Supreme Court Ends Term With Major Decisions on Immigration, Elections, Executive Power and Sports

The U.S. Supreme Court concluded its 2025-26 term Tuesday with a series of closely watched rulings that addressed birthright citizenship, transgender athletes, election law and former President Donald Trump's legal challenges. The decisions capped a week in which the nation's highest court issued several landmark opinions that will shape constitutional law, presidential authority and public policy for years to come.

Among the most significant rulings, the court rejected Trump's effort to end birthright citizenship through executive action. In a 6-3 decision, the justices held that the 14th Amendment continues to guarantee U.S. citizenship to nearly all children born on American soil, including those whose parents are in the country without legal status or are present on temporary visas. Chief Justice John Roberts, writing for the majority, said the Constitution's Citizenship Clause and long-standing precedent leave no room for the executive order.

The court also upheld laws in Idaho and West Virginia restricting transgender girls and women from participating on female sports teams at publicly funded schools. The majority concluded that Title IX permits sex-separated athletic teams and that states may define eligibility based on biological sex assigned at birth. The ruling leaves unresolved questions involving younger children, recreational leagues and other athletic settings.

In another setback for Trump, the justices declined to hear his appeal of the civil judgment in favor of writer E. Jean Carroll. The decision leaves intact the jury's finding that Trump sexually abused and defamed Carroll, as well as the approximately $5 million damages award previously affirmed by lower courts. The Supreme Court did not provide an explanation for declining the case.

The court also upheld Mississippi's absentee ballot law, ruling 5-4 that ballots postmarked by Election Day may be counted if they arrive within five days after the election. Justice Amy Coney Barrett joined Chief Justice Roberts and the court's three liberal justices in the majority, concluding that federal election statutes do not require mailed ballots to be received by Election Day. The decision preserves similar ballot-counting procedures in several other states.

On Monday, the court delivered one of its most consequential decisions of the term by expanding presidential authority over independent federal agencies. In a 6-3 ruling, the justices overturned a 91-year-old precedent and held that presidents may remove commissioners of independent agencies, including the Federal Trade Commission, without showing cause. Legal scholars say the decision significantly strengthens executive power by giving presidents greater control over agencies traditionally insulated from political influence.

However, the court declined to extend that reasoning to the Federal Reserve System. In a separate 5-4 decision, the justices allowed Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook to remain in office while litigation continues, signaling that the Federal Reserve's unique structure warrants different constitutional treatment than other independent agencies.

Taken together, the week's decisions produced a mixed outcome for the Trump administration. While the court handed Trump a significant victory by expanding presidential removal authority, it rejected or declined to support several of his other high-profile legal positions involving birthright citizenship, election law and the Carroll case.