The new U.S. Supreme Court term, which begins today, could provide Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito, the court's eldest and most conservative members, with an opportunity to push U.S. law further rightward on contentious issues such as gun rights, religion in public schools and voting restrictions.
Thomas, 78, has served on the high court since 1991, making him the second-longest-serving justice in American history. Alito, 76, joined the bench in 2006. Earlier in their tenures, they often found themselves in dissent in major decisions, but the court, with a 6-3 conservative majority since 2020, has moved to the right, placing Thomas and Alito in a more influential position.
Last term, they helped deliver long-sought conservative victories, including a ruling expanding presidential control over regulatory agencies and a decision further limiting the scope of the Voting Rights Act. They've also been President Trump's most reliable votes in cases involving his expansive use of presidential powers.
With more Trump-related cases on the docket this term — including two involving his hardline immigration policies — legal experts say the justices appear more interested in wielding their influence than stepping aside.
Jan Wolfe has more here.
