As the Supreme Court shifts its ideological balance in 2024, the Roberts court is set to hear a range of controversial landmark cases on topics ranging from abortion rights to gun legislation and the Jan 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol.
At the center of these major cases are laws and regulations affecting abortion rights and Roe v. Wade, which affirms the right to terminate a pregnancy. It’s likely that the court’s newly conservative majority, appointed by former President Donald Trump, will take up cases seeking to limit or overturn the landmark 1973 ruling.
The court could also be called upon to rule on challenges to state and federal gun control laws. The issue has become entangled in Second Amendment debates in the wake of a series of mass shootings. A ruling from the high court on the broad scope of gun control would be sure to draw enormous attention from both advocates and opponents.
In addition, the court could end up addressing a broad range of legal issues related to the Jan 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol by pro-Trump supporters. The incident thrust the concept of incitement into the spotlight and drew attention to the limits of free speech and the government’s power to punish those who engage in it. These questions could become prime candidates for high court review.
The Supreme Court’s rulings on these cases and others could shape the future of American law, politics, and society for years to come. It remains to be seen which side will come out on top in this pivotal moment of transition.
