The Supreme Court just lifted a key check on presidential power
Jun 27, 2025•11 min
Episode description
Three different federal judges have issued nationwide blocks to President Trump's executive order to deny U.S. citizenship to some babies born to immigrants in the U.S.
These court orders are called universal injunctions.
But when the case reached the Supreme Court, the administration didn't focus on the constitutional right to birthright citizenship.
Instead, government lawyers put most of their energy into arguing that universal injunctions themselves are unconstitutional.
And on Friday, in a 6-3 decision on ideological lines, the Supreme Court agreed — limiting the power of lower courts and lifting a key restraint on the Trump administration.
For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Email us at [email protected].
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
These court orders are called universal injunctions.
But when the case reached the Supreme Court, the administration didn't focus on the constitutional right to birthright citizenship.
Instead, government lawyers put most of their energy into arguing that universal injunctions themselves are unconstitutional.
And on Friday, in a 6-3 decision on ideological lines, the Supreme Court agreed — limiting the power of lower courts and lifting a key restraint on the Trump administration.
For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.
Email us at [email protected].
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android
Open in Metacast