Zach Schonfeld
@zschonfeld.bsky.social
Reporter covering the Supreme Court and the intersection of the judiciary & national politics for The Hill. zschonfeld@thehill.com.
NEW: The Supreme Court rejects South Carolina's request to enforce its transgender bathroom ban against a transgender boy in 9th grade.
The order says it "is not a ruling on the merits of the legal issues."
Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch dissent
The order says it "is not a ruling on the merits of the legal issues."
Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch dissent
September 10, 2025 at 8:05 PM
NEW: The Supreme Court rejects South Carolina's request to enforce its transgender bathroom ban against a transgender boy in 9th grade.
The order says it "is not a ruling on the merits of the legal issues."
Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch dissent
The order says it "is not a ruling on the merits of the legal issues."
Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch dissent
BREAKING: Supreme Court agrees to speedily review Trump's tariffs, setting the stage for a potentially blockbuster case.
Oral arguments will be first week of November.
Oral arguments will be first week of November.
September 9, 2025 at 8:29 PM
BREAKING: Supreme Court agrees to speedily review Trump's tariffs, setting the stage for a potentially blockbuster case.
Oral arguments will be first week of November.
Oral arguments will be first week of November.
Supreme Court announces the question they’ll consider when they rehear a major redistricting case in Louisiana next term:
“Whether the State’s intentional creation of a second majority-minority congressional district violates the
Fourteenth or Fifteenth Amendments to the U. S. Constitution.”
“Whether the State’s intentional creation of a second majority-minority congressional district violates the
Fourteenth or Fifteenth Amendments to the U. S. Constitution.”
August 1, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Supreme Court announces the question they’ll consider when they rehear a major redistricting case in Louisiana next term:
“Whether the State’s intentional creation of a second majority-minority congressional district violates the
Fourteenth or Fifteenth Amendments to the U. S. Constitution.”
“Whether the State’s intentional creation of a second majority-minority congressional district violates the
Fourteenth or Fifteenth Amendments to the U. S. Constitution.”
The Supreme Court lifted judge-imposed limits on the Trump administration’s ability to deport migrants to countries where they have no ties.
The court's three liberals write a pretty scathing dissent.
www.documentcloud.org/documents/25...
The court's three liberals write a pretty scathing dissent.
www.documentcloud.org/documents/25...
June 23, 2025 at 8:44 PM
The Supreme Court lifted judge-imposed limits on the Trump administration’s ability to deport migrants to countries where they have no ties.
The court's three liberals write a pretty scathing dissent.
www.documentcloud.org/documents/25...
The court's three liberals write a pretty scathing dissent.
www.documentcloud.org/documents/25...
The Supreme Court hands two big wins to DOGE
In separate emergency rulings, the court (1) allows DOGE to access Social Security Systems and (2) blocks an order requiring DOGE submit discovery in a FOIA lawsuit
Both rulings appear to be along the court's 6-3 ideological lines
In separate emergency rulings, the court (1) allows DOGE to access Social Security Systems and (2) blocks an order requiring DOGE submit discovery in a FOIA lawsuit
Both rulings appear to be along the court's 6-3 ideological lines
June 6, 2025 at 8:31 PM
The Supreme Court hands two big wins to DOGE
In separate emergency rulings, the court (1) allows DOGE to access Social Security Systems and (2) blocks an order requiring DOGE submit discovery in a FOIA lawsuit
Both rulings appear to be along the court's 6-3 ideological lines
In separate emergency rulings, the court (1) allows DOGE to access Social Security Systems and (2) blocks an order requiring DOGE submit discovery in a FOIA lawsuit
Both rulings appear to be along the court's 6-3 ideological lines
As is tradition, the Supreme Court justices have all released statements remembering the late retired Justice Souter.
May 9, 2025 at 6:11 PM
As is tradition, the Supreme Court justices have all released statements remembering the late retired Justice Souter.
Supreme Court allows Trump to enforce his ban on transgender troops serving openly in the military.
The court's three liberal justices publicly dissent.
The court's three liberal justices publicly dissent.
May 6, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Supreme Court allows Trump to enforce his ban on transgender troops serving openly in the military.
The court's three liberal justices publicly dissent.
The court's three liberal justices publicly dissent.
Supreme Court temporarily halts the latest wave of Alien Enemies Act deportations.
Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito dissent.
Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito dissent.
April 19, 2025 at 5:11 AM
Supreme Court temporarily halts the latest wave of Alien Enemies Act deportations.
Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito dissent.
Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito dissent.
4th Circuit declines to put on hold a judge's order to "faciliate" the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the man mistakenly deported to El Salvador.
The opinion, authored by Judge Wilkinson (a Reagan appointee), is blistering:
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
The opinion, authored by Judge Wilkinson (a Reagan appointee), is blistering:
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
April 17, 2025 at 7:24 PM
4th Circuit declines to put on hold a judge's order to "faciliate" the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the man mistakenly deported to El Salvador.
The opinion, authored by Judge Wilkinson (a Reagan appointee), is blistering:
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
The opinion, authored by Judge Wilkinson (a Reagan appointee), is blistering:
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Supreme Court schedules rare May argument on the Trump administration's emergency request to narrow a series of nationwide injunctions blocking Trump's birthright citizenship executive order.
April 17, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Supreme Court schedules rare May argument on the Trump administration's emergency request to narrow a series of nationwide injunctions blocking Trump's birthright citizenship executive order.
Judge James Boasberg has found probable cause to hold the Trump admin in contempt for failing to abide by his order.
The order, later lifted by SCOTUS, blocked Trump’s use of the Alien Enemies Act to swiftly deport people the administration accuses of being Venezuelan gang members to El Salvador.
The order, later lifted by SCOTUS, blocked Trump’s use of the Alien Enemies Act to swiftly deport people the administration accuses of being Venezuelan gang members to El Salvador.
April 16, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Judge James Boasberg has found probable cause to hold the Trump admin in contempt for failing to abide by his order.
The order, later lifted by SCOTUS, blocked Trump’s use of the Alien Enemies Act to swiftly deport people the administration accuses of being Venezuelan gang members to El Salvador.
The order, later lifted by SCOTUS, blocked Trump’s use of the Alien Enemies Act to swiftly deport people the administration accuses of being Venezuelan gang members to El Salvador.
Following the Supreme Court's ruling, Judge Paula Xinis has set a 1pm hearing in her Maryland courtroom to talk next steps.
The Trump administration just asked to reschedule it (and a 9:30am deadline to submit a written update), saying the deadlines are impractical and they need more time.
The Trump administration just asked to reschedule it (and a 9:30am deadline to submit a written update), saying the deadlines are impractical and they need more time.
April 11, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Following the Supreme Court's ruling, Judge Paula Xinis has set a 1pm hearing in her Maryland courtroom to talk next steps.
The Trump administration just asked to reschedule it (and a 9:30am deadline to submit a written update), saying the deadlines are impractical and they need more time.
The Trump administration just asked to reschedule it (and a 9:30am deadline to submit a written update), saying the deadlines are impractical and they need more time.
Roberts issues an administrative stay allowing the dismissals to move forward until the court decides what to do.
April 9, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Roberts issues an administrative stay allowing the dismissals to move forward until the court decides what to do.
A federal judge orders the White House to restore The Associated Press's access to the Oval Office, Air Force One and other limited spaces.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
April 8, 2025 at 8:46 PM
A federal judge orders the White House to restore The Associated Press's access to the Oval Office, Air Force One and other limited spaces.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Chief Justice John Roberts temporarily delays the midnight deadline until the court can resolve the Trump administration's request.
This is not necessarily an indication of how the court will ultimately rule.
Roberts set a fast response deadline - tomorrow at 5pm
This is not necessarily an indication of how the court will ultimately rule.
Roberts set a fast response deadline - tomorrow at 5pm
April 7, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Chief Justice John Roberts temporarily delays the midnight deadline until the court can resolve the Trump administration's request.
This is not necessarily an indication of how the court will ultimately rule.
Roberts set a fast response deadline - tomorrow at 5pm
This is not necessarily an indication of how the court will ultimately rule.
Roberts set a fast response deadline - tomorrow at 5pm
NEW: Supreme Court in a 5-4 vote sides with Trump administration to block $65 million in teacher development grants.
Roberts and the court's three liberal justices dissent.
www.documentcloud.org/documents/25...
Roberts and the court's three liberal justices dissent.
www.documentcloud.org/documents/25...
April 4, 2025 at 8:31 PM
NEW: Supreme Court in a 5-4 vote sides with Trump administration to block $65 million in teacher development grants.
Roberts and the court's three liberal justices dissent.
www.documentcloud.org/documents/25...
Roberts and the court's three liberal justices dissent.
www.documentcloud.org/documents/25...
New: A federal judge blocks the Trump administration from its efforts to dismantle the CFPB.
Quite the opening from Judge Amy Berman Jackson.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Quite the opening from Judge Amy Berman Jackson.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
March 28, 2025 at 8:33 PM
New: A federal judge blocks the Trump administration from its efforts to dismantle the CFPB.
Quite the opening from Judge Amy Berman Jackson.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Quite the opening from Judge Amy Berman Jackson.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
The Trump administration files a new emergency application at the Supreme Court, asking to block $65 million in federal teacher prep grants.
It's now the 3rd pending application from the admin (follows ones on birthright citizenship and probationary employees)
www.documentcloud.org/documents/25...
It's now the 3rd pending application from the admin (follows ones on birthright citizenship and probationary employees)
www.documentcloud.org/documents/25...
March 26, 2025 at 4:44 PM
The Trump administration files a new emergency application at the Supreme Court, asking to block $65 million in federal teacher prep grants.
It's now the 3rd pending application from the admin (follows ones on birthright citizenship and probationary employees)
www.documentcloud.org/documents/25...
It's now the 3rd pending application from the admin (follows ones on birthright citizenship and probationary employees)
www.documentcloud.org/documents/25...
As we previewed for readers of The Gavel earlier today, Justice Gorsuch was primed to write the Supreme Court's ghost gun decision.
Later this morning it became official, with Gorsuch writing the 7-2 opinion upholding the regulation.
Sign up today: nxslink.thehill.com/join/signup
Later this morning it became official, with Gorsuch writing the 7-2 opinion upholding the regulation.
Sign up today: nxslink.thehill.com/join/signup
March 26, 2025 at 2:56 PM
As we previewed for readers of The Gavel earlier today, Justice Gorsuch was primed to write the Supreme Court's ghost gun decision.
Later this morning it became official, with Gorsuch writing the 7-2 opinion upholding the regulation.
Sign up today: nxslink.thehill.com/join/signup
Later this morning it became official, with Gorsuch writing the 7-2 opinion upholding the regulation.
Sign up today: nxslink.thehill.com/join/signup
Chris LaCivita, the co-manager of Trump's 2024 presidential campaign, sued The Daily Beast for defamation....only to dismiss the lawsuit moments later.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
March 24, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Chris LaCivita, the co-manager of Trump's 2024 presidential campaign, sued The Daily Beast for defamation....only to dismiss the lawsuit moments later.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
In a 5-4 vote, the Supreme Court declines to stop Louisiana from executing Jessie Hoffman by nitrogen gas tonight.
Justice Neil Gorsuch joins the court's three liberal justices in dissent.
Justice Neil Gorsuch joins the court's three liberal justices in dissent.
March 18, 2025 at 10:45 PM
In a 5-4 vote, the Supreme Court declines to stop Louisiana from executing Jessie Hoffman by nitrogen gas tonight.
Justice Neil Gorsuch joins the court's three liberal justices in dissent.
Justice Neil Gorsuch joins the court's three liberal justices in dissent.
Excited to launch The Gavel, The Hill's new weekly courts newsletter, with @byellalee.bsky.social
This week, we chatted with Leonard Leo, who played an instrumental role in shaping the Supreme Court's conservative majority
Sign up to get The Gavel in your inbox every Wednesday: thehill.com/signup
This week, we chatted with Leonard Leo, who played an instrumental role in shaping the Supreme Court's conservative majority
Sign up to get The Gavel in your inbox every Wednesday: thehill.com/signup
March 12, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Excited to launch The Gavel, The Hill's new weekly courts newsletter, with @byellalee.bsky.social
This week, we chatted with Leonard Leo, who played an instrumental role in shaping the Supreme Court's conservative majority
Sign up to get The Gavel in your inbox every Wednesday: thehill.com/signup
This week, we chatted with Leonard Leo, who played an instrumental role in shaping the Supreme Court's conservative majority
Sign up to get The Gavel in your inbox every Wednesday: thehill.com/signup
Judge Richard Leon declines to block DOGE from taking over a small federal agency focused on development in Africa.
Leon says the plaintiff (the agency head) didn't show irreparable harm but signals agreement with some of the arguments on the merits:
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Leon says the plaintiff (the agency head) didn't show irreparable harm but signals agreement with some of the arguments on the merits:
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
March 11, 2025 at 11:05 PM
Judge Richard Leon declines to block DOGE from taking over a small federal agency focused on development in Africa.
Leon says the plaintiff (the agency head) didn't show irreparable harm but signals agreement with some of the arguments on the merits:
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Leon says the plaintiff (the agency head) didn't show irreparable harm but signals agreement with some of the arguments on the merits:
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Paul Clement, the bigwig conservative attorney a judge appointed to help him decide DOJ's bid to dismiss NYC Mayor Eric Adams' criminal charges, says the indictment should be dismissed with prejudice.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
March 7, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Paul Clement, the bigwig conservative attorney a judge appointed to help him decide DOJ's bid to dismiss NYC Mayor Eric Adams' criminal charges, says the indictment should be dismissed with prejudice.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
The Supreme Court declines death row inmate Brad Sigmon's final appeal, paving the way for South Carolina to carry out the first execution by firing squad in the U.S. in 15 years.
There were no noted dissents.
There were no noted dissents.
March 7, 2025 at 9:12 PM
The Supreme Court declines death row inmate Brad Sigmon's final appeal, paving the way for South Carolina to carry out the first execution by firing squad in the U.S. in 15 years.
There were no noted dissents.
There were no noted dissents.