Supreme Court Term Nears End: 23 Major Cases Await Decision

With only 23 cases left to decide out of 58 argued this term, the Supreme Court faces a backlog of critical disputes touching on citizenship, transgender rights, presidential power, voting, immigration, privacy, and gun control.

Already Decided

The Court has issued rulings in two significant cases this term:

• Struck down a Trump tariff program, ruling Congress had not authorized it.
• Upheld challenges to voting rights, leading to redistricting.

Remaining Cases

Birthright Citizenship

Trump v. Barbara

This case asks whether children born in the U.S. to noncitizen parents are entitled to citizenship under the Fourteenth Amendment. The Trump administration argues the Amendment applies only to children of former slaves. Lower courts have ruled the executive order unconstitutional.

Transgender Athlete Bans

Little v. Hecox and West Virginia v. B.P.J.

These cases challenge state laws banning transgender girls and women from participating in women's sports at publicly funded schools. Supporters cite competitive fairness; opponents argue discrimination under federal law and the Equal Protection Clause.

Independence of Government Agencies

Trump v. Slaughter

The Court will decide whether the president can fire heads of independent agencies at will, challenging a precedent dating to 1935.

Trump v. Cook

A similar issue regarding the Federal Reserve Board. The Court previously allowed a temporary stay on firing.

Mail-in Ballots

Watson v. Republican National Committee

The case examines whether states can count ballots received after Election Day if postmarked by that day.

Temporary Protected Status

Mullin v. Doe and Trump v. Miot

Challenges to the Trump administration's attempt to terminate TPS for Haiti and Syria. The administration argues courts cannot review TPS decisions.

Geofencing Warrants

Chatrie v. US

The Court will assess whether law enforcement can obtain location data from tech companies via warrants for users within a specific geographic area during a crime.

Gun Regulations

Wolford v. Lopez and US v. Hemani

Cases on requiring advance permission to carry firearms on private property and on prohibiting drug users from possessing guns, both testing the limits of the Second Amendment.

These undecided cases represent some of the most consequential legal questions of the term, with rulings expected to shape American law for years to come.