Supreme Court Limits Nationwide Injunctions; Trump Scores Major Win

Supreme Court Ends Term with Major Wins for Trump and Conservatives (June 27, 2025)

On June 27, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court concluded its term with a series of landmark rulings that favored conservative legal philosophy and delivered significant wins for former President Donald Trump. Chief among them was a decision limiting the power of lower federal courts to issue nationwide injunctions, a mechanism often used to block Trump’s policies. Other major rulings touched on birthright citizenship, LGBTQ+ content in schools, online pornography restrictions, Obamacare’s preventive care mandate, internet subsidies, and a delayed decision on Louisiana’s redistricting case.

Detailed Breakdown of Key Rulings

Nationwide Injunctions Curtailed (Trump v. CASA Inc.)

• Ruling: 6-3
• Majority Opinion: Justice Amy Coney Barrett
• Key Issue: Can lower courts block federal policies nationwide before final judgment?
• Decision: Lower courts can no longer issue nationwide injunctions unless part of class-action relief.
• Impact: Strengthens presidential authority, weakens judicial checks.
• Dissent: Justice Sonia Sotomayor warned the ruling “gives way” to executive overreach.

LGBTQ+ School Curriculum – Parental Opt-Out Rights (Mahmoud v. Taylor)

• Ruling: 6-3
• Majority: Justice Samuel Alito
• Issue: Can parents opt their children out of LGBTQ+-inclusive lessons?
• Decision: Yes—based on First Amendment religious rights.
• Impact: Schools nationwide must allow religious-based curriculum exemptions.
• Dissent: Justice Sotomayor warned this risks “fracturing public education.”

Texas Porn Age Verification Law Upheld

• Ruling: 6-3
• Majority: Justice Clarence Thomas
• Issue: Do adult content restrictions violate free speech?
• Decision: States can require age verification to protect minors.
• Dissent: Justice Elena Kagan criticized burdens on adult privacy and access.

Obamacare Preventive Care Survives (Kennedy v. Braidwood)

• Ruling: 6-3
• Majority: Justices Roberts and Kavanaugh joined liberal bloc.
• Decision: ACA mandate for free preventive care (e.g., PrEP, screenings) remains intact.
• Impact: Preserves no-cost services for over 150 million Americans.

FCC Internet Subsidy Program Upheld (FCC v. Consumers Research)

• Ruling: 6-3
• Majority: Justice Elena Kagan
• Decision: FCC’s $8B Universal Service Fund is constitutional.
• Impact: Keeps broadband and phone subsidies flowing to rural and underserved communities.

Louisiana Racial Gerrymandering Case Deferred

• Ruling: No final decision
• Issue: Legality of second majority-Black district in LA’s map.
• Outcome: Court ordered re-argument in next term (Oct 2025).
• Impact: Affects 2026 midterms, future VRA-based redistricting.

Comparison Table of Rulings

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What does the nationwide injunction ruling mean?

A: Lower courts can no longer block federal policies nationwide unless the case is a certified class action. This makes it harder to stop presidential actions with a single court ruling.

Q2: Is birthright citizenship now banned?

A: No. The Court did not rule on the constitutionality of Trump’s executive order. It only sent the case back to lower courts to revise the scope of their injunctions. A final decision may come in October 2025.

Q3: Does the Texas porn ruling affect all states?

A: It sets a precedent. While it only upholds Texas’ law, other states are likely to follow with similar laws; now less vulnerable to constitutional challenge.

Q4: Who were the biggest winners of this term?

A: President Donald Trump, conservative judicial philosophy, religious rights advocates, and rural broadband supporters all gained ground. Public education, civil liberties advocates, and racial justice proponents saw mixed results.

Q5: What’s next?

The Louisiana gerrymandering case will return next term. Also, a future challenge to Trump’s birthright order is expected.