Key Supreme Court Cases to Watch in the 2023-2024 Term

The U.S. Supreme Court’s new term has begun, and it’s already shaping up to be a consequential one. The docket is filled with cases that could impact a range of issues, from gun rights and free speech to administrative power and voting rights. In this article, we’ll highlight some of the most significant cases to watch in the 2023-2024 Supreme Court term.

1. Guns for Domestic Abusers (United States v. Rahimi): On November 7, the court will consider whether individuals with domestic violence restraining orders can possess firearms and whether this law violates the Second Amendment. (Vidal v. Elster): This case, scheduled for November 1, will address whether something that criticizes a public official can be trademarked.

2. Social Media Censorship: The court will review challenges to laws in Florida and Texas that prohibit social media companies from “censoring” users based on their viewpoints. This case raises questions about the First Amendment rights of social media platforms.

3. Racial Gerrymandering (Alexander v. South Carolina State Conference of the NAACP): Set for October 11, this case will determine if South Carolina’s legislative maps constitute racial gerrymandering that discriminates against Black voters.

4. Social Media Blocking (Lindke v. Freed and O’Connor-Ratcliffe v. Garnier): Scheduled for October 31, these cases will decide whether public officials can block people on social media without violating their First Amendment rights.

5. Wealth Taxes (Moore v. United States): This case involves a tax dispute that could have implications for Congress’ ability to impose a wealth tax on billionaires.

6. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB): On October 3, the court will examine whether the statute funding the CFPB violates the Constitution. This case could impact the mortgage market and the broader U.S. economy.

7. T-Shirts Criticizing Trump: This case, scheduled for November 1, will address whether something that criticizes a public official can be trademarked.

8. Federal Agencies (Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo): The court will decide whether to overturn its precedent in Chevron v. National Resources Defense Council, which granted broad power to federal agencies to interpret laws and create regulations.

9. Drug Sentencing (Pulsifer v. United States): The court opened its term with oral arguments in this case, which concerns the interpretation of a federal sentencing law for nonviolent drug offenders.

10. Ethics Guidelines: Alongside these cases, the Supreme Court faces scrutiny regarding ethics guidelines for justices, following reports about their ties to wealthy individuals. The justices are considering how to address these concerns.

This term will play a significant role in shaping legal precedents on crucial issues in the United States. It’s a time when the court will grapple with questions of constitutional rights, government power, and the role of social media in modern society.

As these cases unfold, their outcomes will have far-reaching consequences that impact the lives of Americans for years to come. Stay tuned for updates on these critical legal battles.