(The Center Square)–The U.S. Supreme Court has released a string of landmark rulings recently, from sending the abortion issue back to the states to granting a measure of presidential immunity to the overturning of Chevron deference, significantly weakening federal rulemaking power.
Supreme Court terms begin and end in October, and heading into the new year there are major cases awaiting.
-
The Importance of Prayer: How a Christian Gold Company Stands Out by Defending Americans’ Retirement
Here are five of the biggest cases in which the Supreme Court is expected to weigh in by the end of this term:
Tik Tok Ban
Many lawmakers and national security experts have raised concerns about the invasive software attached to Tik Tok, a hugely popular entertainment app that reportedly has about 150 million active users.
China is the parent company for the app and has access to millions of Americans personal data through the Tik Tok software, which is unusually invasive and collects much more personal data on its users than other similar apps.
President Joe Biden signed into law a ban on the app unless it is sold to a U.S. company, citing these concerns.
While that ban had bipartisan support, President-elect Donald Trump weighed in on the case this week, asking the Supreme Court to delay the ban from going into effect.
“In light of these interests – including, most importantly, his overarching responsibility for the United States’ national security and foreign policy – President Trump opposes banning TikTok in the United States at this juncture, and seeks the ability to resolve the issues at hand through political means once he takes office,” Trump’s lawyer said in a brief filed with the court.
During the presidential campaign, Trump promised to “save Tik Tok.”
“Furthermore, President Trump alone possesses the consummate dealmaking expertise, the electoral mandate, and the political will to negotiate a resolution to save the platform while addressing the national security concerns expressed by the Government – concerns which President Trump himself has acknowledged,” the brief read.
Transgender Surgeries for Minors
The Supreme Court heard oral arguments last fall in United States v. Skrmetti, a case that considers the constitutionality of a Tennessee bill that bans transgender surgeries and hormones for minors.
Those medical procedures have become increasingly controversial since they can sterilize the recipients and are sometimes later regretted when the children come of age.
The Supreme Court ruling could kill or encourage similar efforts in states around the country.
Ghost Guns
In Garland v. VanDerStok, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives faces a legal challenge to its Biden-era rule attempting to block “ghost guns,” firearms without serial numbers that can be 3-D printed or put together by someone who acquires individual parts.
In particular, kits can be bought online that allow buyers to assemble a weapon. The case in question will require the justices to determine whether a disassembled kit of firearm parts is still considered a “firearm” and therefore subject to federal rules, especially rules requiring a serial number.
During oral arguments last fall, justices seemed skeptical of the legal challenge to the federal rule.
Age Verification for Pornography
The Supreme Court is expected to hear oral arguments Jan. 15 in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, a legal challenge to a Texas law requiring pornography sites to use age verification to prevent minors from seeing their pornographic content.
Critics have cited free speech concerns while proponents of the law have pointed out that there is legal precedent for age verification which is required for other products like alcohol and tobacco and has been required to view R-rated movies in theaters.
Pornography sites have pushed back on the law, which has been adopted in a similar fashion in about 20 Republican states around the country.
“Let me put this simply: these companies do not have a right to expose children to pornography,” Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said in a statement. “Texas has a clear interest in protecting children, and we have been successful defending this commonsense age verification law against a powerful global industry.”
Environmental Impact
The Supreme Court in December heard oral arguments in Seven County Infrastructure Coalition v. Eagle County, a case where justices will consider just how expansive the environmental constraints can become on federal agency actions.
Under the National Environmental Policy Act, federal agencies are required to assess the “foreseeable impact” on the environment of their actions.
However, just how broad that assessment must be is up for consideration.
Angry Leftists Plot to Tank Trump Economy by Not Spending Any Money Once He’s in Office
by The Gateway Pundit
Most people are expecting the economy to improve under Trump and these people don’t want that to happen, or at least don’t want Trump to get any credit for it. They would rather that people remain miserable than see Trump and the country do well. Breitbart News reports: Leftists Pledge…
Ohio Man Faces Prison Term for Laundering More Than $300 Million in Bitcoin
by The Epoch Times
Ohio-based Larry Dean Harmon has been sentenced to three years in prison for operating a cryptocurrency service used by criminals for laundering millions of dollars, according to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). Harmon, 41, ran a Bitcoin mixer called Helix that was “highly sought after by online drug dealers…
Sabotage: Two Undersea Internet Cables Connecting Four NATO Nations Were Severed
by Publius
Many in the international community are claiming sabotage as the only viable explanation for two fiber optic internet cables in the Baltic Sea being severed less than 24-hours apart. Fingers are being pointed at Russia as one of the the cables connected NATO nations Germany and Finland. The latter was…
“Massive Breach”: T-Mobile Network Hacked by Chinese State Sponsored Intelligence
by Tyler Durden, Zero Hedge
(Zero Hedge)—Where’s John Legere in a pink t-shirt when you need him? Among the multiple stories over the last few weeks about Chinese intelligence and hackers either attempting to, or outright gaining access, to U.S. cell phone networks (with reports stating President Trump and his team were targeted), comes news…
Income Needed to Afford a Home Hits Record High in U.S. Cities
by Dallas Express
Owning a single-family home in the U.S. now requires an average annual income of $107,700, nearly double the income needed in 2019, according to a new report by Oxford Economics. This increase is attributed to soaring home prices and nearly doubled mortgage rates over the past five years, the New…
Senators Ask Cyber Review Board to Conduct Investigation on Chinese Hack Group
by The Epoch Times
A bipartisan group of senators has urged a federal review board to immediately begin an investigation into a Chinese hacking group’s attacks against the United States, according to a recent letter sent to Robert Silvers, undersecretary for policy at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Led by Sen. Eric Schmitt…
Russian Officials Believe That “NATO Has Gone to War With Russia”
by Michael Snyder
Editor’s Commentary: Before we get into the article and video below by Michael Snyder, I want to make an important note. I do not believe that Russia is in any condition to actually go to war with NATO. I also do not believe that Donald Trump is, in any way,…
‘That’s Not Helpful’: Harris Faulkner Slams Dem Guest After He Claims Americans Don’t Understand How Strong Economy Is
by Daily Caller
Fox News host Harris Faulkner called out a Democratic guest Monday after he claimed American voters didn’t understand that the economy was “strong.” President-elect Donald Trump defeated Vice President Kamala Harris, securing more than the 270 electoral votes necessary to win the presidency in the early morning of Nov. 6…
Global Propagandists Find Out: AP to Slash Staff by 8% as Major News Outlets Stop Buying Its Content
by JD Rucker
Everyone in legacy corporate media is struggling with the possible exception of Fox News. Following Donald Trump’s election victory, the writing on the wall that legacy media has been pretending wasn’t there became too bright to ignore. The people don’t trust the media. It’s not because of the Trump victory….
Trump to Declare a National Emergency to Conduct Mass Deportations
by Tyler Durden, Zero Hedge
(ZeroHedge)—President-elect Donald Trump confirmed Monday that he will declare a national emergency to carry out mass deportations. In response to Judicial Watch president Tom Fitton’s post on Truth Social that Trump was “prepared to declare a national emergency and will use military assets to reverse the Biden invasion through a…
Gov. Youngkin’s Executive Order Seeks to Address Virginia’s Housing Shortage
by Just The News
From now on, economic and housing development will be tied more closely together in Virginia, according to the latest executive order from the governor. Gov. Glenn Youngkin issued and announced Executive Order 42 in Thursday at the annual Virginia Governor’s Housing Conference. The order brings the commonwealth’s economic development and…
“Hopefully No More”: How Trump Appointments Could Sway the Balance of Power in the House
by Owen Klinsky, DCNF
(DCNF)—President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet picks could temporarily jeopardize the GOP’s slim majority in the House of Representatives. The GOP has held on to control of the House, securing the 218 seats needed for a majority with five races still yet to be called, according to The Associated Press. However, Trump…
Ramaswamy Expects ‘Mass Reductions’ in Federal Government Under Trump
by Daily Wire
There will be “mass reductions” in the federal government under President-elect Donald Trump‘s second administration, Vivek Ramaswamy predicted this weekend. Ramaswamy, whom Trump picked to lead the brand new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) along with Elon Musk, spoke to Fox News anchor Maria Bartiromo on “Sunday Morning Futures” about…
Texas Again Breaks Its Own Jobs Records
by Bethany Blankley, The Center Square
(The Center Square)—Texas continues to break jobs records every month and October was no different. Texas again grew jobs at a faster annual rate than the national job growth rate over the year in October. It also set a new record high for the greatest number employed in the civilian…
Congresswoman Nancy Mace to File Resolution Banning New Trans Congressman From Women’s Restrooms
by JD Rucker
Despite all of the amazing victories the GOP had on Election Day in the ongoing battle against wokeness, there was one conspicuous loss. Delaware elected “Sarah” McBride (born “Tim”) as the first trans member of Congress. Congresswoman Nancy Mace is calling on her GOP colleagues to pass a resolution banning…