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During a recent Supreme Court hearing, Chief Justice John Roberts intervened to address Justice Sonia Sotomayor’s persistent interruptions of U.S. Solicitor General John Sauer, who was representing the Trump administration.
The case in question involved challenges to nationwide injunctions and President Trump’s executive order on birthright citizenship. Justice Sotomayor expressed strong concerns that the executive order contradicted four Supreme Court precedents. She argued that federal courts should have the authority to issue nationwide injunctions against such orders. Her vigorous questioning led her to frequently speak over Solicitor General Sauer, prompting Chief Justice Roberts to step in and request that she allow the attorney to complete his responses.
Solicitor General Sauer contended that while courts could intervene on behalf of specific plaintiffs, they should not have the power to issue nationwide injunctions. He emphasized that such broad injunctions could lead to inconsistent judgments and overstep the traditional bounds of judicial authority.
The outcome of this case could reshape the balance of power between the executive branch and the judiciary. If the Court limits nationwide injunctions, it may change how federal courts respond to executive actions in the future. The exchange reflects the continuing debate within the Supreme Court over the extent of judicial involvement in executive decisions. It also shows Chief Justice Roberts’ efforts to maintain order during arguments, particularly in cases involving major political and constitutional questions.
Listen to the audio below of the exchanges:
🚨LISTEN
“Can I hear the rest of his answer?” –
Chief Justice Roberts says in an attempt to stop
Justice Sonya Sotomayor from hogging the mic from US Solicitor General D. John Sauer in Trump v CASA Birthright Citizenship pic.twitter.com/ycoKLXZLwk
— Mark Naughton (@MarkNaughton9) May 15, 2025
HUGE SMACKDOWN!!! Trump’s Solicitor General fact-checked Sotomayor on birthright citizenship so brutally that she started interrupting him constantly.
Sotomayor: “Right now we have novel courts who’ve percolated this issue and said you’re violating precedent, not only precedent… pic.twitter.com/Udx3JFIG2R
— George (@BehizyTweets) May 15, 2025
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