A look ahead to the momentous decisions awaiting SCOTUS in 2026

2025 was a big year for the Supreme Court, as it repeatedly handed win after win to the Trump administration. Emergency Orders, also known as the shadow docket, let President Donald Trump keep his tariffs in place, withhold foreign aid and conduct immigration raids largely based on racial profiling. But lawsuits filed by complainants mean that many of these cases will be ultimately decided in the new year. Hot button issues such as transgender athletes in sports, whether birthright citizenship is a constitutional right and if redistricting efforts in Louisiana have effectively disenfranchised voters are among many impactful decisions we expect to hear in 2026. 

USA TODAY Justice Department Correspondent Aysha Bagchi joins The Excerpt to share how these cases and others might impact life in America.

Have feedback on the show? Please send us an email at podcasts@usatoday.com. 

Episode transcript available here. 

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