Article Summary –
The Supreme Court will resolve a large number of consequential cases over the next four months, which could impact this fall’s presidential election. The most closely watched case is whether Donald Trump is immune from criminal prosecution on charges of attempting to overturn the results of the 2020 election. The Supreme Court is also dealing with major cases related to free speech online, federal government agency power, access to abortion medication, and has two additional cases involving Trump.
Supreme Court to Resolve Significant Cases That May Shape Presidential Election
In the following four months, the Supreme Court is set to resolve numerous significant cases that could strongly influence the upcoming presidential election. These decisions will tackle some of the nation’s most urgent issues.
Donald Trump’s Immunity from Prosecution
The most anticipated question revolves around Donald Trump’s immunity from criminal charges related to his attempts to overturn the 2020 election results. The Supreme Court’s decision to hear the case in late April has attracted widespread criticism for potentially enabling Trump to postpone his D.C. election obstruction trial until after the 2024 election, where he is the primary Republican candidate.
Much Anticipated Cases and Delayed Rulings
The justices are also handling other crucial cases shaping the future of online free speech, the power of federal government agencies, and access to widely used abortion medication. The Supreme Court is notably behind schedule in issuing rulings for cases heard since the start of the term in October, leaving 92 percent of argued cases yet to be officially resolved.
The Supreme Court in a Critical Position
Steve Vladeck, a law professor at the University of Texas, suggests that the Supreme Court is at a tipping point. This is due to consequential decisions, a major presidential candidate facing criminal prosecution, an influx of emergency applications, and a continued stalemate in Congress on significant current issues.
The Justice’s Increasing Caseload and Slow Pace
Although the justices are taking fewer cases overall, the cases they are dealing with are complex, contributing to the perception that they are involved in every major political issue. The court’s current backlog represents the slowest pace during the tenure of Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr.
Trump’s Legal and Political Troubles Overwhelm the Docket
Trump’s legal and political difficulties appear to have saturated the docket. The Supreme Court has agreed to decide whether states can disqualify Trump from the ballot for his actions around the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. The court has also agreed to review the validity of a law used to charge hundreds of people in connection with the Jan. 6 riot and is a key element of Trump’s obstruction case in Washington.
The Supreme Court’s Decision on Trump’s Immunity Claim
The court’s decision to examine the immunity case suggests a compromise, pushing a potential date for Trump’s D.C. trial into late summer or early fall. With the practical realities of the political calendar, the justices seem indifferent to the impact on the potential trial, which is concerning if they cannot issue a decision until May or June.
Implications for the Upcoming Presidential Election
The Supreme Court’s decisions in these highly consequential cases could significantly shape the course of the upcoming presidential election. The resolution of these cases will likely have significant legal, political, and social impacts.
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