In a major decision on Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court handed former President Donald Trump a big legal victory. The ruling limits how much power federal judges have to block a president’s policies nationwide—at least while the courts are still reviewing them.
While this case is connected to Trump’s controversial executive order that seeks to end birthright citizenship, the Supreme Court didn’t decide whether that order is legal. Instead, it focused on narrowing the ability of courts to temporarily stop policies from taking effect across the entire country.
Why This Ruling Matters
This decision could change how future lawsuits against presidential policies play out—especially if Trump wins another term. With fewer options for nationwide injunctions, it might become harder for challengers to stop government actions quickly.
In short, it’s now more difficult for one court to block a policy for the entire country. Instead, lawsuits will need to be more targeted or filed as class actions representing large groups of affected people.
What Trump Said
Trump praised the 6-3 ruling, calling it an “amazing decision.” He’s long criticized how often federal courts blocked his past policies and sees this as a much-needed correction to what he considers judicial overreach.
What the Court Actually Said
Justice Amy Coney Barrett, writing for the majority, said courts can’t issue broad nationwide blocks without clear, direct harm to a wide group of people. However, she left room for class-action lawsuits—where a group sues on behalf of many people affected—to move forward. States also still have the right to argue for broader protections in specific situations.
Strong Pushback from Liberal Justices
The court’s three liberal justices sharply disagreed. Justice Sonia Sotomayor gave a rare in-person dissent, warning that this ruling gives too much unchecked power to the executive branch. She called it an “open invitation” for presidents to sidestep the Constitution.
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson went further, calling it a direct threat to American democracy. She warned that if courts can’t stop unlawful government actions in time, “executive lawlessness will flourish.”
What Happens to Birthright Citizenship?
Though the ruling didn’t directly decide whether Trump can legally end birthright citizenship (the right to citizenship for children born on U.S. soil), legal battles are already underway.
A group of pregnant women and immigrant rights advocates have refiled a class-action lawsuit in Maryland, asking the court to block Trump’s order on behalf of all potentially affected children born after February 19, 2025.
The ACLU is also filing a new lawsuit, arguing the policy violates the Constitution’s guarantee of birthright citizenship.
Can States Still Challenge?
Yes. States like California and New Jersey are expected to continue fighting Trump’s birthright policy. They argue that it unfairly pressures people to cross state lines to secure U.S. citizenship for their children.
While Friday’s ruling makes immediate nationwide blocks harder, it leaves the door open for lower courts to grant broader relief if needed—and that could eventually circle back to the Supreme Court.
What’s Next?
The birthright citizenship issue could return to the Supreme Court as early as October. Attorney General Pam Bondi said the administration is confident it will win in the end.
Until then, we can expect legal teams on both sides to keep fighting this battle in lower courts.
Key Takeaways
The Supreme Court limited judges’ power to block policies nationwide while lawsuits are pending.
Trump celebrated the decision as a major win.
Liberal justices warned the ruling gives presidents too much unchecked power.
Class-action lawsuits may now become the main tool to challenge controversial policies.
Legal fights over birthright citizenship are still ongoing—and likely headed back to the high court.
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