3. Supreme Court & Major Legal Battles

I. Historical Landmark Cases That Shaped America

1. Marbury v. Madison (1803) – Establishing Judicial Review

Issue: Could the Supreme Court force the executive branch to deliver judicial appointments?
Ruling: The Court ruled that it could not compel the action but established judicial review, giving itself the power to strike down unconstitutional laws.
Impact: This decision cemented the Court’s role as a check on Congress and the President.

2. Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857) – Denying Citizenship to African Americans

Issue: Could an enslaved man sue for freedom after living in a free state?
Ruling: The Court declared that African Americans could not be U.S. citizens and Congress had no power to ban slavery in territories.
Impact: The decision fueled tensions leading to the Civil War and was later overturned by the 14th Amendment (1868).

3. Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) – “Separate but Equal” Doctrine

Issue: Did racial segregation violate the 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause?
Ruling: The Court upheld segregation, endorsing the “separate but equal” doctrine.
Impact: This ruling justified Jim Crow laws until Brown v. Board of Education (1954) overturned it.

4. Brown v. Board of Education (1954) – Ending School Segregation

Issue: Was racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional?
Ruling: The Court unanimously struck down segregation, declaring “separate educational facilities are inherently unequal.”
Impact: This ruling ignited the Civil Rights Movement and led to nationwide desegregation efforts.

5. Roe v. Wade (1973) – Legalizing Abortion

Issue: Did the Constitution protect a woman’s right to abortion?
Ruling: The Court ruled that the right to privacy under the 14th Amendment included abortion.
Impact: This decision remained controversial for decades until it was overturned in Dobbs v. Jackson (2022).

6. Citizens United v. FEC (2010) – Corporate Money in Politics

Issue: Could the government restrict corporate spending in elections?
Ruling: The Court ruled that political spending by corporations is free speech, allowing unlimited spending via Super PACs.
Impact: This decision dramatically increased the influence of money in politics.

7. Obergefell v. Hodges (2015) – Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage

Issue: Did states have to recognize same-sex marriages?
Ruling: The Court ruled that the 14th Amendment requires all states to license and recognize same-sex marriages.
Impact: This decision marked a major victory for LGBTQ+ rights.

II. Recent and Ongoing Legal Battles (2020s)

1. Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health (2022) – Overturning Roe v. Wade

Issue: Could states ban abortion before fetal viability?
Ruling: The Court overturned Roe, allowing states to regulate or ban abortion.
Impact: Trigger laws in conservative states immediately banned abortion, while liberal states strengthened protections.

2. New York State Rifle & Pistol Assn. v. Bruen (2022) – Expanding Gun Rights

Issue: Did New York’s strict concealed-carry law violate the Second Amendment?
Ruling: The Court struck down the law, ruling that gun regulations must align with historical tradition.
Impact: This decision has led to challenges against other gun control laws nationwide.

3. Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard (2023) – Ending Affirmative Action

Issue: Could universities consider race in admissions?
Ruling: The Court ruled that race-based affirmative action in college admissions was unconstitutional.
Impact: Universities are now seeking race-neutral alternatives to promote diversity.

4. Trump v. United States (2024) – Presidential Immunity

Issue: Can a former president be prosecuted for official acts?
Ruling: Pending, but the Court’s decision will impact Trump’s federal election interference case.
Potential Impact: A broad immunity ruling could shield presidents from future prosecutions.

5. FDA v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine (2024) – Abortion Pill Access

Issue: Can the FDA’s approval of mifepristone (an abortion drug) be revoked?
Ruling: The Court is expected to uphold FDA authority, but restrictions could still emerge.
Impact: A ruling against the FDA could limit access to abortion even in blue states.

6. NetChoice v. Paxton (Pending) – Social Media Censorship

Issue: Can states like Texas and Florida force social media platforms to host all viewpoints?
Potential Impact: This case could redefine free speech online and content moderation policies.

III. The Supreme Court’s Shifting Ideology

The Court currently has a 6-3 conservative supermajority, leading to dramatic shifts in precedent:

More power to states (e.g., abortion, voting laws).
Expanded gun rights (Bruen).
Reduced federal agency power (challenges to the Chevron doctrine).
Increased religious freedoms (e.g., Kennedy v. Bremerton, allowing prayer in public schools).

Controversies Surrounding the Court

Ethics concerns: Justices like Clarence Thomas faced scrutiny over undisclosed gifts.
Politicization: Critics argue the Court is increasingly partisan, especially after the fast-tracking of Trump appointees.
Public trust decline: Approval ratings have dropped amid polarizing rulings.

Conclusion

The Supreme Court remains one of the most powerful institutions in the U.S., with its rulings shaping civil rights, elections, and daily life. As the Court continues to rule on presidential immunity, abortion, and free speech, its decisions will further define America’s legal and political landscape.

With ongoing debates over judicial ethics, term limits, and the Court’s legitimacy, the future of the Supreme Court—and its role in democracy—remains a heated national conversation.