Supreme Court's Schedule Change: What It Means For Major Decisions And Democracy

The Supreme Court recently made a significant adjustment to its schedule, adding an additional opinion day this week as it seeks to conclude its 2023-2024 term. This change comes amidst a crucial time when the court has numerous pending cases that could have far-reaching implications. The announcement not only indicates the court's urgency to wrap up its workload but also highlights the importance of upcoming decisions that are highly anticipated by the public and legal experts alike.

On Monday, the justices declared that Friday would also serve as an order day, during which they "may announce opinions" concerning the cases before them. Previously, Thursday was already designated as an order day. Typically, opinions are disclosed at 10 a.m. when the court gathers for a public non-argument session, making this a crucial time for those awaiting the outcomes of significant legal battles.

According to Dan Urman, a law professor specializing in the Supreme Court at Northeastern University, this announcement was not unexpected given the number of cases still unresolved this term. Urman surmised that more opinion days could be scheduled as the justices aim to complete their term by the end of June. He noted, "With so many cases pending, the Court will likely be adding opinion days." This proactive approach is essential for ensuring that important cases do not get rushed or grouped together, potentially compromising their thorough examination.

The Supreme Court currently has around two dozen opinions it needs to announce by the end of the month. These pending decisions encompass critical issues including former President Donald Trump’s presidential immunity claims, Second Amendment rights as debated in United States v. Rahimi, the Chevron doctrine which empowers administrative agencies to create their own regulations, and First Amendment rights related to social media. Each of these cases carries significant weight and could set important precedents for years to come.

Legal experts are on high alert leading up to the court's announcement days. Mark Elias, a lawyer and founder of the progressive platform Democracy Docket, expressed concerns on social media, stating, "Thursday and Friday will be critical to the future of democracy." His comments underscore how the outcomes of these cases may influence public policy and civil rights across the nation.

Adding to the anticipation, reports indicate that fencing is being erected around the Supreme Court, seen by some as a sign that a potentially controversial ruling—such as the one regarding Trump's immunity—may be imminent. Texas-based lawyer Frank Reilly suggested that such preparations could hint at the court's readiness to release significant opinions that may elicit public reaction.

Last week, the Supreme Court issued six new rulings, including a unanimous decision in the Mifepristone case, where the court dismissed a Republican-led attempt to restrict access to the abortion pill. Furthermore, a major gun case ruling last Friday overturned the bump stock ban that was put in place by the Trump administration following the tragic 2017 Las Vegas mass shooting. In a 6-3 decision, the court ruled that the Justice Department erred in categorizing the gun accessory as a transformation of semiautomatic rifles into illegal machine guns.