The 5 biggest cases the US Supreme Court could decide soon

I have heard the oral arguments. Now, the waiting game begins at the U.S. Supreme Court as justices begin ruling on some back-to-back cases affecting everything from abortion to guns to how your city deals with homelessness.

Here’s a look at some of the biggest cases that could be decided soon.

The future of mifepristone

Dubbed by some the “abortion pill,” the drug was used in more than 6 out of 10 abortions in the United States last year. But a group of anti-abortion doctors says the drug is unsafe and that the FDA has improperly approved the drug for certain uses in recent years, such as allowing it to be sent by mail.

The US Food and Drug Administration says it’s safe. But if the drug is restricted by the high court, providers may soon have to use other drugs for medical abortions.

Supreme Court appears skeptical of abortion pill challenge

Will a major stock ban remain in place?

Former President Trump banned bump stocks after the 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas. They are used to modify semi-automatic pistols to speed up the firing mechanism, turning them into machine gun-like devices.

Will the high court uphold the ban? Or will the justices find that they violate the Second Amendment?

The Supreme Court considers the arguments regarding the legality of bump stocks

Cracking down on social media

Justices have heard several cases this term about whether social media companies can block or censor content posted on their platforms.

One case examines whether the Biden administration has the right to require social media to remove posts it deems false or problematic. How court rules might affect what you see or don’t see online.

The Supreme Court heard a case of misinformation on social networks

Homeless rights

Can cities move homeless camps? What rights do the homeless have?

The judges’ upcoming opinion could have a drastic impact on what your city can do to address the homeless.

Future of homeless camps at center of US Supreme Court case

Presidential immunity

Does former President Trump have any immunity from the charges he faces for the January 6, 2021 Capitol riots?

The timing of the Supreme Court’s decision could have an impact on whether the former president faces a federal lawsuit before Election Day or if the case is dismissed.

Supreme Court intervenes with lawyers on Trump’s presidential immunity claim

Alison LaCroix is ​​a law professor at the University of Chicago and says the high court has the chance to change a lot in our country in the coming weeks. However, she sees the presidential immunity case as the biggest to watch.

“This could affect democracy, for sure,” she said. “If they (the justices) were to say absolute immunity, that could bar (former) President Trump from federal cases and possibly state prosecutions.”