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| Trump Supreme Court pick: Why is the US top court so important? | Trump Supreme Court pick: Why is the US top court so important? |
| (about 17 hours later) | |
| US Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy has announced his retirement. So why is this a big deal? | US Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy has announced his retirement. So why is this a big deal? |
| We do not yet know who President Donald Trump will nominate as his replacement. | We do not yet know who President Donald Trump will nominate as his replacement. |
| Given the immense impact the US Supreme Court has on US political life, the nominee will face tough questions from the Senate during any confirmation hearings. | Given the immense impact the US Supreme Court has on US political life, the nominee will face tough questions from the Senate during any confirmation hearings. |
| So how might this pick change the nation's high court? | So how might this pick change the nation's high court? |
| Who are the current justices? Meet the Supremes | Who are the current justices? Meet the Supremes |
| What does the Supreme Court do? | What does the Supreme Court do? |
| The highest court in the US is often the final word on highly contentious laws, disputes between states and the federal government, and final appeals to stay executions. | The highest court in the US is often the final word on highly contentious laws, disputes between states and the federal government, and final appeals to stay executions. |
| It hears fewer than 100 cases a year and the key announcements are made in June. Each of the nine justices serve a lifetime appointment after being nominated by the president and approved by the Senate. | It hears fewer than 100 cases a year and the key announcements are made in June. Each of the nine justices serve a lifetime appointment after being nominated by the president and approved by the Senate. |
| Cases are usually brought to the court after they are appealed from a series of lower courts, although in time-sensitive cases, lawyers can petition for a hearing. The court's opinions can also create precedents, directing other judges to follow their interpretation in similar cases. | Cases are usually brought to the court after they are appealed from a series of lower courts, although in time-sensitive cases, lawyers can petition for a hearing. The court's opinions can also create precedents, directing other judges to follow their interpretation in similar cases. |
| In recent years, the court has expanded gay marriage to all 50 states, allowed for President Donald Trump's travel ban to be put in place and delayed a US plan to cut carbon emissions while appeals went forward. | |
| Occasionally, the Supreme Court will revisit an issue in a new case and change their own precedent, a move anti-abortion activists hope will come to pass with a new conservative justice. | Occasionally, the Supreme Court will revisit an issue in a new case and change their own precedent, a move anti-abortion activists hope will come to pass with a new conservative justice. |
| What are key issues in front of the court? | What are key issues in front of the court? |
| The court makes many of its big decisions in June. | The court makes many of its big decisions in June. |
| Already this month it has ruled on contentious issues such as the Trump travel ban, trade union fees and gerrymandering. | Already this month it has ruled on contentious issues such as the Trump travel ban, trade union fees and gerrymandering. |
| Despite being appointed by Ronald Reagan, Justice Kennedy has sided with both the conservative and liberal justices on major cases. | Despite being appointed by Ronald Reagan, Justice Kennedy has sided with both the conservative and liberal justices on major cases. |
| He was a moderate on social issues, notably backing gay marriage. | He was a moderate on social issues, notably backing gay marriage. |
| If a more conservative judge replaces him, as is likely, anti-abortion advocates could push to get that issue under consideration by the top US court. | If a more conservative judge replaces him, as is likely, anti-abortion advocates could push to get that issue under consideration by the top US court. |
| What's the current state of the court? | What's the current state of the court? |
| While a majority of Supreme Court cases do not break on ideological lines, there are conservative and liberal wings. | While a majority of Supreme Court cases do not break on ideological lines, there are conservative and liberal wings. |
| Key cases have been decided on 5-4 votes. | Key cases have been decided on 5-4 votes. |
| With Kennedy's departure, the court is arguably divided four-four. | With Kennedy's departure, the court is arguably divided four-four. |
| Confirming a conservative justice would ultimately return the court to a narrow conservative majority. | Confirming a conservative justice would ultimately return the court to a narrow conservative majority. |
| Does the court matter globally? | Does the court matter globally? |
| US research suggests that the influence of the Supreme Court abroad has diminished over the past two decades, as court systems elsewhere in the world develop and US influence in general wanes. | US research suggests that the influence of the Supreme Court abroad has diminished over the past two decades, as court systems elsewhere in the world develop and US influence in general wanes. |
| Fewer courts internationally cite US Supreme Court opinions, increasingly citing the European Court of Human Rights and other national supreme courts. | Fewer courts internationally cite US Supreme Court opinions, increasingly citing the European Court of Human Rights and other national supreme courts. |
| In 2016 a Supreme Court decision on emissions from coal-fired power plants on US soil threatened the Paris Climate Agreement, but enough other countries ratified the treaty for it to come into force. | In 2016 a Supreme Court decision on emissions from coal-fired power plants on US soil threatened the Paris Climate Agreement, but enough other countries ratified the treaty for it to come into force. |
| Donald Trump's controversial travel ban, which affects Middle East countries designated as terror-prone, was cemented this week by the Supreme Court, with the outcome affecting millions internationally. | Donald Trump's controversial travel ban, which affects Middle East countries designated as terror-prone, was cemented this week by the Supreme Court, with the outcome affecting millions internationally. |
| And back in 2000, the Supreme Court decided the outcome of the presidential election between George W Bush and Al Gore - a decision which more recent history shows still has a significant impact around the world. | And back in 2000, the Supreme Court decided the outcome of the presidential election between George W Bush and Al Gore - a decision which more recent history shows still has a significant impact around the world. |
| The court could in theory be asked to rule on legal challenges to international trade agreements, such as the controversial Trans-Pacific Partnership, although TPP was revoked by Mr Trump using an executive order. | The court could in theory be asked to rule on legal challenges to international trade agreements, such as the controversial Trans-Pacific Partnership, although TPP was revoked by Mr Trump using an executive order. |