Overview

• The Supreme Court’s conservative majority ruled 6-3 that federal district judges exceed their authority when they block executive actions nationwide.
• Justice Amy Coney Barrett wrote that universal injunctions “likely exceed the equitable authority that Congress has granted to federal courts” based on historical practice.
• The ruling leaves the constitutionality of Trump’s January executive order on birthright citizenship unresolved and sends related lawsuits back to lower courts.
• District courts may now extend relief beyond named plaintiffs only if challengers pursue class-action status demonstrating shared injuries.
• The Trump administration can resume developing guidance for enforcing the order but must wait 30 days before denying citizenship under the policy.