First ever photo of Supreme Court justices, 1866. Chief Justice Salmon Chase in middle. Wikimedia
Q1. The Supreme Court is expected to rule this term on the legal challenges to the tariffs President Trump levied under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) of 1977. IEEPA authorizes presidents to "regulate importation" in response to an "unusual and extraordinary" threat.
Plaintiffs argue IEEPA does not have the word "tariff" in it, was not intended for tariff use, and has never been used previously to levy tariffs.
In oral arguments this week, Justice Amy Coney Barrett asked White House counsel "can you point to anywhere in any code or any time in history that the phrase ‘regulate importation’ has been used to confer tariff imposing authority?" Counsel answered that the ability to regulate importation necessarily includes the ability to tariff.
Justice Sotomayor asked counsel (paraphrasing) "If the goal is to onshore production, why not use import quotas as has been done under the statute in the past?" Counsel answered because they had the power to tariff.
Do you think IEEPA allows for tariffs? If there are to be import regulations, would you prefer tariffs or quotas?
Plaintiffs argue IEEPA does not have the word "tariff" in it, was not intended for tariff use, and has never been used previously to levy tariffs.
In oral arguments this week, Justice Amy Coney Barrett asked White House counsel "can you point to anywhere in any code or any time in history that the phrase ‘regulate importation’ has been used to confer tariff imposing authority?" Counsel answered that the ability to regulate importation necessarily includes the ability to tariff.
Justice Sotomayor asked counsel (paraphrasing) "If the goal is to onshore production, why not use import quotas as has been done under the statute in the past?" Counsel answered because they had the power to tariff.
Do you think IEEPA allows for tariffs? If there are to be import regulations, would you prefer tariffs or quotas?
(Image: It is illegal to photo the Court in session, and thus there are only 2 known such pics, both done surreptitiously. The1st is from 1932, when Dr. Erich Salomon faked a broken arm to hide a camera in his cast. )
overall
custom
male
female
rep
ind
dem
18-29
30-44
45-64
65+
Don't care
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
Q2. The Supreme Court is due to rule this term on US v Hemani. At issue is the federal statute that prohibits the possession of firearms by a person who “is an unlawful user of, or addicted to, any controlled substance.”
In 2022, FBI agents searched the Lewiston, TX home of Ali Danial Hemani. They found a Glock 9 mm pistol, 60 grams of marijuana, and 4.7 grams of cocaine, which led to prosecution under the referenced statute.
Hemani argued the prosecution violated his 2nd Amendment rights because the law only applies to those who are impaired when carrying a firearm.
Do you think the statute applies to only those impaired when carrying a firearm? Which would you prefer it applied to?
In 2022, FBI agents searched the Lewiston, TX home of Ali Danial Hemani. They found a Glock 9 mm pistol, 60 grams of marijuana, and 4.7 grams of cocaine, which led to prosecution under the referenced statute.
Hemani argued the prosecution violated his 2nd Amendment rights because the law only applies to those who are impaired when carrying a firearm.
Do you think the statute applies to only those impaired when carrying a firearm? Which would you prefer it applied to?
(Image: The 2nd illegal photo is from 1937, taken by an unnamed young woman who concealed a camera in her handbag. )
overall
custom
male
female
rep
ind
dem
18-29
30-44
45-64
65+
Don't care
2%
0%
3%
0%
0%
3%
8%
0%
1%
2%
Q3. The Supreme Court is due to rule this term on Landor v Louisiana Dept of Corrections. At issue is the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000 (RLUIPA), which prohibits restricting religious practices for institutionalized persons.
Plaintiff Damon Landor was nearing the end of a five-month sentence in LA when he was transferred to another prison, where he explained to an intake guard that he was a practicing Rastafarian. Landor had not cut his hair, which reached nearly to his knees, for almost 20 years. But although Landor also provided the guard with a copy of a ruling by a federal court striking down the state’s policy prohibiting prisoners from wearing dreadlocks, the warden instructed guards to restrain him in a chair, where they forcibly shaved his head.
The case is about whether Landor can sue the prison officials for money damages, which LA argues is not allowed under RLUIPA.
If you believe prison officials broke the law, should Landor be able to sue them for monetary damages?
Plaintiff Damon Landor was nearing the end of a five-month sentence in LA when he was transferred to another prison, where he explained to an intake guard that he was a practicing Rastafarian. Landor had not cut his hair, which reached nearly to his knees, for almost 20 years. But although Landor also provided the guard with a copy of a ruling by a federal court striking down the state’s policy prohibiting prisoners from wearing dreadlocks, the warden instructed guards to restrain him in a chair, where they forcibly shaved his head.
The case is about whether Landor can sue the prison officials for money damages, which LA argues is not allowed under RLUIPA.
If you believe prison officials broke the law, should Landor be able to sue them for monetary damages?
(Image: Law library from Old Supreme Court, located in US Capitol. Photo circa 1895. Wikimedia)
overall
custom
male
female
rep
ind
dem
18-29
30-44
45-64
65+
Yes
59%
54%
64%
32%
71%
82%
82%
57%
55%
53%
59%
No
12%
14%
10%
17%
10%
7%
0%
10%
14%
18%
12%
Moot: prison officials didn't break law
22%
26%
19%
45%
13%
4%
10%
27%
26%
21%
22%
Not sure
6%
5%
6%
5%
5%
6%
8%
5%
5%
6%
6%
Don't care
1%
1%
1%
1%
1%
0%
0%
0%
1%
2%
1%
June 2024
Hunter Biden was prosecuted for violating the law against drug users purchasing guns. We asked who should be banned by law from buying a gun?
11% Anyone who as ever used drugs (16% GOP, 7% Dem, 10% Inde)
56% Only those using at time of purchase (59% GOP, 56% Dem, 51% Inde)
17% None, drug use should not be a factor (12% GOP, 20% Dem, 22% Inde)
Hunter Biden was prosecuted for violating the law against drug users purchasing guns. We asked who should be banned by law from buying a gun?
11% Anyone who as ever used drugs (16% GOP, 7% Dem, 10% Inde)
56% Only those using at time of purchase (59% GOP, 56% Dem, 51% Inde)
17% None, drug use should not be a factor (12% GOP, 20% Dem, 22% Inde)
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