Major cases involving US President Donald Trump at the US Supreme Court

Photo: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images/AFP

The US Supreme Court has dealt with a series of cases involving challenges to the actions of President Donald Trump and his administration since he returned to office in January 2025.

These cases have involved the US Federal Reserve, tariffs, immigration policy, domestic troop deployment, birthright citizenship, transgender rights, firings of federal workers and agency officials, dismantling the Education Department, cuts to teacher training and medical research grants, foreign aid and other matters.

As the Supreme Court's ruling on his tariffs looms, here is a look at some of these cases:

Trump tariffs

The justices raised doubts during arguments on 5 November over the legality of Trump's sweeping tariffs in a case with implications for the global economy that marks a major test of Trump's powers. Conservative and liberal justices alike sharply questioned the lawyer representing Trump's administration about whether a 1977 law meant for use during national emergencies gave Trump the power he claimed to impose tariffs or whether the president had intruded on the powers of Congress. But some of the conservative justices also stressed the inherent authority of presidents in dealing with foreign countries, suggesting the court could be sharply divided in the outcome of the case.

Lower courts ruled that Trump overreached in invoking a 1977 law known as the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose the tariffs, which were challenged by various businesses and 12 US states. A ruling is expected by the end of June.

Photo: CHIP SOMODEVILLA / Getty Images via AFP

US President Donald Trump holds up a chart while speaking during a "Make America Wealthy Again" trade announcement event at the White House on 2 April, 2025 in Washington, DC.

Chicago-area troop deployment

The court on 23 December refused to let Trump send National Guard troops to the Chicago area as the president expands the use of the military for domestic purposes in a growing number of Democratic-led jurisdictions, a policy critics call an effort to punish adversaries and stifle dissent.

The justices let stand for the time being US District Judge April Perry's order blocking the deployment of hundreds of National Guard troops in a legal challenge brought by Illinois officials and local leaders.