As the U.S. Supreme Court enters the final stretch of its 2024–2025 term, the justices are preparing to issue decisions on some of the most consequential and politically charged cases in recent years. From the future of birthright citizenship to transgender health care access and parental religious rights in public schools, the rulings expected by the end of June could reshape key aspects of American law and society.

At the center of it all is a 6-3 conservative majority navigating a docket increasingly shaped by the influence and policies of former President Donald Trump, now in his second term. With more than half the term’s argued cases still awaiting decisions, the court is facing an unusually heavy and ideologically loaded caseload.

Birthright Citizenship: A Test of Executive Power

One of the most closely watched cases involves Trump’s attempt to limit birthright citizenship, challenging over a century of legal precedent rooted in the 14th Amendment. The administration argues that lower courts exceeded their authority by blocking the policy through sweeping nationwide injunctions.

At stake is not just the status of children born to non-citizens on U.S. soil, but the broader power of the judiciary to halt executive orders. The case could redefine the balance between the executive branch and the courts, especially given Trump’s ongoing criticism of judges obstructing his agenda.

Transgender Health Care: States vs. Federal Rights

Another landmark case involves Tennessee’s controversial ban on gender-affirming care for minors. The law prohibits access to puberty blockers and hormone treatments for transgender youth, sparking fierce legal battles and a cultural divide.

The Supreme Court appeared inclined during December arguments to uphold the state’s authority to regulate medical care. The decision will resonate beyond Tennessee, as similar bans have been enacted across numerous GOP-led states. For transgender Americans and their families, the ruling could either entrench or dismantle existing protections for youth access to affirming health care.

Parental Rights and LGBTQ+ Curriculum

In suburban Maryland, a dispute over LGBTQ+ inclusive books in elementary classrooms has become a flashpoint in the national debate over parental rights and religious freedom. Parents in the Montgomery County Public School district are challenging the requirement that students read books like Prince & Knight, arguing it violates their religious beliefs.

With the court’s conservative majority signaling sympathy toward the parents’ claims, this case could expand the scope of religious exemptions in public education, potentially allowing more opt-outs from standard curricula on faith-based grounds.

Government Power and Public Health

Beyond social issues, the justices are also addressing several complex questions about the scope of federal agencies. One case challenges the structure of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, which recommends no-cost services under the Affordable Care Act. The ruling could affect access to free cancer screenings, HIV prevention medication, and other preventive care.

Another case involves the Universal Service Fund, a longstanding program funded by phone company contributions to expand internet and phone access in underserved areas. A conservative legal group argues it represents an unconstitutional delegation of Congress’s taxing authority.

If the court sides with federal regulators, it may signal a rare departure from its recent pattern of curbing agency power.

The Rise of Emergency Appeals in the Trump Era

In a notable shift, the Supreme Court has become entangled in a wave of emergency appeals stemming from Trump’s latest policies. These “shadow docket” cases often bypass full argument and expedited deliberation.

So far, Trump has secured victories allowing him to:

• Temporarily ban transgender Americans from military service
• Remove independent agency leaders
• End deportation protections for Venezuelans

Yet, the court has also checked some of his moves, including blocking fast-track deportations under a centuries-old immigration law.

With more Trump-era lawsuits working through lower courts, this trend of emergency appeals shows no signs of slowing — even as the justices prepare to recess for the summer.

Why These Decisions Matter

This term’s pending rulings will shape not only how the Constitution is interpreted, but also how deeply presidential power, individual rights, and federal authority are entwined. As debates over immigration, health care, LGBTQ+ rights, and religious liberty intensify across the country, the Supreme Court’s upcoming decisions will send reverberations through American life — legally, politically, and culturally.

Whether the court reaffirms existing norms or forges new ones, one thing is clear: The road to summer break will be anything but quiet at One First Street.