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The U.S. Supreme Court rendered several significant rulings throughout 2024.
These decisions include a rejection of the Biden administration’s efforts to modify Title IX protections for transgender students, a reversal of a longstanding precedent regarding the authority of federal agencies, and an examination of state initiatives aimed at regulating perceived liberal biases in social media.
Additionally, the court addressed critical matters concerning presidential immunity during a pivotal election year for President-elect Trump, while also supporting a defendant from the January 6 incident who faced federal obstruction charges.
The following are the prominent cases that captured the justices’ attention over the past year.
Department of Education v. Louisiana
On August 16, 2024, the Supreme Court upheld preliminary injunctions that barred the Biden administration from enforcing a new rule that expanded the interpretation of sex discrimination under Title IX to encompass sexual orientation and gender identity. This suspension will remain in place as ongoing litigation unfolds.
Despite the administration’s appeal to lift the injunctions, which had been denied by both the Fifth and Sixth Circuit Courts of Appeal, the Supreme Court sided with the original decision to maintain the blocks. The unsigned opinion indicated that all justices agreed on the entitlement of the plaintiffs to relief concerning certain provisions of the contested rule.
The Department of Education had previously argued that the rewritten rule was designed to protect LGBTQ students, a stance that faced significant opposition led by the state of Louisiana, which asserted that the revised definitions infringed upon rights concerning bodily privacy and safety.
Title IX, a federal civil rights law enacted in 1972, has historically been pivotal in ensuring equal opportunities for women, particularly in athletic programs. Critics of the new rule expressed concerns about its potential effects on women’s sports, especially regarding the inclusion of biological males in women’s categories.
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Following the ruling, Louisiana’s Attorney General Liz Murrill expressed her gratitude, characterizing the administration’s approach as a radical modification of Title IX, a law vital for maintaining educational equality for women.
Moody v. NetChoice, LLC
The Court’s ruling on July 1, 2024, effectively halted legislative efforts from Texas and Florida aimed at curtailing content moderation by major social media companies including Facebook, TikTok, and others. The ruling emphasized the platforms’ rights to free speech and their autonomy in content management.
Delivering the opinion for the court, Justice Elena Kagan articulated that social media companies, much like traditional media, warrant protection against government interference in their editorial decisions. This consensus led to the remanding of cases to lower courts for further examination.
The legislation in question was implemented in response to accusations from conservative factions alleging that social media platforms exhibited bias against right-leaning viewpoints, particularly following the suspension of former President Trump’s accounts post-January 6, 2021.
Governors from both states argued that their laws were designed to counteract what they deemed censorship by “Silicon Valley elites” and to affirm free speech within public discourse.
NetChoice LLC, representing several platforms, has challenged the state laws on constitutional grounds, contending that they infringe on the platforms’ First Amendment rights.
Trump v. United States
On July 1, 2024, the Supreme Court reaffirmed a substantial degree of immunity for former presidents against criminal prosecution, marking a key moment for Donald Trump amid his campaign for the presidency.
Trump sought to dismiss an indictment related to alleged 2020 election interference, citing presidential immunity as a defense. While the court declined to dismiss the case entirely, it effectively delayed any trial until after the upcoming presidential election in November 2024.
Chief Justice John Roberts, in delivering the majority opinion, clarified the nuanced distinction between presidential immunity relating to official duties and personal conduct, thereby underscoring the accountability of a president under the law.
Having secured the presidency once again during the 2024 election, Trump is set to resume office on January 20, 2025.
Relentless, Inc. v. Department of Commerce
In another pivotal ruling on June 28, 2024, the Court overturned the Chevron deference principle, a cornerstone established in 1984 that compelled courts to yield to federal agencies on matters of ambiguous legislation.
This ruling signals a marked shift in judicial interpretation, prompting an era where federal judges will exert their judgment regarding the boundaries of agency authority, which could complicate regulatory activities across various sectors, including environmental and health regulations.
This case emerged from challenges made by fishermen against federal requirements for observer funding, leading to questions about the legal precedents that have guided agency actions for decades.
Fischer v. US
On the same day, the Supreme Court also ruled in favor of Joseph Fischer, a participant in the January 6 Capitol riot, who contested the federal obstruction of justice charge against him. The justices determined that the government misapplied the statute in a manner that was overly broad.
Although the ruling did not dismiss Fischer’s case outright, it returned the matter to lower courts with a directive to adopt a more restrained interpretation of the law concerning acts that obstruct the official proceedings of Congress.
The Department of Justice expressed disappointment in the ruling, arguing that it undermines efforts to hold individuals accountable for their actions on that day, although they maintained that the majority of related cases would remain unaffected by this decision.
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