Final Verdicts

The Supreme Court wrapped up its 2024-2025 season Friday, making five decisions before hanging up the robes and setting their “OOO until October” messages.

The 6-3 Conservative majority stuck together for three cases:

• Limiting nationwide injunctions (6-3): Federal district judges can only block national policies for specific plaintiffs who are directly harmed—not the entire country—meaning the Trump admin can now take steps to implement its previously blocked plan to end automatic birthright citizenship. Supporters say it prevents judicial overreach; critics warn it weakens checks on executive power.
• School opt-out rights (6-3): Parents in Montgomery County, Maryland, can opt their elementary-aged kids out of LGBTQ-themed lessons based on religious grounds, strengthening parental rights and potentially shaping curriculum opt-out policies nationally. Supporters call it a religious liberty win; critics say it may undermine inclusive education.
• Adult website age verification (6-3): The Court upheld Texas’s law requiring adult websites to verify users are 18+, giving states more power to regulate online access to explicit content. Supporters say it’s a commonsense safeguard; critics warn it could chill free speech and lead to online censorship.

Two rulings that cut across ideological lines:

• Upholding Obamacare’s coverage requirements (6-3): The Supremes upheld the Affordable Care Act’s accountability structure, which also confirmed health insurers must continue covering free preventative care, including HIV prevention drugs.
• FCC v Consumers’ Research (6-3): The High Court upheld a federal program offering phone and internet access to rural and low-income Americans.

This term, 42% of opinions were decided unanimously, and 9% were decided along ideological lines. Chief Justice Roberts was in the majority 95% of the time (the most), and Justice Brown-Jackson was in the majority 72% of the time (the least).

CHOOSE HUMILITY
Whether you’re critical of your government or think it’s unfairly criticized, the command for Christians is to love neighbors and enemies alike. That requires speaking about others with dignity and respect, even when we feel like they haven’t earned it. 

“With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in God’s likeness. Blessing and cursing come out of the same mouth. My brothers and sisters, these things should not be this way… Who among you is wise and understanding? By his good conduct he should show that his works are done in the gentleness that comes from wisdom.” 
James 3:9–10, 13 (CSB) (read full passage)