Amidst the summer’s heat, the Supreme Court prepares to drop its final gavel on Monday, concluding a term that’s been anything but ordinary. Among the lingering shadows is the fate of former President Donald Trump, now a Republican contender once again, as he seeks immunity from prosecution linked to his 2020 election reversal efforts.
In a scene straight out of a political thriller, Chief Justice John Roberts announced July 1 as the term’s finale. “We will reveal all remaining opinions ready during this term of the court,” he declared, setting the stage for what promises to be a dramatic denouement.
The justices are juggling four critical cases, with Trump’s immunity appeal at the forefront. Previously rebuffed by lower courts, Trump argues that his presidential actions should shield him from four election-related criminal charges. The specter of Special Counsel Jack Smith’s indictment looms large.
Also on the docket are hot-button issues like the Republican-driven laws in Florida and Texas aiming to curtail social media giants’ content moderation powers, and a North Dakota convenience store’s challenge to federal debit card swipe fees regulations.
April’s arguments saw the court’s conservative wing hinting at a possible shield for former presidents against certain criminal charges, though Trump’s plea for “absolute immunity” seemed a stretch even for them. The upcoming ruling could trim the edges of Smith’s indictment, potentially delaying Trump’s trial, initially slated for March.
In a significant prelude to the term’s climax, the court’s conservative majority struck down a 1984 precedent bolstering federal regulatory power, a blow to the Biden administration’s ambitions.
Stay tuned as the final curtain falls on this judicial drama, where the stakes are nothing short of historic.
