The new term for the U.S. Supreme Court began on Monday, Oct. 7 with two-thirds of Black adults expressing an unfavorable opinion of the court, compared with roughly half of Hispanic, Asian and White adults. That’s according to a survey conducted by the Pew Research Center in July 2024.
But coming on the heels of the court’s previous term during which it made significant rulings on abortion, voting rights, presidential immunity and government regulation on business, the cases the court has chosen to include on its docket and whether the justices’ decisions will be influenced by their personal or political views could have a profound impact on the future of America.
Just hours after donning their robes on Monday, the court declined to take up a challenge from GOP state lawmakers in Pennsylvania to a Biden Administration executive order that was issued to boost voter registration after lower courts had dismissed the lawsuit. But this is only the beginning.
Republicans have already assembled an army of election lawmakers who are poised for action after the general election on Nov. 5 – this time with the goal of successfully challenging the results of the elections, unlike four years ago, should Donald Trump lose again.
If the polls are correct, the battle between Trump and his Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, will inevitably be decided by a handful of votes in seven battleground states. But Trump has already laid the groundwork, vowing that he will do whatever is necessary to undermine the vote count as he did before – this time filing lawsuits in multiple states.
Of course, this could result in the final outcome of the election being delayed. But it could also allow disgruntled, misled Americans to be pressured, as on Jan. 6, into expressing their anger in ways that are inappropriate – even violent – and counter to the peaceful transition of office which has long been the hallmark of American democracy.
At the same time, while the presidential election looms like a dark cloud over the court’s docket, the court will also determine the future for gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors, guns and disability discrimination.
As the court makes critical decisions, despite being conservative, moderate or liberal, we expect them to rule without the consideration or influence of their personal preferences or political leanings, but for the good and rights of the American people. After all, that’s their job!