Supreme Court Backs Trump on Key Powers, Raises Debate Over Presidential Limits

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The US Supreme Court has delivered a string of rulings this term that notably enhance presidential authority, with Donald Trump standing to gain the most from the legal shift. The conservative-leaning bench has steadily strengthened the executive branch, even in highly divisive policy areas.

In one of its most impactful decisions, the Court voted 6–3 to curtail the scope of nationwide injunctions issued by federal judges. Under this new interpretation, courts may only block federal policies for plaintiffs directly involved in a case, rather than applying rulings nationally. Proponents say the move restores the judiciary’s proper constitutional role and curbs judicial activism. Detractors, however, argue it reduces oversight of the presidency and grants more unchecked power to the executive.

This ruling comes amid a broader pattern. Over the past year, the Supreme Court has expedited decisions that allowed Trump to implement sweeping policies with minimal legal friction. Among them were an executive order targeting birthright citizenship, significant layoffs within the Department of Education, and the ousting of Democratic-aligned officials from federal labour boards. Many of these changes were approved through emergency orders, often issued without oral arguments or published opinions.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor has been a vocal critic of this approach. In her dissent, she warned that the Court’s repeated deference to the executive sets a dangerous precedent. “We are failing in our duty to act as a check,” she wrote, expressing concern over what she sees as growing judicial passivity.

Despite the internal dissent, public sentiment among Republicans and independents appears to be shifting in the Court’s favour, especially after the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Yet a substantial portion of the American public, around 40% according to recent polls, now believes the Supreme Court has grown too powerful, raising fresh questions about judicial impartiality.

Conservative legal scholars maintain that the Court is right to limit lower courts from halting nationwide policies, arguing this approach reinstates the intended separation of powers. They contend that presidents should be allowed to govern decisively, with courts reviewing specific cases rather than obstructing national action wholesale.

With the 2024 election looming, the Supreme Court’s decisions are shaping the landscape of presidential authority. For now, Trump appears emboldened by the Court’s posture and is moving quickly to leverage these legal openings to pursue his policy agenda.