US Supreme Court deals Trump both defeats and expansions of power

The US Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled against President Donald Trump's order to end birthright citizenship, a blow to his immigration agenda. Trump called the decision "too bad for our country" and endorsed legislation to reinstate the limits, though Democratic opposition makes passage unlikely.

Despite this defeat, the conservative majority—cemented during Trump's first term—has continued to expand executive power and shield presidents from prosecution for official acts. On Monday, the court ruled 6-3 that Trump can fire heads of independent federal agencies created by Congress, with an exception for the Federal Reserve, giving him greater control over labor, election, communications, environmental, and financial regulations.

The court also upheld Trump's revocation of temporary protected status for Haitian and Syrian immigrants, made asylum harder by requiring physical presence in the US, and loosened campaign finance restrictions, benefiting Republicans. In April, it struck down congressional districts drawn to boost minority voting power, allowing Republican-led states to redraw maps favorably.

While the court occasionally sided with liberals to limit Trump on trade or National Guard deployment, it has granted him unprecedented authority. Rumors of a possible retirement of a senior conservative justice suggest Trump may further shape the judiciary.