LAX Leader

The U.S. Supreme Court is nearing the end of what experts predict will be one of its most consequential terms in recent history. The justices will soon issue decisions on issues such as presidential immunity, abortion access, free speech on social media, gun control, environmental protections, and the scope of federal agency power.

USC experts are available for comment and analysis. This is the first in a two-part series discussing the high court’s imminent decisions.

### Abortion

For the first time since overturning Roe v. Wade and its federal protections in 2022, the justices will revisit the abortion debate through several key cases. Among them, FDA v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine and Danco Laboratories v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine will decide whether to restrict access to mifepristone, an abortion pill. Meanwhile, Moyle v. U.S. will determine if a federal law requiring emergency stabilizing treatment preempts state laws prohibiting abortions, like Idaho’s Defense of Life Act.

**Our Experts:**

- Aya Gruber is a professor at the USC Gould School of Law and an expert on criminal law and procedure, violence against women and critical theory.

- Sofia Gruskin directs the USC Institute on Inequalities in Global Health and has joint appointments at USC Gould and the Keck School of Medicine.

- Dima Qato leads interdisciplinary research on equity-driven drug utilization, access and policy.

- Brian Nguyen is an associate professor of clinical obstetrics and gynecology at the Keck School of Medicine.

### Guns

In USA v. Rahimi, the Court will decide if a federal ban on gun ownership for individuals under domestic violence restraining orders violates the Second Amendment. Other key cases include NRA v. Vullo, which will address free speech boundaries for state employees discussing gun control, and Garland v. Cargill, which will determine the legality of bump stocks.

“Firearms are used in over half the intimate partner deaths in America,” said Annalisa Enrile from USC School of Social Work.

**Additional Experts:**

- Adam Zimmerman is an expert in mass tort law at USC Gould.

- Gregory Keating is a professor of law and philosophy at USC Gould specializing in torts.

### Immigration

In Campos-Chaves v. Garland, the Court will decide if the government can issue a removal order for a noncitizen based on an initial notice lacking the time and place of proceedings—a ruling that could impact how deportation orders are handled.

**Our Experts:**

- Jean Reisz co-directs the USC Immigration Clinic.

- Niels Frenzen co-directs the USC Immigration Clinic.

- Manuel Pastor directs the USC Equity Research Center.

### Social Media

NetChoice LLC v. Paxton and Moody v. NetChoice LLC question whether state laws regulating social media content moderation violate users’ First Amendment rights.

“Depending on the ruling, companies may face stricter regulations or be allowed more autonomy,” said Kristen Schiele from USC Marshall School of Business.

**Additional Experts:**

- Erin Miller specializes in theories of speech at USC Gould.

- Karen North focuses on social media standards at USC Annenberg.

- Wendy Wood studies habits influencing misinformation spread at USC Dornsife.

- Morteza Dehghani researches political language at USC Dornsife.

### Presidential Immunity

In Trump v. U.S., central questions revolve around whether a former president can avoid facing criminal charges for actions taken while in office—a case that could significantly impact upcoming elections.

“The standing of the Court itself is on the docket,” said Jeb Barnes from USC Dornsife College.

**Additional Experts:**

- Christian Grose specializes in U.S politics at USC Dornsife.

- Lee Epstein teaches constitutional law at USC Gould.

### Air Pollution

Ohio v. EPA centers on whether upwind states must reduce pollution affecting downwind neighbors under EPA’s Good Neighbor Plan.

“This is Biden Administration’s second attempt after Clean Power Plan was struck down,” said Shon Hiatt from USC Marshall School of Business.

**Additional Experts:**

- Robin Craig specializes in environmental law at USC Gould.

- Jill Johnston focuses on climate justice at Keck School of Medicine.

- Shoheh Farzan studies environmental impacts on health at Keck School of Medicine.

### Federal Agency Power

Two cases challenge "Chevron deference," which grants agencies leeway interpreting their regulatory authority—potentially reshaping policies related to health and safety regulation.

“This court seems to have a clear agenda to weaken or dismantle administrative state,” said Clare Pastore from USC Gould School of Law.

**Additional Experts:**

Max Aung's work reveals health hazards posed by PFAS chemicals.

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Contact Information:

Nina Raffio - raffio@usc.edu

USC Media Relations - uscnews@usc.edu