron v…. Read More
Jackson submits Senate Judiciary questionnaire, prepares to start meeting with senators
Just four days after President Joe Biden nominated her to succeed Justice Stephen Breyer, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson submitted her responses to a questionnaire that the Senate Judiciary Committee will use as it considers her nomination. Her responses repeat many of the details in the questionnaire that she submitted in 2021 when she was nominated… Read More
Justices agree to review constitutionality of Indian Child Welfare Act
The Supreme Court on Monday added another high-profile dispute to what is shaping up to be a blockbuster 2022-23 term. The justices granted review in a quartet of cases challenging the constitutionality of a federal law intended to protect against the separation of Native American families. Supporters of the law contend that a ruling that… Read More
In climate-change case, justices grapple with EPA’s role, congressional intent, and their own jurisdiction
For two hours on Monday, the justices probed the extent of the Environmental Protection Agency’s authority to regulate greenhouse gases in a case with high stakes for the Biden administration’s plans to slow climate change. By the end of the oral argument, there were no clear indications about how the court is likely to rule…. Read More
Greenhouse gases and “major questions”: Justices to hear argument on EPA’s power to tackle climate change
Three days after President Joe Biden named Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson as his nominee to succeed the retiring Justice Stephen Breyer, Breyer and his colleagues will return to the bench on Monday morning to hear oral argument in a case involving the Environmental Protection Agency’s authority to regulate greenhouse gases. Although the case hinges on… Read More
In historic first, Biden nominates Jackson to Supreme Court
President Joe Biden on Friday nominated Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to be a Supreme Court justice. Biden’s announcement fulfilled his campaign pledge to nominate the first Black woman to serve on the court. If the 51-year-old Jackson is confirmed to succeed 83-year-old Justice… Read More
Justices probe states’ effort to defend Trump immigration rule after Biden stopped defending it in court
The Supreme Court heard oral argument on Wednesday in a case involving whether a group of states can defend a contentious Trump-era immigration policy known as the “public charge” rule after the Biden administration refused to do so. After nearly 90 minutes of debate in Arizona v. City and County of San Francisco, several of… Read More
Next term’s docket will include cases on veterans’ benefits, unclaimed MoneyGram checks
The Supreme Court on Tuesday morning issued more orders from the justices’ private conference last week. On Friday the justices agreed to decide whether the Biden administration must continue to enforce the Trump-era program known as the “remain in Mexico” policy, and on Tuesday they added another high-profile case, involving a website designer who seeks… Read More
Justices will hear dispute from GOP-led states over Biden’s refusal to defend legality of Trump-era immigration rule
On Wednesday, the Supreme Court will hear oral argument in a dispute over whether a group of states, led by Arizona, can defend a contentious Trump-era immigration policy known as the “public charge” rule after the Biden administration declined to do so. The oral argument in Arizona v. City and County of San Francisco comes… Read More