EXPLAINED: 4 | Rare Historical Photos

Trump v. Slaughter was Trump v. United States Redux

But what does "conclusive and preclusive" actually mean?

Reason · Dec 17, 2025

What Does It Mean To "Regulate Importation"?

It's the central question in the tariff cases, and one exchange during oral argument caught my ear

Reason · Nov 9, 2025

The Shortest SCOTUS Oral Argument In The Modern Era?

Coney Island Auto Parts, Inc. v. Burton was over in 37 minutes.

Reason · Nov 5, 2025

Would A Subsidy To Encourage Young Men and Women To Marry Be Constitutional?

The government would offer a graduated subsidy, based on the age of the mother, to marry under the age of 30, with the goal of promoting natural child conception.

Reason · Sep 19, 2025

Justice Kavanaugh Continues To Be The Only Justice To Explain Emergency Docket Orders

And Justice Kavanaugh has come a long way since using the term "noncitizen" instead of "illegal alien."

Reason · Sep 9, 2025

Who Was The Fourth Vote For Cert In Chiles v. Salazar?

In December 2023, only three Justices would have granted in Tingley v. Ferguson, which presented the same issue.

Reason · Aug 24, 2025

Ninth Circuit Upholds Nationwide Injunction in State Suit Against Birthright Citizenship Order

Judge Bumatay objects on standing grounds, arguing that courts should not seek to offset narrowing one form of relief by expanding another: "That would be like squeezing one end of a balloon—it just pushes all the air to the other end."

Reason · Jul 24, 2025

Free Speech Coalition Brings Text, History, and Tradition to the Free Speech Clause

Justice Thomas tries to Bruenify free speech doctrine, but I'm not sure it will work.

Reason · Jul 14, 2025

The Status of Smith and Yoder After Mahmoud

The Court continues avoiding the Smith issue, but in an unexpected way.

Reason · Jul 9, 2025

Contrasting Coercion for the Free Exercise Clause in Mahmoud and Coercion for the Establishment Clause in Kennedy

The Court finds that the government cannot indirectly coerce children who are exercising their religious beliefs, but the government can indirectly coerce children who are not exercising their religious beliefs.

Reason · Jul 9, 2025