Supreme Court opens term with immigration, gun, and climate cases amid Trump backlash

Key points

• The Court will hear arguments on a climate case involving state lawsuits against oil giants, as well as cases on religious land use and military benefits in divorce settlements.
• Two major immigration cases are on the docket: one regarding mandatory detention for noncitizens and another concerning deportations to third countries.
• The Court is set to review the constitutionality of bans on AR-15-style weapons and Arizona’s law requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration.
• Trump expressed regret over his judicial nominations on Truth Social and in a Time interview, claiming the justices are not the people he interviewed.
• The Court previously blocked the administration’s attempt to rewrite mail-in voting rules, a move that triggered significant presidential criticism.

Background

This term follows a previous session where the Court rejected Trump’s attempt to undermine birthright citizenship but granted several shadow docket wins on immigration and voting. Recent archive coverage highlights ongoing legal battles over transgender military discharges, prison gender care restrictions, and the legality of ICE’s mandatory detention policy, which has faced rejection from nine of eleven federal appeals courts.

How outlets are covering it

Axios emphasizes the tension between the executive and judicial branches, noting Trump’s public frustration with the Court despite its support for other executive actions. The Washington Post highlights the breadth of the docket, including potential cases on the Ten Commandments in schools and a possible justice retirement. KOMO focuses on the Second Amendment case and the scrutiny of the Jack Smith probe, while noting the Court’s new term begins with major constitutional questions.

Why it matters

The outcomes of these cases will significantly impact immigration enforcement, gun rights, climate liability, and voting regulations. The Court’s decisions could reshape federal policy and influence the upcoming midterm elections, particularly regarding mail-in ballots and voter eligibility.

What to watch

The Court will hear arguments on the climate case on Monday, with decisions on immigration and gun rights expected later in the term. Additional cases may be added to the docket, and the Court may address potential retirements among its justices.