Supreme Court limits federal court powers on universal injunctions

In the United States, on June 26, 2025, the Supreme Court delivered a significant ruling concerning the powers of federal courts. The case in question, Trump v. CASA, was a response to President Donald Trump's executive order seeking to end birthright citizenship for children born in the U.S. to parents who were unlawfully present or on temporary visas. This order faced multiple legal challenges in lower courts, which issued universal injunctions to bar its enforcement nationwide, claiming it violated constitutional principles. In a landmark 6-3 ruling, the Supreme Court determined that federal courts lack the authority to issue such universal injunctions, which provide broad relief beyond the parties in a specific case. The decision highlighted a shift in judicial philosophy, emphasizing a more limited role of the courts in checking executive authority, especially during politically charged times. Justices Amy Coney Barrett and John Roberts played pivotal roles in this ruling, with Barrett authoring the majority opinion. In her analysis, she argued that universal injunctions disrupt the traditional practice of federal courts, which should focus on equitable remedies that are case-specific rather than blanket orders that influence the entire country. The ruling signals the Supreme Court's alignment with a conservative interpretation of judicial power and executive authority, marking a notable departure from the more expansive checks proposed during the early months of Trump's presidency. Justice Sonia Sotomayor, among the dissenting members, expressed concerns that this decision weakens judicial oversight over executive actions, potentially allowing for future unconstitutional orders to go unchallenged. Overall, the court's decision not only addresses the specific case of the birthright citizenship order but also sets a precedent regarding federal judicial authority moving forward, which could have lasting implications on future challenges against presidential actions.