Explore the upcoming Supreme Court cases on gun rights, federal agency power, and reproductive rights. Learn about the controversies surrounding the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's funding model. Discuss the implications of cases against former President Donald Trump and the potential Supreme Court ruling on his claim of immunity from prosecution. Consider the possibility of investigations into Supreme Court justices' activities and the impact of a code of conduct.
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Quick takeaways
The Supreme Court will be examining cases related to gun rights, including the legality of bump stocks and restrictions on gun ownership for individuals subject to domestic violence restraining orders.
The Court will address First Amendment cases regarding social media, such as regulation of misleading COVID-19 posts and state laws restricting content moderation abilities, which could impact free speech rights online and social media regulation leading up to the 2024 election.
Deep dives
Gun Rights Cases
The Supreme Court will be taking up several cases regarding gun rights, including the legality of bump stocks and a ban on dangerous people owning firearms. The Court will examine whether the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms had the authority to ban bump stocks, devices that allow semi-automatic rifles to fire more rapidly. Another case involves a federal law that restricts gun ownership for individuals subject to domestic violence restraining orders. The Court will consider whether this law aligns with Second Amendment protections.
First Amendment and Social Media
The Supreme Court will address several First Amendment cases related to social media. These cases involve the Biden administration's efforts to regulate misleading COVID-19 posts, state laws that restrict social media companies' content moderation abilities, and the discretion of public officials to block individuals on social media. These cases have significant implications for free speech rights online and could impact the regulation of social media platforms leading up to the 2024 election.
The CFPB's Funding and the SEC's Authority
The Supreme Court will examine the funding model of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and the extent of the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) enforcement power. The CFPB's funding system, which bypasses the congressional appropriation process, is being challenged as potentially unconstitutional. The SEC's use of in-house judges in enforcement actions is also under scrutiny, with arguments centered around the right to a jury trial. These cases could impact the independence and regulatory reach of these federal agencies.
Trump's Legal Woes
Former President Donald Trump's legal troubles are making their way to the Supreme Court. Special Counsel Jack Smith has asked the Court to rule on whether Trump has immunity from criminal prosecution for alleged crimes committed while in office. Additionally, there are cases challenging the Colorado Supreme Court's decision to keep Trump off the ballot based on the 14th Amendment's insurrection clause. These cases have the potential to shape the legal boundaries of presidential accountability and could impact Trump's political future.
During its last two terms, the US Supreme Court and its six-member Republican-appointed supermajority showed its power to shape important policy issues that affect all Americans, bringing down significant and highly controversial rulings on abortion, student loan forgiveness and affirmative action. So what’s next?
Bloomberg Supreme Court reporter Greg Stohr looks ahead at which cases are likely to be of greatest consequence this term—spanning gun rights, reproductive rights, speech on social media and how much power federal agencies should have. And later, we look at Donald Trump’s federal prosecutions, one of which is already before the court thanks to an extraordinary request from Special Counsel Jack Smith.
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