Quick Hit:

As the Supreme Court's 2023 term concludes, justices are poised to deliver decisions on cases involving Trump’s claims of presidential immunity, abortion rights, executive branch power, and gun rights before the court's summer recess.

Key Details:

• Trump v. United States: The Supreme Court will decide whether former President Trump is immune from prosecution for actions taken while in office. This decision impacts his federal cases on election interference and handling classified documents. The court's deliberations suggest Trump might receive partial immunity.

• Fischer v. United States: A ruling is expected on the applicability of the federal obstruction statute to Jan. 6 rioters. The case focuses on whether the statute, initially intended for obstruction of congressional investigations, can be applied more broadly. This decision could affect the charges Trump faces and hundreds of related prosecutions.

• FDA v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine: The court will address challenges to the FDA’s regulation of mifepristone, an abortion drug, with significant implications for medication abortion access and FDA authority. Anti-abortion groups argue that the FDA overstepped its regulatory powers by expanding access to the drug without in-person clinical visits.

• Moyle v. United States and Idaho v. United States: Another significant case will determine if Idaho’s stringent abortion ban, which only permits abortions to save the mother’s life, violates federal law mandating emergency medical treatment. This ruling could have widespread implications for states with strict abortion laws that lack comprehensive health exceptions.

• United States v. Rahimi: The Supreme Court is set to decide whether a federal law prohibiting firearm possession for individuals under domestic violence restraining orders violates the Second Amendment. The ruling will have implications for domestic violence protections and gun ownership rights.

• Garland v. Cargill: The court will also evaluate the legality of the Trump administration’s bump stock ban, which classifies bump stocks under the National Firearms Act. This decision will further define Second Amendment rights and federal regulatory powers.

Diving Deeper:

As the Supreme Court's 2023 term wraps up, several high-stakes cases remain unresolved, including former President Donald Trump’s broad claim of immunity from prosecution. The court's decision on this matter will influence his legal battles, particularly regarding his actions related to the 2020 election and his handling of classified documents post-presidency. During oral arguments, the justices appeared inclined to grant Trump some level of immunity, but the final ruling is still pending.

Another critical case involves the interpretation of a federal obstruction statute used to charge participants in the January 6th Capitol riot. The Supreme Court will decide if this statute, originally intended for obstruction of congressional investigations, can be applied more broadly. The outcome could significantly reduce the number of charges in Trump’s January 6 case and impact many related prosecutions.

In the realm of abortion rights, the court will rule on the legality of the FDA’s regulations on mifepristone, a drug used in two-thirds of U.S. abortions. This case challenges the FDA’s recent measures to increase access to the drug, including extending its use period and allowing mail distribution. A decision against the FDA could restrict medication abortions nationwide and undermine the agency’s regulatory authority.

The justices will also determine if Idaho’s stringent abortion ban, which only permits abortions to save the mother’s life, violates federal law mandating emergency medical treatment. This ruling could have widespread implications for states with strict abortion laws that lack comprehensive health exceptions.

Additionally, the court is poised to decide on two pivotal gun rights cases. One examines the constitutionality of banning firearm possession for individuals under domestic violence restraining orders, while the other evaluates the legality of the Trump administration’s bump stock ban. These decisions will further define Second Amendment rights and federal regulatory powers.