Supreme Court's 6-3 Majority to Decide on Trump's Birthright Citizenship and Orders

The Supreme Court, now with a 6-3 conservative majority shaped by President Donald Trump, is poised to play a pivotal role in determining the legality of several aggressive executive orders issued during the early weeks of Trump’s second term. These include controversial measures such as ending birthright citizenship, freezing federal spending, and dismantling agencies like USAID. Lower courts have already paused some of these actions, including blocking access to Treasury data and halting the USAID shutdown. Legal challenges are expected to escalate to the Supreme Court, where three of the justices were appointed by Trump. The court’s previous rulings have both supported and constrained Trump’s policies, including granting him immunity from prosecution for official actions in a July ruling while blocking attempts to end DACA or add a citizenship question to the census. Legal experts are divided on the court’s likely stance, with some predicting resistance to blatantly unconstitutional actions while others highlight the court’s history of supporting expanded presidential powers. The situation underscores the judiciary's critical role as a check on executive authority, even as Trump administration officials, including Elon Musk and Vice President JD Vance, openly question the courts’ legitimacy. This dynamic raises concerns about a potential constitutional crisis, with scholars warning of the risks to the separation of powers and the rule of law.