In an unexpected move, the US Supreme Court announced an extra day this week, signaling a potential rush to finish the current term. The country’s highest court added Thursday and Friday to its schedule, supplementing the previously announced Wednesday session.
The change was revealed in a post on X, formerly Twitter, by Josh Gerstein, a senior journalist of legal affairs, who wrote: “JUST IN: #SCOTUS announced Thursday and Friday this week as opinion days in addition to those announced before Wednesday. the chance to remove deck by there.
The development comes as the court faces a backlog of more than two dozen cases awaiting a decision. The judges usually aim to finish the term at the end of June or the beginning of July, taking a break until the next session starts on the first Monday in October, as provided by law.
JUST IN: #SCOTUS announced Thursday and Friday this week as opinion days in addition to the previously announced Wednesday. Still a chance to clear the decks on Friday.
– Josh Gerstein (@joshgerstein) June 24, 2024
The extended timetable has fueled speculation about the court’s intention to speed up rulings on some high-profile cases. Among the most anticipated is a decision on whether presidential immunity protects former President Donald Trump from criminal charges related to his conduct while in office. The case has received significant attention because of its potential implications for executive power and accountability.
Another important case awaiting resolution is Moyle v. United States of America, which focuses on Idaho’s abortion ban and its interaction with the federal Emergency Medical Care and Labor Act. The results could have far-reaching consequences for abortion access nationwide, especially in states where the procedure was outlawed after it was overturned. Roe v. Wade in 2022.
The court is also expected to rule United States v. Rahimi, which will determine the constitutionality of a federal law prohibiting people under domestic violence orders from possessing firearms. The decision could have significant implications for gun rights and domestic violence prevention efforts.
In addition, the judge is set to deal with two cases regarding government regulation of social media content, including censorship of certain political views. The ruling could reshape the policy landscape of online moderation and online speech.
Another important case, Fischer v. United States of America, will decide whether federal prosecutors can charge people involved in the January 6, 2021 riots at the US Capitol with obstructing official proceedings. The ruling could lead to prosecutions related to what happened that day.
Newsweek has reached out to the US Supreme Court via email for comment.
Legal experts have suggested that the move may be aimed at avoiding multiple decisions in one day.
Image Andrew Harnik/Getty
Dan Urman, a professor of law specializing in the US Supreme Court at Northeastern University, previously said Newsweek that is unexpected for the court to increase the day so, given the number of cases before them, adding that “justice wants to finish with the term at the end of June and probably wants to avoid publishing too many decisions in a single day.”
With the addition of this extra session, the court looks set to deliver a flurry of consequential decisions before the end of the month, potentially changing the course of several legal and political debates across the country.
Uncommon knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for a common field.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for a common field.
