Will the Supreme Court check Trump's unconstitutional acts? It may come down to one justice

Los Angeles Times - Apr 7th, 2025
Open on Los Angeles Times

The U.S. Supreme Court has become the focal point in addressing alleged unconstitutional actions by the Trump administration, following a contentious ruling regarding the cutting off of $65 million in teacher training grants. These grants, axed due to their inclusion of diversity initiatives, were initially protected by a temporary restraining order from a federal judge, who deemed the administration's actions likely illegal and unconstitutional. However, in a narrow 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court reversed this decision, with Justices Thomas, Alito, Gorsuch, Kavanaugh, and Barrett in the majority, raising concerns over the court's willingness to check presidential overreach. Chief Justice Roberts joined the dissenting liberal justices, highlighting the court's division on this critical issue.

This ruling underscores the precarious balance of power between the executive branch and Congress over federal spending, with significant implications for future governance and the preservation of constitutional checks and balances. The decision also places Justice Amy Coney Barrett in a pivotal role, as her vote may determine the outcome of similar cases. The broader context includes various pending emergency petitions from the Trump administration, which challenge the authority of federal courts in areas such as immigration and presidential powers, signaling further tests for the Supreme Court in maintaining constitutional integrity in an era of heightened political tension.

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RATING

6.4
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article provides a timely and engaging account of the Supreme Court's involvement in checking the Trump administration's actions, particularly concerning federal funding and executive authority. It effectively highlights issues of public interest, such as the balance of power and constitutional law. However, the article's accuracy and impact are somewhat limited by the lack of direct sourcing and diverse perspectives. While it presents a clear and accessible narrative, the inclusion of more detailed legal context and authoritative sources would enhance its credibility and influence. Overall, the story succeeds in raising awareness of significant legal challenges and the role of the judiciary, but it could benefit from a more balanced and well-supported analysis.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The news story provides a detailed account of the Supreme Court's actions concerning the Trump administration's decision to cut off teacher training grants. The claim that the Supreme Court reversed a district court's temporary restraining order is consistent with the narrative of judicial decisions impacting governmental actions. However, the story lacks direct citations or references to official court documents or statements, which are crucial for verifying the accuracy of such claims. The assertion that the president lacks constitutional authority to cut off congressionally appropriated funds aligns with the legal framework of the Impoundment Control Act of 1974, although this is not explicitly cited in the article. The story's accuracy would be enhanced by providing direct quotes from the court's majority opinion and dissenting opinions to substantiate its claims about the justices' reasoning.

6
Balance

The article primarily presents a critical perspective on the Supreme Court's decision and the Trump administration's actions, which could suggest a lack of balance. It highlights the potential constitutional issues and the implications of the court's ruling without offering substantial counterarguments or perspectives from supporters of the decision. The focus on Justice Amy Coney Barrett as a pivotal figure in these decisions could imply bias by suggesting that her votes are unpredictable or politically motivated. Including viewpoints from legal experts or advocates supporting the court's decision would provide a more balanced representation of the issue.

8
Clarity

The article is generally clear in its language and structure, presenting a coherent narrative of the Supreme Court's decision and its implications. It effectively outlines the key points and potential consequences of the ruling, making it accessible to readers without a legal background. The use of direct quotes from dissenting justices enhances clarity by providing insight into the legal reasoning behind the decision. However, the article could benefit from a clearer explanation of the legal context and the specific statutes involved to improve comprehension for a general audience.

5
Source quality

The article lacks attribution to specific sources or experts, which affects the evaluation of source quality. It does not cite legal experts, court documents, or official statements, which are essential for assessing the credibility of the claims made. The reliance on a single author's interpretation without supporting evidence from authoritative sources limits the article's reliability. Including direct quotes from court opinions or statements from involved parties would improve the source quality and provide a more comprehensive understanding of the issue.

6
Transparency

The article does not clearly disclose the methodology or sources used to derive its conclusions, which affects transparency. While it presents a narrative on the Supreme Court's decision, it lacks detailed explanations of the legal principles involved or the specific arguments presented in court. The absence of clear sourcing or methodology makes it difficult for readers to assess the basis of the claims. Greater transparency could be achieved by outlining the sources of information and the reasoning behind the analysis of the court's decision.

Sources

  1. http://cohen.house.gov/TrumpAdminTracker
  2. http://pinbet.ru/blog/368.html
  3. https://campaignlegal.org/update/clc-sues-block-trump-administrations-illegal-election-overreach
  4. https://www.justsecurity.org/107087/tracker-litigation-legal-challenges-trump-administration/
  5. https://www.nilc.org/articles/analysis-of-trump-day-1-executive-orders-unconstitutional-illegal-and-cruel/