Supreme Court to Lower Judges: Stay in Your Lane — Trump Scores Three Judicial Victories

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Supreme Court to Lower Judges: Stay in Your Lane — Trump Scores Three Judicial Victories

 

In a series of key rulings, the U.S. Supreme Court has delivered what amounts to a triple win for President Donald Trump, while issuing a firm reminder to lower courts: respect judicial boundaries and procedures. These decisions, handed down over the course of a week, do not decide the underlying legal merits of the cases but emphasize the importance of proper legal channels and standing.

 

On Monday, a narrow 5-4 majority gave the Trump administration a partial victory regarding the deportation of Venezuelan nationals suspected of being involved with the Tren de Aragua gang. The Court allowed the administration to proceed under the Alien Enemies Act, but clarified that challenges to such deportations must be filed through habeas corpus petitions in the districts where the individuals are detained, rather than as broad class actions under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). The Court also insisted that deportees be given notice and an opportunity to contest their deportations.

 

This means that although deportations may continue, the administration cannot summarily deport these individuals without due process, and the use of the Alien Enemies Act remains subject to legal scrutiny. In essence, deportees retain the right to challenge the law’s application in court. The liberal Justices, joined by Justice Amy Coney Barrett, dissented, preferring to keep a lower court’s order blocking deportations in place. However, critics argued this would have rewarded plaintiffs for forum-shopping after they initially filed and then withdrew habeas petitions to pursue a more favorable venue.

 

 

Justice Brett Kavanaugh supported the majority’s position, writing in a concurrence that “the use of habeas for transfer claims is not novel. In the extradition context and with respect to transfers of Guantanamo and other wartime detainees, habeas corpus proceedings have long been the appropriate vehicle.” The ruling essentially opens the door for multiple district courts to weigh the legal viability of using the Alien Enemies Act for gang-related deportations, preventing one judge from halting the process nationwide.

 

On Tuesday, the Court again checked judicial overreach by lifting an order that had required the Trump administration to reinstate 16,000 fired federal employees. The Justices did not rule on the merits but found that the environmental groups and labor unions behind the lawsuit lacked legal standing. To bring a case in federal court, plaintiffs must show they are likely to suffer a direct and concrete harm—a principle rooted in Article III of the Constitution. The plaintiffs’ claim that public service reductions might result from the firings was deemed speculative. Only Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented from the ruling. The majority pointed out that the fired employees still had recourse to challenge their dismissals through the Merit Systems Protection Board.

 

The Supreme Court issued its third ruling on Friday, again emphasizing procedural discipline. In a 5-4 decision, the Court permitted the Department of Education to withhold $65 million in grants intended for teacher training. A lower court had ordered the funds to be disbursed, but the Supreme Court ruled that the APA’s waiver of sovereign immunity does not extend to enforcing contractual obligations to pay money. Those seeking such payments must pursue claims in federal claims court instead. This echoed an earlier dissent from Justices Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, Clarence Thomas, and Brett Kavanaugh, which Justice Barrett joined this time—though Chief Justice John Roberts did not.

 

Justice Elena Kagan dissented sharply, accusing the conservative majority of “making new law on our emergency docket,” and arguing, “we should have allowed the dispute to proceed in the ordinary way.” However, the majority countered that it was doing precisely that—ensuring cases proceed through regular judicial processes.

 

The consistent thread through all three decisions is a reassertion of the Supreme Court’s expectation that lower courts stick to their jurisdictional responsibilities and uphold procedural integrity. Whether or not the cases ultimately favor the Trump administration, the High Court’s message is clear: judicial order must be preserved.

 

Based on a report by WSJ  2025-04-10

 

 

[novacova]

This is such a great disappointment for the criminal left.

[stevenl]

18 minutes ago, novacova said:

This is such a great disappointment for the criminal left.

Not really, not much of a victory for trump. Deportations without due process are not allowed and there are judicial ways open for all victims here.

In the end many of the cases will reach the SC, who will then have to judge on the merit of the cases.

[Gsxrnz]

Trump has a long way to go before his deportation repatriation numbers equal that of Barry Barack Hussein Obama. 

[hotsun]

The left has no power. They are all reduced to little crybabies

[thaibeachlovers]

32 minutes ago, stevenl said:

Not really, not much of a victory for trump. Deportations without due process are not allowed and there are judicial ways open for all victims here.

In the end many of the cases will reach the SC, who will then have to judge on the merit of the cases.

No wonder the US is in doodoo to the tune of 23 trillion $ if every scumbag has to have their many days in court.

 

IMO just being in the US illegally should warrant a deportation PERIOD.

[Paul Henry]

No word from EVIL PANEVIL.Maybe the Thai Govt sent him ti Myanmar with NO DUE PROCESS?

[khunjeff]

6 hours ago, Social Media said:

the U.S. Supreme Court has delivered what amounts to a triple win for former President Donald Trump, while issuing a firm reminder to lower courts: respect judicial boundaries and procedures.

 

This is a highly imaginative interpretation of these rulings. One involved venue, one involved standing (something the Supreme Court itself seems fairly unconcerned with these days), and the third was a disagreement over the application of the Administrative Procedure Act. All of these are quite ordinary matters that are routinely hashed out in appeals courts in all types of cases.

 

And in the case involving venue, the court unanimously struck down Trump's attempt to use the Alien Enemies Act as a way to avoid giving due process to deportees - I would hardly call that a victory for him no matter how he tries to spin it.

[Thingamabob]

A long overdue ruling. About time the Dems and their sloppy judicial acolytes were told to obey the rules. 

[riclag]

On 4/10/2025 at 7:11 AM, novacova said:

This is such a great disappointment for the criminal left.

This is what Democracy looks like got a

deserved loss!

 

[Pouatchee]

On 4/9/2025 at 9:07 PM, thaibeachlovers said:

IMO just being in the US illegally should warrant a deportation PERIOD.

 

Isnt that what they do in thailand? why the fascist left needs to oppose this is beyond me. Maybe they should get out more to countries like... let's say thailand. Why the US is supposed to take in everyone is beyond me... try being an illegal immigrant in most countries around the world see how you fare.