US Supreme Court to rule on birthright, election and transgender athlete cases: What to know | Today’s news
The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to wrap up its current term in the coming days with seven major cases, including several that could significantly reshape presidential powers, immigration policy, voting rules and the rights of transgender athletes.
The court, which has a 6-3 conservative majority, is expected to start issuing its rulings from Monday (June 29). These decisions are expected to have far-reaching political and legal implications ahead of the 2026 US elections.
Here’s a look at the biggest cases still pending.
1. Shooting of federal officials
Three of the remaining cases involve President Donald Trump’s efforts to expand presidential powers.
The court is reviewing whether Trump had the constitutional authority to fire officials serving at independent federal agencies, including the Federal Reserve and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
Trump argues that presidents should generally have the power to fire executive branch officials regardless of statutory protections created by Congress.
A ruling in his favor could weaken the independence of several federal agencies and expand presidential control over the executive branch.
2. Birthright citizenship
One of the most closely watched cases involves Trump’s executive order, which seeks to limit automatic U.S. citizenship for children born in the country.
The order would grant citizenship only if at least one parent is a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.
The administration says the policy is necessary to curb illegal immigration and birth tourism.
Opponents say it violates the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution, which has long been understood to guarantee citizenship to almost anyone born on US soil.
If implemented, the regulation could affect roughly 250,000 children born each year to undocumented immigrants and temporary visa holders.
3. Can Trump fire independent agency officials?
Another major case focuses on whether presidents can fire the leaders of independent federal agencies without cause.
The dispute involves Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook and former FTC Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter.
Lower courts have ruled that Trump overstepped his authority in firing the officials.
Trump is asking the Supreme Court to overturn a 91-year-old precedent that limits presidential power over independent agencies.
Such a decision could fundamentally change how independent regulators operate in the United States.
4. Suffrage cases
The court is also considering two disputes that could change the election rules before the midterm elections in November.
One case challenges longstanding federal restrictions on how closely political parties can coordinate campaign spending with candidates.
Republicans say the limits violate First Amendment free speech protections.
Another case asks whether mail-in ballots in federal elections must arrive by Election Day to be counted.
If the court agrees, it would eliminate post-election grace periods currently allowed in 29 states, potentially affecting millions of voters.
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5. Transgender athletes
The Supreme Court is also expected to rule on whether states can ban transgender girls and women from competing on women’s sports teams at public schools and universities.
The cases involve laws passed in Idaho and West Virginia.
Proponents argue that the laws preserve fairness in women’s sports.
Human rights groups say it discriminates against transgender students and violates constitutional protections.
The conservative majority seemed inclined to uphold state law during oral arguments.
Trump’s recent record at the Supreme Court
Trump has had mixed results on the Supreme Court this year.
The court recently handed his administration victories in two immigration cases, including allowing the government to end temporary protected status for hundreds of thousands of migrants from crisis-hit countries.
But in February, the justices dealt a setback to Trump when they rejected his use of emergency powers to impose sweeping tariffs under a national emergency law.
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