Supreme Court Justices Clash Over Birthright Citizenship Ruling (independent.co.uk)

Posted on Jan 1, 1

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Overview & Context

In this June 27, 2025 article, The Independent’s Ariana Baio covers a landmark Supreme Court decision limiting federal judges’ power to issue nationwide injunctions—a decision seen as a win for President Donald Trump and a sign of growing executive authority.

⚖️ What Happened

  • Majority Opinion by Barrett: Justice Amy Coney Barrett, joined by five conservatives, imposed limits on judicial reach and delivered a pointed critique of Justice Jackson’s dissent, labeling it “startling” and disconnected from established legal doctrine.
  • Jackson’s Dissent: Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson sharply criticized the ruling, calling it “destructive,” “perverse,” and a threat to democratic checks on the presidency. She warned it might render the Constitution toothless.

🧩 The Clash

  • Barrett devoted several pages to dismantling Jackson’s arguments, accusing her of lacking constitutional grounding across two centuries of precedent.
  • Jackson responded with fiery language, saying:

    “A Martian arriving here from another planet would see these circumstances and surely wonder: ‘what good is the Constitution, then?’”

🌱 Why It Matters

  • The ruling strengthens the executive branch, potentially at the cost of judicial oversight.
  • The public clash between Barrett and Jackson highlights deep ideological divisions within the Court’s conservative and liberal wings.
  • It raises urgent questions about the future balance of power between Presidency, Courts, and Constitutional norms.

📚 Citation

The Independent. (2025, June 27). Supreme Court justices brawl over birthright ruling as Amy Coney Barrett rips Ketanji Brown Jackson for dissent. Retrieved from https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/supreme-court-barrett-jackson-birthright-citizenship-b2778558.html
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