At a Glance
- Supreme Court to rule on Trump’s birthright citizenship plan, tariffs, and Fed board firing in 2026.
- Court has delayed decisions for months, avoiding direct confrontation this year.
- Trump’s approval ratings slipped to 42% in December poll.
- Why it matters: The rulings could deliver a major defeat for Trump as his popularity wanes.
After a quiet 2025 in which the conservative majority largely sidestepped Trump, the Supreme Court is now poised to decide on three of the president’s most contentious proposals.
Three Pending Cases
The court is set to decide on Trump’s plan to curtail automatic birthright citizenship, his sweeping tariffs, and his attempt to fire Federal Reserve board member Lisa Cook.
- Birthright citizenship: Trump seeks to end the 14th Amendment right for children born abroad to American parents.
- Tariffs: The administration’s broad tariffs on imported goods are under challenge by companies.
- Federal Reserve: Trump wants to remove Lisa Cook from the board of governors.
Timing and Strategy
The justices have postponed rulings, waiting until the president’s post-election power and popularity decline. This strategy mirrors past courts that delayed defeats until a president’s influence waned.
Richard Pildes stated:
> “The court is not confronting the president head-on until spring this year.”
Barbara Perry added:
> “It would always be easier perhaps for them as human beings, but also in thinking about the legitimacy of the court, that they are on thicker ice if they are ruling against a president if they know he’s unpopular.”
Jack Goldsmith noted:
> “The Court has acted, as it generally has through its history, to maximize its authority in the face of the reality that it lacks sword or purse.”
Daniel Epps said:
> “Kicking the can down the road, I think, is helpful to the court and probably helpful…”
| Poll Month | Approval | Disapproval |
|---|---|---|
| December | 42% | 58% |
The court’s delays do not guarantee a loss for Trump, but many experts expect a ruling against him given the less urgent timetable.
Key Takeaways
- The Supreme Court will decide on Trump’s birthright citizenship plan, tariffs, and Fed board firing in 2026.
- The court has strategically delayed decisions to avoid confronting a popular president.
- Trump’s approval ratings have fallen to 42% in December, signaling potential vulnerability.
With the court’s decisions looming, Trump’s political fortunes may hinge on the outcomes of these high-stakes cases.
