Guns, transgender rights, porn: The Supreme Court begins another term

The U.S. Supreme Court begins a new term this week, with public opinion of the court at near record lows. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images via NPR)

The U.S. Supreme Court opens a new term this week, with guns, transgender rights, pornography, and lots more on the docket, including potential election cases in the wings.

In the wake of last year’s tumultuous term and the court’s decision giving broad immunity to former President Trump for his actions while in office, the court finds itself stuck on the wrong end of public opinion, a place where, according to the Gallup poll, it has largely been mired since 2021. The partisan gap is gargantuan, and has been since the court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. Adding to its woes have been ethics controversies and the kinds of leaks that have previously been unheard of, including one this year about what went on behind the scenes in the immunity case.

“Something does seem broken,” says Lisa Blatt, a veteran Supreme Court advocate. “At oral argument, which is when I see them [the justices], they just seem visibly frustrated.”