PBS NewsHour - Supreme Court

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The latest news and analysis about key cases and critical arguments before the Supreme Court. (Updated periodically) PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

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PBS NewsHour - Supreme Court episodes:

04.16.2024
Supreme Court questions use of obstruction law in Jan. 6 cases
The Supreme Court heard arguments on Tuesday in a case looking at an obstruction law used to prosecute hundreds of Jan. 6 rioters. The obstruction statute is also key to various legal challenges facing former President Donald Trump. Geoff Bennett...
03.26.2024
Reproductive rights before Supreme Court again with abortion pill access at stake
The Supreme Court heard arguments in a major case that could further limit when and how women in America can get an abortion. The case centers on access to the most widely used abortion pill mifepristone. It's the latest in...
03.25.2024
Future of abortion pill mifepristone will be decided by Supreme Court
The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments Tuesday over whether to restrict access to mifepristone, one of two drugs used in medication abortions. The case will be the first the court has heard on abortion since it overturned Roe v....
03.25.2024
Stephen Breyer on new book 'Reading the Constitution' and debate over how to interpret it
For as long as America has had a constitution, there's been debate over how to interpret it. That's particularly true when it comes to hot-button Supreme Court cases. For nearly 30 years, Stephen Breyer served on the nation's highest court,...
03.24.2024
Why 2024 may be the most consequential election for reproductive rights in 50 years
The Supreme Court will hear arguments on Tuesday in a case challenging FDA rules that make it easier to get mifepristone, the medication that accounts for more than half of all U.S. abortions. John Yang speaks with legal historian Mary...
03.20.2024
Controversial Texas immigration law back on hold as appeals court hears arguments
After a series of legal back and forths, an immigration law in Texas is back in the hands of an appeals court. The law gives state officials the power to arrest migrants who they believe crossed into the U.S. illegally....
03.19.2024
Supreme Court clears way for Texas police to arrest and deport migrants
The U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for Texas to enforce a controversial immigration law that allows state officials to arrest and deport migrants who cross the border illegally. Challenges to the law are not over as the justices sent...
03.18.2024
Analyzing the arguments as Supreme Court hears 2 cases centered on free speech
The First Amendment was at the center of two key Supreme Court arguments on Monday. One honed in on social media companies' handling of misinformation while the powerful gun lobby, the National Rifle Association, was at the center of the...
03.04.2024
Supreme Court says only Congress, not states, can remove Trump from presidential ballots
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously that individual states cannot remove former President Donald Trump from their ballots based on the 14th Amendment. In an unsigned opinion, the court said only Congress, not states, can disqualify presidential candidates under the...
02.28.2024
Supreme Court agrees to decide if Trump is immune from election interference prosecution
The Supreme Court says it will hear arguments over whether Donald Trump is immune from prosecution for his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. The justices set oral arguments for the week of April 22. Trump's pending trial in...
02.26.2024
Supreme Court hears cases involving free speech rights on social media
The Supreme Court heard arguments in highly consequential cases navigating First Amendment protections on social media. Tech companies are taking on state laws, decrying conservative censorship online. A decision could fundamentally change the use of speech on the internet. Amna...
02.08.2024
What Supreme Court justices signaled in hearing on removing Trump from Colorado ballot
The Supreme Court heard arguments in a landmark election case looking at whether Donald Trump's actions on Jan. 6 should disqualify him from appearing on Colorado's ballot. The justices scrutinized an obscure provision in the 14th Amendment at the center...
02.07.2024
Supreme Court to decide if insurrection clause can block Trump from Colorado ballot
The Supreme Court will hear arguments in one of the most consequential election cases in the nation's history. Does the Civil War-era insurrection clause of the 14th Amendment disqualify Donald Trump from holding higher office? The court will hear a...
01.25.2024
Border standoff between Texas, feds intensifies as governor defies Supreme Court ruling
This week, the Supreme Court sided with federal agents to remove razor wire put in place by Texas along the Rio Grande. The state is using wire and state agents to block Border Patrol from accessing a section of the...
12.20.2023
Ruling blocking Trump from Colorado primary ballot sets up high-stakes legal battle
A court decision could have a major impact on the 2024 race for the White House. A divided Colorado Supreme Court ruled Donald Trump is ineligible to serve as president under the Constitution's insurrection clause and barred him from that...
12.18.2023
The barriers women still face in the legal profession decades after O'Connor's appointment
Sandra Day O'Connor, the first woman to serve on the Supreme Court, lay in repose Monday, giving members of the public the chance to pay their respects. While the court has changed substantially since O'Connor first joined the bench more...
12.15.2023
Report gives an inside look at how the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade
The Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade upended the landscape of reproductive rights and made it a central issue in some elections. A story from The New York Times explains some of the internal dynamics of the court, from...
11.13.2023
New Supreme Court ethics code 'does very little' to hold justices accountable, expert says
The nine Supreme Court justices handed down a surprise unanimous decision binding themselves to a new code of ethics. It comes after criticism over undisclosed perks for some of the justices. Amna Nawaz unpacked the court's new rules with Kathleen...
11.07.2023
In domestic violence gun ban case, Supreme Court considers dangers and due process
The Supreme Court heard a case on Tuesday about whether people with domestic violence court orders should be barred from owning guns. Supreme Court analyst Marcia Coyle joins Geoff Bennett to discuss the arguments. PBS NewsHour is supported by -...
10.31.2023
Supreme Court takes on cases involving public officials blocking social media followers
The Supreme Court heard arguments in two key cases about how public officials use social media. The cases explore whether two school board members in California and a city manager in Michigan violated the First Amendment by blocking constituents from...
10.17.2023
College admissions essays more important for students after end of affirmative action
Students who are starting to apply to colleges for the coming year are the first class to deal with the impact of the Supreme Court's decision to overturn affirmative action. For many high school students, this annual rite of passage...
10.11.2023
Supreme Court hears arguments in key racial gerrymandering case from South Carolina
The Supreme Court heard arguments in a key racial gerrymandering case out of South Carolina. The state redrew its congressional map and moved thousands of Black voters out of a competitive district, making it reliably Republican and diluting the Black...
10.10.2023
Dred Scott's struggle for freedom honored with new memorial
The name Dred Scott is synonymous with the struggle for freedom. Now, 165 years after the Supreme Court case that bears his name, Scott's gravesite is a memorial befitting that legacy. NewsHour Communities Correspondent Gabrielle Hays reports. PBS NewsHour is...
10.02.2023
The major cases on the docket as Supreme Court begins new term
A new term for the U.S. Supreme Court kicks off this week. On the docket are consequential cases that could determine the future of key issues like gun ownership and redistricting. Looming large over this term are also calls for...
09.22.2023
New investigation links Justice Thomas to Koch network fundraiser events
Another new investigation by Pro Publica raises serious questions over undisclosed connections between Justice Clarence Thomas and powerful people who have brought cases before the Supreme Court. William Brangham talks to ProPublica's Joshua Kaplan about Thomas' attendance at a Koch...
08.11.2023
Supreme Court blocks Purdue Pharma bankruptcy plan shielding owners from lawsuits
The Supreme Court blocked a bankruptcy plan for drug maker Purdue Pharma that would have paid out billions of dollars to address the opioid epidemic and shielded the company's owners from legal liability. The Justice Department argued that shielding the...
08.10.2023
Report reveals Justice Thomas secretly benefited from network of wealthy patrons
There are new details about the gifts Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has gotten from wealthy businessmen. ProPublica provided the fullest account yet of the gifts and there are far more than previously known. John Yang discussed the story with...
07.13.2023
Affirmative action ruling prompts new push to end legacy admissions
The Supreme Court ruling against affirmative action in college admissions has renewed the debate over legacy admissions. A Boston-based nonprofit filed a complaint alleging Harvard's legacy and donor-based admissions favors white students, and the NAACP called on 1,600 public and...
07.02.2023
What the Supreme Court's latest term tells us about its future direction
The U.S. Supreme Court ended its term this past week with the six conservative justices again flexing their supermajority to make big changes in law and society. Marcia Coyle, the PBS NewsHour's Supreme Court analyst, joins John Yang to discuss...
06.30.2023
Biden pledges alternative plan after Supreme Court strikes down student debt relief
The Supreme Court struck down President Biden's plan to cancel more than $400 billion in student loan debt. The decision affects more than 40 million borrowers, but the president insisted that his fight is not over and pledged an alternative...
06.30.2023
Colleges adapt admissions programs in wake of affirmative action ruling
As colleges and universities digest the Supreme Court ruling that effectively ended affirmative action, schools are left to grapple with how to revamp their admission policies to ensure the diversity of their campuses. That will be a challenge and some...
06.30.2023
Brooks and Capehart on the implications of the Supreme Court's landmark decisions
New York Times columnist David Brooks and Washington Post associate editor Jonathan Capehart join Geoff Bennett to discuss the week in politics, including the implications of the Supreme Court's major decisions this week. PBS NewsHour is supported by -...
06.29.2023
Univ. of Michigan president on achieving diversity without affirmative action
The fallout of the Supreme Court's affirmative action decisions will have major implications on colleges and universities across the country. One that knows the impact of ending race-based admissions all too well is the University of Michigan. University President Santa...
06.29.2023
Breaking down the Supreme Court's ruling ending affirmative action in college admissions
The U.S. Supreme Court dealt a major blow to affirmative action in higher education, striking down race-conscious admissions programs at Harvard University and the University of North Carolina. The ruling has widespread implications for the future of higher education. Geoff...
06.27.2023
Supreme Court rejects legal theory that could have thrown 2024 election into disarray
The Supreme Court rejected a legal theory that state legislatures have almost unlimited power to decide the rules for federal elections and draw partisan congressional maps without interference from state courts. Trump allies raised the theory as part of an...
06.21.2023
Poll shows Americans' trust in Supreme Court remains low
This week marks the anniversary of the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade. It also marks critical days in the current Supreme Court term with major rulings expected on affirmative action, religious and LGBTQ+ rights. This as trust in...
06.21.2023
Supreme Court Justice Alito faces scrutiny over undisclosed luxury trip from GOP donor
Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito took an undisclosed trip with billionaire donors, including hedge fund manager Paul Singer who later had business before the court. Coupled with previous reporting on Justice Thomas and megadonor Harlan Crow, it raises more ethical...
06.21.2023
Major decisions expected from Supreme Court could reshape education and immigration policy
Major decisions expected from the Supreme Court in the coming days could reshape higher education and immigration policy. Geoff Bennett discussed the cases with NewsHour Supreme Court Analyst Marcia Coyle. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
05.30.2023
U.S. colleges divided over whether to end legacy admissions
In the coming weeks, the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to issue its ruling on the use of race in college admissions. The case is focusing attention on other practices used in admissions that may need to change, including the...
05.19.2023
New book 'Shadow Docket' explores Supreme Court's growing influence on American law
A new book explores the Supreme Court's growing influence on the country through emergency actions on cases not on the official docket. For the past decade or so, the court has gotten involved in cases concerning big issues, often setting...
05.15.2023
A look at primary elections and battles over abortion rights at the state level
There are political battles on the state level this week with a handful of primary races heating up and action on abortion laws. We check in with reporters Colin Campbell of North Carolina, Ryland Barton of Kentucky and Katie Meyer...
05.05.2023
Payments made to Justice Thomas' wife raise more ethical questions about Supreme Court
For the fourth time in a month, a report raises questions about Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and his rich friends. This time it's money going to Ginni Thomas, the justice's wife. According to the Washington Post, Leonard Leo directed...
05.02.2023
Senate probes Supreme Court ethics after questionable financial dealings by justices
Lawmakers on Capitol Hill are spotlighting recent ethics concerns surrounding the highest court in the land. In a Judiciary Committee hearing Tuesday, senators debated how to address concerns involving Supreme Court justices, including whether they should apply ethical guidelines to...
02.28.2023
Breaking down the arguments as Supreme Court hears challenge to student loan relief plan
The fate of student debt relief promised for some 40 million Americans is in the hands of the Supreme Court. The justices heard arguments in high-stakes cases over the legality of President Biden's student loan forgiveness plan. John Yang discussed...
01.19.2023
Supreme Court says it hasn't identified Roe v. Wade draft opinion leaker
It was a political earthquake last May when the draft Supreme Court opinion overturning Roe v. Wade was leaked almost two months before the ruling was handed down. Chief Justice John Roberts launched an investigation but said the court has...
01.02.2023
A look at the big issues that inspired new state laws taking effect in 2023
The start of this new year is bringing with it some new state laws. Thousands of bills were passed in state legislatures in 2022, but there are a few issues that stand out for which many states have decided to...
12.08.2022
Lawmakers pass landmark legislation aimed at protecting same-sex marriages
Congress gave final approval to a bill requiring all states to recognize same-sex and interracial marriages. It passed the House with nearly 40 Republicans joining Democrats in support. On the floor, arguments focused on protecting marriage rights against a conservative...
12.05.2022
Supreme Court hears case pitting gay rights against religious freedom
The rights of same-sex couples are once again before the U.S. Supreme Court. Justices on Monday heard arguments in a case that wrestles with the blurred lines separating free speech, religious beliefs and discrimination. John Yang looks at the history...
12.04.2022
A look ahead at two cases before the Supreme Court this week
The Supreme Court will hear two cases this week -- Creative v. Elenis and Moore v. Harper -- that have the potential to reshape anti-discrimination laws and the future of federal elections nationwide. John Yang joins Geoff Bennett to discuss....
11.14.2022
News Wrap: CIA director meets with Russian counterpart
In our news wrap Monday, CIA Director William Burns met with his Russian intelligence counterpart to convey the consequences if Moscow were to use a nuclear weapon in Ukraine, police arrested a Syrian woman suspected of carrying out the bombing...

What's PBS NewsHour - Supreme Court about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

PBS NewsHour - Supreme Court episodes:

Supreme Court questions use of obstruction law in Jan. 6 cases

Reproductive rights before Supreme Court again with abortion pill access at stake

Future of abortion pill mifepristone will be decided by Supreme Court

Stephen Breyer on new book 'Reading the Constitution' and debate over how to interpret it

Why 2024 may be the most consequential election for reproductive rights in 50 years

Controversial Texas immigration law back on hold as appeals court hears arguments

Supreme Court clears way for Texas police to arrest and deport migrants

Analyzing the arguments as Supreme Court hears 2 cases centered on free speech

Supreme Court says only Congress, not states, can remove Trump from presidential ballots

Supreme Court agrees to decide if Trump is immune from election interference prosecution

Supreme Court hears cases involving free speech rights on social media

What Supreme Court justices signaled in hearing on removing Trump from Colorado ballot

Supreme Court to decide if insurrection clause can block Trump from Colorado ballot

Border standoff between Texas, feds intensifies as governor defies Supreme Court ruling

Ruling blocking Trump from Colorado primary ballot sets up high-stakes legal battle

The barriers women still face in the legal profession decades after O'Connor's appointment

Report gives an inside look at how the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade

New Supreme Court ethics code 'does very little' to hold justices accountable, expert says

In domestic violence gun ban case, Supreme Court considers dangers and due process

Supreme Court takes on cases involving public officials blocking social media followers

College admissions essays more important for students after end of affirmative action

Supreme Court hears arguments in key racial gerrymandering case from South Carolina

Dred Scott's struggle for freedom honored with new memorial

The major cases on the docket as Supreme Court begins new term

New investigation links Justice Thomas to Koch network fundraiser events

Supreme Court blocks Purdue Pharma bankruptcy plan shielding owners from lawsuits

Report reveals Justice Thomas secretly benefited from network of wealthy patrons

Affirmative action ruling prompts new push to end legacy admissions

What the Supreme Court's latest term tells us about its future direction

Biden pledges alternative plan after Supreme Court strikes down student debt relief

Colleges adapt admissions programs in wake of affirmative action ruling

Brooks and Capehart on the implications of the Supreme Court's landmark decisions

Univ. of Michigan president on achieving diversity without affirmative action

Breaking down the Supreme Court's ruling ending affirmative action in college admissions

Supreme Court rejects legal theory that could have thrown 2024 election into disarray

Poll shows Americans' trust in Supreme Court remains low

Supreme Court Justice Alito faces scrutiny over undisclosed luxury trip from GOP donor

Major decisions expected from Supreme Court could reshape education and immigration policy

U.S. colleges divided over whether to end legacy admissions

New book 'Shadow Docket' explores Supreme Court's growing influence on American law

A look at primary elections and battles over abortion rights at the state level

Payments made to Justice Thomas' wife raise more ethical questions about Supreme Court

Senate probes Supreme Court ethics after questionable financial dealings by justices

Breaking down the arguments as Supreme Court hears challenge to student loan relief plan

Supreme Court says it hasn't identified Roe v. Wade draft opinion leaker

A look at the big issues that inspired new state laws taking effect in 2023

Lawmakers pass landmark legislation aimed at protecting same-sex marriages

Supreme Court hears case pitting gay rights against religious freedom

A look ahead at two cases before the Supreme Court this week

News Wrap: CIA director meets with Russian counterpart