The US Supreme Court kicks off a pivotal nine-month term on Monday, poised to tackle major cases that are set to significantly influence American life.
Returning after a notable term last year that included rulings affecting abortion rights and legal immunity for former President Donald Trump, the justices are gearing up for a series of consequential decisions.
As the presidential elections loom, legal disputes may arise, especially as the nation braces for a closely contested race.
With a conservative majority of six justices, public confidence in the Court is dwindling, with approval ratings hitting a near-record low of 43%.
Looking ahead, here are key cases that could shape national policy.
Major Case on Transgender Care in Tennessee
One of the term’s most anticipated cases is US v Skrmetti, where the Court will examine a challenge from the Biden administration against a Republican-backed ban on gender-affirming care for minors in Tennessee.
Implemented in July 2023, the law restricts certain medical treatments for transgender minors, prohibiting the use of puberty blockers and hormones if it assists the minor in aligning their identity with their gender.
A coalition of transgender youth, their families, and medical providers are joining the Biden administration in contesting the Sixth Circuit Court’s decision to uphold this ban.
The Supreme Court will determine whether the ban infringes upon the 14th Amendment’s equal protection clause, a ruling that may set a precedent across the nation as over 20 states have enacted similar restrictions.
These legislative measures have faced criticism from leading medical organizations advocating for the rights and well-being of transgender youth.
Ghost Guns Regulation Challenge
On the second day of its term, the Supreme Court will hear a significant challenge against a new regulation from the ATF targeting “ghost guns,” firearms that are primarily untraceable and can be assembled from kits at home.
The case, Garland v VanDerStok, will examine whether the ATF has the authority to regulate these DIY firearms similarly to commercial gun sales, including the requirement of serial numbers and background checks.
While the Biden administration introduced these regulations in 2022, a lower court quickly blocked implementation, siding with gun owners and manufacturers claiming the ATF overstepped its power.
Use of Force in Police Shootings Under Review
The Court will also consider a case that seeks to clarify the standard for determining if police officers used reasonable force during confrontations.
A Fifth Circuit panel ruled that a Texas officer acted reasonably when he fatally shot a driver during a 2016 traffic stop, raising questions about the standards governing police conduct.
The case involves the shooting of Ashtian Barnes, who was killed after the officer fired into his car as he attempted to flee during the stop. Barnes’s mother is challenging the ruling, asserting that the officer’s use of deadly force violated her son’s Fourth Amendment rights.
One judge on the panel expressed frustration with the reasoning and has urged the Supreme Court to reconsider the case, suggesting a broader examination of the circumstances surrounding the use of force.
Texas Law on Age Restrictions for Adult Content
Upcoming in this term is a review of a Texas law mandating age verification for visitors to pornography websites, which the adult entertainment industry is challenging in court.
The law stipulates that sites containing explicit content harmful to minors must implement measures to verify the age of users and include health warnings about potential addiction and developmental impacts—claims contested by the industry.
Similar age-verification laws are present in several other states including Arkansas and Louisiana. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for First Amendment rights concerning adult content.
