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Dead Reckoning: After Barbara, Trump Charts a Narrower Course on Citizenship

- by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

President Trump signed two executive orders targeting commercial birth tourism and tightening citizenship eligibility for children of foreign enemies. This move follows a recent Supreme Court ruling asserting that children born in the U.S. are automatically citizens, despite their parents’ immigration status. The orders aim to enforce existing regulations with more rigor.

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The Stool With Three Broken Legs

- by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

The Supreme Court recently ruled that political parties can spend unlimited amounts on campaign activities in coordination with candidates, overruling a 25-year precedent. This decision, driven by a majority opinion from Justice Kavanaugh, emphasized that existing regulations already mitigate corruption risks, effectively altering the electoral landscape just months before midterm elections.

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2 - Analysis / Constitutional Law / Constitutional Rights / Dead Reckoning / Government / Immigration / Politics / Politics / Supreme Court / Supreme Court

The Losing Side Won the Afternoon

- by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

Following the Supreme Court’s ruling against Trump’s birthright citizenship executive order, the Republican response was swift and multifaceted. Within hours, actions included a DOJ memo prioritizing prosecutions and multiple proposed bills targeting birth tourism. This rapid shift indicates a strong institutional stance among Republicans, even as public support for birthright citizenship remains high.

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2 - Analysis / Constitutional Law / Constitutional Rights / Dead Reckoning / Judicial / Politics / Politics / Supreme Court / Supreme Court

The Court Keeps Choosing the Same Referee

- by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

The Supreme Court’s recent rulings reflect a trend of deference to political branches over judicial scrutiny. In cases involving federal agency independence and transgender athletes in sports, the Court prioritized legislative judgment over judicial fact-finding. This selective application of judicial restraint raises concerns about consistency in adjudicating contested factual questions across different contexts.

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2 - Analysis / Constitutional Law / Constitutional Rights / Dead Reckoning / Government / Immigration / Politics / Politics / Supreme Court / Supreme Court

Five Theories, One Bench: What the Birthright Citizenship Fracture Actually Tells Us

- by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

The Supreme Court’s decision in Trump v. Barbara highlights divisions within the conservative justices, as they present differing theories on citizenship under the Fourteenth Amendment. The case reveals that originalism, intended to limit judicial interpretation, instead generated multiple conflicting views, indicating a fundamental disagreement on constitutional meaning among the dissenters.

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2 - Analysis / Constitutional Law / Dead Reckoning / Judicial / Lawfare & Intelligence / Laws / Politics / Politics / Politics & Power / Supreme Court / Supreme Court

They Built the Cage, Then Complained When Someone Else Got the Key

- by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

The Supreme Court’s recent ruling allows Donald Trump to dismiss independent agency commissioners at will, overturning a 90-year precedent. This shift exposes the political nature of such agencies, historically insulated to advance particular agendas. The decision reinforces presidential accountability, increasing the political stakes in agency actions and prioritizing electoral responsibility.

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Judicial / Laws / Supreme Court / Supreme Court

Scalia’s Shadow: The Originalist Who Still Shapes the Supreme Court

- by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

Justice Antonin Scalia’s legacy significantly impacts modern constitutional law, particularly through his originalist philosophy that shapes Supreme Court rulings today. His dissent in Planned Parenthood v. Casey laid the groundwork for recent decisions like Dobbs v. Jackson. Scalia’s approach highlights democracy and the Constitution’s text, influencing today’s judicial framework.

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Congress / Congress / Government / Laws / Politics / Politics / Politics & Power / Supreme Court / Supreme Court

Can Congress Actually Pass a Tariff Bill in 2026?

- by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

The Supreme Court’s ruling has returned tariff authority solely to Congress, raising questions about its ability to pass a tariff bill in 2026. Despite Republican control, narrow margins and internal party divisions complicate the process. Legislative efforts and public opinion further influence the feasibility of successful tariff legislation amid political challenges.

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2026 Election Cycle / 2026 Elections Cycle / California / California Watch / Elections / elections / Elections & Democracy / Politics / Supreme Court / Supreme Court

When the Court Shrugs and Power Consolidates

- by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

The Supreme Court’s decision to allow California’s mid-decade redistricting alters the political landscape by endorsing partisan map redraws outside the traditional census cycle. This ruling raises concerns about the erosion of democratic norms, as it encourages aggressive partisan strategies that could undermine voter representation and weaken faith in the electoral system.

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Constitutional Law / Executive Power & Civil Liberties / Government / Judicial / Laws / Supreme Court / Supreme Court

Supreme Court Declines to Hear Major Gun Rights Cases, Leaving State Restrictions Intact

- by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

The Supreme Court has declined to hear multiple significant Second Amendment cases, maintaining diverse state gun regulations and leaving gun-rights advocates dissatisfied. This inaction permits legal disparities and delayed clarity regarding firearm policies while emphasizing a cautious judicial approach. Future Second Amendment cases may eventually return to the Court for review.

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