Supreme Court’s Busy Calendar: Key Cases and Upcoming Decisions

The Supreme Court is set to announce 35 final opinions by July, concluding its current term. Cases were argued throughout the year:

• November – 3 cases
• December – 4 cases
• January – 5 cases
• February – 3 cases
• March – 10 cases
• April – 10 cases

The last scheduled non‑argument session was on June 25, though the Court often adds extra sessions at short notice.

High‑Profile Trump Cases

Three major Trump-related cases remain:

Additional TPS matters:

• Mullin v. Doe – Ending Temporary Protected Status for Haiti refugees
• Trump v. Moit – Ending TPS for Syrian refugees

During oral arguments, the Court appeared skeptical of the Department of Justice in Barbara and Cook, but more receptive to DOJ arguments in Slaughter and the TPS cases.

Election Law

• NRSC v. FEC – Could uphold or strike down regulations limiting coordination between parties and candidates, potentially flooding upcoming elections with more money.
• Watson v. RNC – Will decide whether states can count ballots received after Election Day if they are postmarked on the day itself.

Gun Rights

• Wolford v. Lopez – Challenges Hawaii’s rule that restricts handgun owners with concealed carry permits from bringing guns onto private property without express permission. The Court questioned the law’s validity.
• United States v. Hemani – Examines a federal ban on illegal drug users owning firearms; justices expressed doubts.

Gender and Sports

• Little v. Hecox (Idaho) – Challenges state laws banning biological men from competing in women’s sports under the 14th Amendment and Title IX.
• West Virginia v. B. P. J. – Similar challenge under the same constitutional provisions.

Current Rulings

• 23 opinions issued this term (not all favor Trump).
• A February decision struck down Trump's tariffs by a 6‑3 vote.
• Chiles v. Salazar – Found Colorado’s conversion‑therapy ban unconstitutional for limiting free speech.
• First Choice v. Davenport – A crisis pregnancy center won the right to challenge a subpoena for donor lists.
• Louisiana v. Callais – Narrowed Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act for redistricting, giving states more leeway to redraw congressional maps without a primary focus on race.

Of the 23 opinions:

• 15 unanimous (14 at 9‑0 and one at 8‑0).
• Remaining opinions ranged from 8‑1 to 5‑4.

Term Timeline

• The current term officially ends in September, though the Court rarely acts in July, August, or September.
• The next term begins on October 5, with at least one case heard in oral arguments.
• The Court has already announced eight cases for the next term.