The Hundred-Year Court and the Flash-in-the-Pan Presidency
The article analyzes the evolving relationship between the Supreme Court and the Trump administration, suggesting the Court is pursuing a long-term constitutional agenda rather than simple partisan alignment. It argues that the Court will support presidential actions that align with its ideological project while distancing itself from politically risky initiatives.
Why it matters
It provides insight into the strategic judicial philosophy of the Roberts Court and its impact on the balance of power in the US government.
The Supreme Court is mostly giving the Trump administration what it wants—with interesting exceptions.
Chip Somodevilla / Getty July 21, 2026, 10:06 AM ET Share Save At about this time last year, the Roberts Court seemed like an arm of the Trump administration. On its so-called shadow docket—where it considers emergency applications without a full briefing or a hearing—the Supreme Court gave the White House victory after early victory. Over the past year, however, the mood has changed: The Court handed the president major losses on two of his signature policy initiatives, birthright citizenship and global tariffs.
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