Neil Gorsuch
Coverage of Neil Gorsuch in the Nexus archive.
- A court trapped in amber
The Supreme Court in United States v. Rahimi rejected the idea that the Second Amendment is 'trapped in amber,' a metaphor now widely used in constitutional law. The phrase originated in 1974 with Justice Thurgood Marshall's dissent in Richardson v. Ramirez but has since been adopted by conservative justices like Neil Gorsuch. The metaphor challenges the notion of fixed legal principles, reflecting a shift toward living constitutionalism.
- The court’s big gun cases – and what’s next
The Supreme Court ruled on two Second Amendment cases this term: United States v. Hemani and Wolford v. Lopez. In Hemani, the court unanimously rejected a federal law disarming daily marijuana users, while in Wolford v. Lopez, a 6-3 decision struck down a Hawaii law restricting firearms on private public property. Both rulings applied the Bruen framework, requiring governments to prove regulations align with historical firearm traditions.
- SEN DEB FISCHER: The left's war on the Senate and Supreme Court puts our republic at risk
The article criticizes the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) for proposing to abolish the Senate and subordinate the presidency and Supreme Court to a unicameral body, calling it a threat to the Constitution. It highlights escalating threats against Supreme Court justices, including Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Elena Kagan, and condemns rhetoric attacking the Court's legitimacy. The text also links calls to abolish the Senate to a broader pattern of rejecting constitutional limits on political power.
- Gorsuch says Americans must study history, ‘warts, glories, and all’
Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch emphasized the importance of studying unvarnished U.S. history to address civics education decline, calling democracy 'fragile' and urging Americans to learn from both its flaws and achievements. He discussed his visit to the Berlin Wall and the role of President Ronald Reagan in advancing freedom, while promoting his children's book on the Declaration of Independence. Gorsuch also highlighted the sacrifices of Continental Congress delegates and the need for mutual respect in political disagreements.
- Deadline passes for Trump to ask Supreme Court to reconsider birthright citizenship ruling
The deadline passed for the Trump administration to request the Supreme Court to reconsider its June 2026 ruling rejecting birthright citizenship restrictions. The 6-3 decision struck down an executive order that would have denied citizenship to children born in the U.S. to parents in the country illegally or temporarily. Three justices would have upheld the restrictions, but no new filing was submitted within the 25-day window.
- Deadline passes for Trump to ask Supreme Court to reconsider birthright citizenship ruling
The deadline for the Trump administration to request the Supreme Court to reconsider its rejection of birthright citizenship restrictions expired without a new filing. The Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision in June struck down Trump’s executive order denying automatic citizenship to children born in the U.S. to parents in the country illegally or temporarily. A rehearing petition faces long odds as the court has not agreed to rehear an argued case in over 50 years.
- Deadline passes for Trump to ask Supreme Court to reconsider birthright citizenship ruling
The deadline passed for the Trump administration to request the Supreme Court rehear its birthright citizenship case, with no new filing submitted. The Court’s 6-3 decision in June rejected Trump’s executive order restricting automatic citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants, though three justices would have upheld the restrictions. A rehearing petition faces extremely low odds, as the Court has not granted one in over 50 years.
- Justices’ lucrative book deals deserve more scrutiny
Supreme Court justices have earned over $13 million collectively from book deals, raising ethical concerns due to limited scrutiny compared to other income sources like gifts or travel. Ethics rules permit writing income as part of outside earnings, but critics argue book revenue deserves greater oversight.
- How predictable is the Supreme Court from oral argument?
The article examines how predictable Supreme Court decisions are based on oral arguments, analyzing 56 cases from October 2025 to April 2026. It uses examples like Louisiana v. Callais, Trump v. Barbara, and Chatrie v. United States to show varying degrees of predictability, concluding that while oral arguments provide meaningful insights, they are not fully reliable predictors of outcomes.
- In birthright citizenship dissent, Justice Thomas stakes out an ideological claim of who counts as an American
The Supreme Court upheld birthright citizenship in Trump v. Barbara, rejecting President Trump’s executive order to narrow it. Justices Thomas and Gorsuch dissented, arguing the 14th Amendment’s citizenship clause should focus on domicile and jurisdiction, framing the issue as an ideological debate about who qualifies as 'American.' Thomas criticized the majority’s interpretation as inconsistent with constitutional text and history.
- Justice Gorsuch’s Slaughter Opinion is a Direct Threat to Congress
Justice Gorsuch's concurrence in Slaughter v. Trump warns that allowing presidents to fire independent agency heads concentrates power dangerously, urging the Court to scrutinize congressional actions to address this. The Supreme Court's 6-3 ruling affirmed presidential authority to remove agency leaders, contradicting Congress's prior assumption of agency independence. The article argues Congress must assert its authority to regulate bureaucracy despite the decision.
- Who is the Supreme Court’s most “ideological” justice? And does that question even make sense?
The article examines the complexity of labeling Supreme Court justices as 'ideological,' noting that judicial decisions often defy simple liberal-conservative divisions. It highlights cases like Trump v. Barbara and Chatrie v. United States, where majority coalitions included justices from different perceived ideological blocs, and discusses challenges in measuring ideology through emergency dockets.
- The Supreme Court’s disturbing approach to federal spending
The Supreme Court ruled in Landor v. Louisiana Department of Corrections that federal spending programs should be treated as contracts, limiting the ability to sue individual government officials under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLIUPA). The decision, 6-3 along ideological lines, held that officials cannot be sued unless they explicitly consent, effectively weakening enforcement of RLIUPA against violations.
- MORNING GLORY: The Supreme Court officially closes the books on another term
The Supreme Court concludes its term, with increased ideological division in decisions noted by SCOTUSblog. The article highlights the gradual pace of constitutional law changes and the media's focus on the Court's impact on American citizens.
- WATCH: Controversial SCOTUS decision strikes a divide among lawmakers
The Supreme Court upheld birthright citizenship, rejecting President Donald Trump's executive order to end it. Lawmakers split along party lines, with Republicans criticizing the ruling and some Democrats supporting it. The 6-3 decision included dissents from Justices Thomas, Gorsuch, and Alito, who argued the 14th Amendment does not apply to children of unlawful immigrants.
- Gorsuch's recent opinions stress need to preserve civil liberties
The Supreme Court ruled that appeal waivers in plea bargains are unenforceable if they cause a miscarriage of justice and determined that geofence warrants analyzing cellphone location data qualify as a Fourth Amendment 'search'. Justice Neil Gorsuch agreed with both outcomes but emphasized broader concerns about coercive plea bargaining and problematic Fourth Amendment precedents.
- The 2025-26 term by the numbers
The 2025-26 Supreme Court term showed increased ideological division, with 28.8% of decisions split 6-3 along ideological lines, compared to 15.2% the previous term. The final week included deviations from the usual 6-3 pattern, including Trump v. Barbara, where all three liberal justices joined the majority. Other cases like West Virginia v. B.P.J. and Trump v. Slaughter followed predictable ideological splits.
- Closing out the term
The Supreme Court released three final opinions for the 2025-26 term, including striking down an executive order on birthright citizenship in Trump v. Barbara, upholding Title IX policies on sports teams in West Virginia v. B.P.J. and Little v. Hecox, and ruling against campaign spending restrictions in National Republican Senatorial Committee v. FEC. The decisions involved multiple justices with varying concurrences and dissents.
- Supreme Court upholds 14th Amendment
The Supreme Court struck down President Trump’s executive order banning birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants and some temporary visitors, ruling it unconstitutional under the 14th Amendment. The 6-3 decision reaffirmed that the 14th Amendment automatically grants citizenship to anyone born in the U.S., with Chief Justice John Roberts emphasizing the Framers’ intent. Three conservative justices and President Trump disputed the ruling, arguing the Amendment was intended only for freed black slaves.
- Supreme Court upholds 14th Amendment
The Supreme Court struck down President Trump’s Executive Order banning birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants and temporary visitors, ruling it unconstitutional. The 6-3 decision reaffirmed that birthright citizenship is enshrined in the 14th Amendment, with Chief Justice John Roberts writing the majority opinion. Three conservative justices dissented, arguing the 14th Amendment only applied to freed black slaves.
- Supreme Court upholds 14th Amendment
The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that President Trump’s Executive Order banning birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants and some temporary visitors was unconstitutional, reaffirming that birthright citizenship is protected by the 14th Amendment. Chief Justice John Roberts wrote the majority opinion, while Justices Clarence Thomas, Neil M. Gorsuch, and Samuel Alito dissented, arguing the 14th Amendment applied only to freed black slaves.
- Supreme Court Rejects Trump’s Attempt to End Birthright Citizenship
The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that President Donald J. Trump exceeded his authority by attempting to end birthright citizenship via executive order, upholding the 14th Amendment. The majority opinion, led by Chief Justice John G. Roberts, emphasized the constitutional right to citizenship, while dissenting justices argued the ruling expanded citizenship to include children of 'birth tourists.' Immigrant advocates highlighted the decision's importance for protecting children's rights and access to healthcare.
- Court grants several new cases, including on whether the Second Amendment protects possession of semiautomatic rifles
The Supreme Court has agreed to review the constitutionality of bans on semiautomatic rifles like the AR-15, taking up cases from Illinois and Connecticut. The decision follows recent rulings on gun rights and includes challenges to local laws that prohibit possession of such firearms, with justices acknowledging prior divisions on the issue.
- US Supreme Court upholds birthright citizenship, rejecting Trump order
The U.S. Supreme Court upheld birthright citizenship, rejecting President Donald Trump’s executive order that sought to redefine the constitutional right. A majority of justices, led by Chief Justice John G. Roberts, ruled the order violated the 14th Amendment. Six justices agreed with the majority, while three dissented, with some arguing Congress could legislate exceptions to birthright citizenship.
- US Supreme Court upholds birthright citizenship, rejecting Trump order
The U.S. Supreme Court upheld birthright citizenship, rejecting President Donald Trump’s executive order that sought to redefine the constitutional right. A majority of justices, led by Chief Justice John G. Roberts, ruled the order violated the 14th Amendment, while conservative justices dissented. Trump urged Congress to codify his policy, but the decision emphasized that any change to birthright citizenship would require a constitutional amendment.
- US Supreme Court upholds birthright citizenship, rejecting Trump order
The U.S. Supreme Court upheld birthright citizenship, rejecting President Donald Trump’s executive order that aimed to redefine the constitutional right. A majority of justices found the order violated the 14th Amendment, while three conservative justices dissented. Trump attended the oral arguments, and the decision marks a setback for his immigration agenda.
- US Supreme Court upholds birthright citizenship, rejecting Trump order
The U.S. Supreme Court upheld birthright citizenship, rejecting President Donald Trump’s executive order to redefine constitutional rights. A majority of justices, led by Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., ruled the order violated the 14th Amendment, while three conservative justices dissented. Trump called on Congress to codify his proposal into law.
- The final four
The Supreme Court announced its final four cases for the term, including Trump v. Barbara (birthright citizenship) and cases on transgender athletes and campaign finance. On Monday, the court issued rulings in four cases, including decisions on the FTC’s for-cause removal provision, the removal of a Federal Reserve Governor, mail-in ballot deadlines, and cellphone location privacy. Additional cases were added to the 2026-27 term docket.
- Justices’ financial disclosures reveal Bad Bunny concert tickets, plenty of travel in 2025
Justice Sonia Sotomayor received $4,333 in Bad Bunny concert tickets from Rimas Entertainment during a 2025 trip to Puerto Rico, while Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson received a $2,500 painting for her chambers. Financial disclosures revealed teaching earnings, book royalties, and travel details for multiple justices in 2025.
- Royalties. Teaching gigs. A concert in Puerto Rico. Financial forms offer view inside Supreme Court
Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor received $4,333 in concert tickets for a Puerto Rico event last August, while other justices disclosed royalties from books and teaching income. Financial disclosure forms revealed Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson earned $1.81 million in book advances and Justice Amy Coney Barrett reported over $849,000 in royalties.
- US Supreme Court in Virginia case says police need warrants for cellphone location data
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that law enforcement requires warrants to access cellphone location history data under the Fourth Amendment. The decision centered on a 2019 Virginia credit union robbery case, where police obtained location data from a third-party tech company. The ruling leaves unresolved when such searches are deemed reasonable, with civil liberties advocates and states debating the implications of geofence warrants.
- US Supreme Court deals blow to Trump, ruling states can accept ballots after Election Day
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that states can count mail-in ballots arriving after Election Day, rejecting arguments from the Trump administration and Republican states. The decision, in RNC vs. Watson, upheld Mississippi's law allowing ballots postmarked by Election Day to be counted if received within five business days, with thirteen states having similar grace periods.
- 250th birthday minutes on the bench
The Supreme Court features an exhibition on the nation's 250th anniversary, highlighting legal arguments for independence. Justices have delivered historical lessons in recent cases, referencing colonial-era laws and Founding Fathers' practices, with examples from cases like Abouammo v. United States and United States v. Hemani.
- Concert tickets, paintings and book deals: Supreme Court justices disclose 2025 finances
Supreme Court justices disclosed over $2 million in 2025 book deal earnings, with Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson receiving a $1.2 million advance. Gifts included concert tickets and a painting commission, while advocates criticized the ethical implications of justices earning millions from books.
- Royalties. Teaching gigs. A concert in Puerto Rico. Financial forms offer view inside Supreme Court
Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor attended a Puerto Rico concert gifted by Rimas Entertainment, while justices reported book royalties, teaching income, and travel. Financial disclosures revealed earnings from books, speaking engagements, and courses, with Justice Samuel Alito requesting an extension for his report.
- US Supreme Court says police need warrants for cellphone location data
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that police need warrants to access cellphone location history data under the Fourth Amendment. The 6-3 decision centered on a 2019 Virginia credit union robbery case, with Justice Elena Kagan writing that individuals have a reasonable expectation of privacy in their cellphone location records. The ruling leaves unresolved questions about when such searches are considered reasonable.
- Supreme Court delivers ‘major win’ for tech privacy in Chatrie ruling
The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that collecting phone location data from a geographic area via geofence warrants constitutes a Fourth Amendment search, marking a significant decision for tech privacy. The ruling in Chatrie v. The United States aligns with 2018's Carpenter decision, emphasizing privacy protections for cell-site location data even when shared with third-party tech companies like Google.
- AMERICA AT 250 – PURSUING A MORE PERFECT UNION
250 years after the Declaration of Independence, Margaret Hoover examines the institutions and sacrifices that have sustained its ideals through conversations with Justice Neil Gorsuch, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, and Gen. Stanley McChrystal.
- Supreme Court allows for mail-in ballot grace period
The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that Mississippi can count absentee ballots postmarked by Election Day but received up to five days later, overturning a federal appeals court decision. The majority opinion, authored by Justice Amy Coney Barrett, held that federal election-day statutes do not require ballots to be received by Election Day. The dissent, led by Justice Samuel Alito, opposed the decision, which follows a challenge to Mississippi’s voting laws by President Donald Trump’s administration.
- Supreme Court won't revive Alan Dershowitz's $300 million suit against CNN
The Supreme Court refused to revive Alan Dershowitz's $300 million defamation lawsuit against CNN over coverage of his remarks during President Donald Trump's 2020 impeachment. Lower courts dismissed the case, finding Dershowitz failed to prove CNN acted with 'actual malice' under the New York Times Co. v. Sullivan standard. Justices Gorsuch and Thomas dissented, urging a reevaluation of defamation standards for public figures.