Supreme Court Limits Some Nationwide Court Orders

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 to limit when lower courts can block federal actions nationwide. Courts can still stop policies in some cases, but not across the whole country unless the law clearly allows it.

This case involved challenges to President Trump’s order on birthright citizenship. The justices didn’t decide whether the order was legal, only whether lower courts went too far by blocking it everywhere.

Justice Amy Coney Barrett said Congress hasn’t given courts the power to issue these nationwide blocks.

The Court took up this issue after three lower court judges blocked Trump’s order in different states. The main question was whether judges should have the power to stop policies across the entire country. The government argued this power is too broad.

This ruling could change how courts handle federal policies, especially since presidents often use executive orders when Congress can’t agree.