
The California Appellate Law Podcast
The California Appellate Law Podcast
Oral arguments on nationwide injunctions
SCOTUS spent two and a half hours hearing oral argument on Friday in the birthright-citizenship cases consolidated in Trump v. CASA—not about birthright citizenship, but about whether district courts should be issuing nationwide injunctions. Many justices, and commentators on both sides, have criticized nationwide injunctions as a judicial incursion into executive policymaking in both Republican and Democratic administrations. But will the Court use this case to impose limits?
We discuss:
- Plaintiffs in this case include 22 states. Absent a nationwide injunction, half the country would be under a different rule of birthright citizenship until the case resolves.
- CJ Roberts suggested that, in true emergencies, the Court can resolve a case fast, in as little as a month. Does this cut for or against nationwide injunctions?
- What does the Court think about using Rule 23 class actions as a substitute vehicle for nationwide relief?
- Are we heading toward a “guidance-free” 5–4 non-decision?
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Other items discussed in the episode:
- Videos from this episode will be posted at Tim Kowal’s YouTube channel.