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SCOTUS Faces Trump Loyalty Test in New Term

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — When the Supreme Court began its 2025–26 term on Monday, legal observers, scholars, and advocates warned that the justices are again positioned to shape the country’s direction on equality, freedom, and democracy itself.

Published

1 year ago

October 7, 2025

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

When the Supreme Court began its 2025–26 term on Monday, legal observers, scholars, and advocates warned that the justices are again positioned to shape the country’s direction on equality, freedom, and democracy itself.

The new docket is filled with cases involving race, gender, campaign finance, and presidential authority. At the D.C. Bar’s annual Supreme Court Review and Preview, more than one hundred attendees gathered in person and virtually to hear predictions about the cases that could define the nation’s future. Moderator Daniel Woofter said the “polarization of the Court is undeniable.” According to figures discussed at the event, Chief Justice John Roberts joined the majority 95 percent of the time during the previous term, while Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito aligned 97 percent of the time. Elaine Goldenberg of Munger, Tolles and Olson said what was once a rarely used emergency docket has now become “a huge part of the Supreme Court’s work.” She said the docket has allowed the justices to act on politically charged cases without the full process of hearings.

That process could again be used to decide cases on transgender rights, conversion therapy, and the limits of presidential authority. In Little v. Hecox and West Virginia v. B.P.J., transgender students are asking the Court to overturn laws that prevent them from competing on teams that match their gender identity. The United States filed briefs opposing those challenges. “It doesn’t seem likely to me that the challengers of both laws are likely to prevail,” Goldenberg stated, noting that the government’s arguments were “sharp in tone” and clearly presented. The PBS NewsHour described this year’s docket as “a reflection of the cultural and partisan clashes of American politics.” One of the most significant cases, Louisiana v. Callais, will determine whether the state must create another majority-Black congressional district under the Voting Rights Act. The case follows Allen v. Milligan, which required Alabama to add a second Black-majority district. The late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg once warned that removing protections from the Voting Rights Act was “like throwing away your umbrella in a rainstorm because you are not getting wet.”

Another case, Chiles v. Salazar, challenges Colorado’s law banning conversion therapy for minors. The lawsuit claims the ban violates free speech and religious liberty. Medical and mental health organizations have long described conversion therapy as dangerous and harmful to young people. In National Republican Senatorial Committee v. Federal Election Commission, former Senator JD Vance is asking the Court to strike down restrictions on how political parties and candidates can coordinate campaign spending. William Jay of Goodwin Procter said the lawsuit “blurs the line between giving and spending.” He said the longstanding rule that giving money to candidates can create corruption risks while spending personal funds counts as free speech is now in question.

The Court will also consider Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump, a case challenging tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. “There was no relationship between the products and the drug trafficking cited to justify the tariffs,” said Morgan Ratner of Sullivan and Cromwell. She explained that the case tests how far presidents can extend their authority during so-called national emergencies. SCOTUSblog reported that the Court has added several other cases touching on guns, property rights, and government power, including a challenge to Hawaii’s law that prevents people from carrying handguns on private property without the owner’s consent. The Court will also review disputes over compensation for property confiscated in Cuba and how the Fifth Amendment’s takings clause applies in those cases.

Legal analyst Elie Mystal wrote in The Nation that the Court “has been corrupted and weaponized” and now functions as “an antidemocratic enforcement mechanism of the Republican political agenda.” He said Democrats missed an opportunity to push for real reform after the Dobbs ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade. Mystal said, “The Supreme Court does not have the final say over how we have to live as a society. We do.” The PBS NewsHour reported that the Court’s current majority now favors what is known as originalism, the belief that the Constitution should be interpreted as it was understood when first ratified, rather than as a living document that evolves with society. Scholars said this view has already changed national law on abortion, guns, affirmative action, and federal regulation.

The Court’s rulings this term are expected to affect elections, education, civil rights, and the limits of government power. Public confidence in the judiciary has reached record lows. One panelist at the D.C. Bar discussion said, “Every ruling this term will tell us something about what kind of country we still are.”

Stacy M. Brown

Posts by Stacy M. Brown

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Smooth Ride! Car Suspension & Comfort Tested #shorts

Smooth suspension meets surprisingly spacious legroom. Experience true comfort on any road!

Published

2 weeks ago

October 4, 2026

Oakland Post

Car suspension test demonstrating a smooth ride, comfort features, and handling on various terrains.

Experience the difference smooth suspension makes on rough streets. Check out the surprisingly good second-row legroom – test it yourself for true comfort.

Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/l9Z571za5Gc

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Oakland Post

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61 years since Selma, Houston leaders say the bridge remains to be crossed

61 years after Selma, Houston leaders say the fight for equality continues. The issues that sparked the marches still impact Black Americans today.

Published

2 weeks ago

October 4, 2026

Oakland Post

Houston leaders discuss the ongoing struggle for civil rights 61 years after Selma, emphasizing the need for continued action.

It has been 61 years since the Selma marches. But political leaders in Houston say that the issues protesters were marching for still plague the lives of Black Americans.

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Here is what you need to know about finding unique white elephant gift ideas that everyone wants to steal

The best white elephant gift ideas are funny enough to get a reaction but useful enough that people actually want to steal them. Look for gifts with a surprise factor, broad appeal, an inside joke, and just enough personality to spark some friendly competition. The wrapping paper comes off, the room goes quiet for half […]

Published

2 weeks ago

October 4, 2026

Oakland Post

The best white elephant gift ideas are funny enough to get a reaction but useful enough that people actually want to steal them. Look for gifts with a surprise factor, broad appeal, an inside joke, and just enough personality to spark some friendly competition.

The wrapping paper comes off, the room goes quiet for half a second, and suddenly everyone wants the same gift. That is the sweet spot. A great white elephant pick should make people laugh, lean in, and start plotting their next steal before the turn is even over.

Should a White Elephant Gift Be Funny or Useful?

A white elephant gift can be funny or useful, but the strongest choices usually give people a reason to laugh and a reason to keep the item. A practical gift with an odd design, unexpected feature, or playful theme can get a reaction without becoming something the recipient immediately wants to give away.

The right balance depends on the group. Close friends and family members may enjoy a ridiculous gag gift because they already understand one another’s sense of humor.

A workplace exchange, neighborhood party, or mixed-age gathering usually calls for something with broader appeal. In those settings, humor works better when it is built into an item people could still use afterward.

It also helps to think about how quickly the gift will make sense once it is opened. A strangely shaped kitchen tool, oversized mug, quirky desk accessory, or unexpectedly fancy everyday item can create an immediate reaction. Guests understand the joke right away, while the item still has enough practical value to attract a steal.

Pure gag gifts can be harder to pull off. Something that exists only for the punchline may get a big laugh during the reveal and then sit untouched for the rest of the game. If the goal is to bring one of the gifts everyone keeps fighting over, usefulness gives the joke staying power.

Memorable Present Ideas: Creating Inside Joke Gifts

Inside joke gifts can make a white elephant exchange feel much more personal, especially when most of the group shares the same stories. The trick is choosing a reference that people will recognize quickly instead of building the entire joke around something only two guests understand.

You can turn a memorable vacation mishap, office catchphrase, family story, or long-running group joke into the theme of the gift. A personalized comic book can work especially well when it turns familiar people or a ridiculous shared moment into part of the story.

Think carefully about who the joke involves before ordering anything permanent. The gift should make the person feel included in the fun, not singled out for the wrong reason.

Can You Bring Something You Already Own?

Holiday gift exchanges can be a good place to re-gift something you never used, especially if it is unopened and clean.

The following can all work if they still look presentable:

A duplicate kitchen gadget
An untouched game
A decorative item
A sealed gift set
An unopened candle
A new travel accessory

The goal is to give the item a second chance, not use the exchange as an excuse to clear out damaged or unwanted clutter.

Take a close look at the packaging before wrapping it. Faded boxes, missing pieces, visible wear, or anything that looks obviously used can make the gift feel careless.

Wrapping Budget-Friendly Gifts

Wrapping can make gifts more entertaining before anyone even knows what’s inside.

Misdirection works especially well for fun party games. Put a small gift inside a much larger box. Use packaging from an unrelated household item.

Add harmless weight so guests cannot guess what they are holding. The reveal becomes part of the joke without changing the gift itself.

You can also lean into the theme of the exchange. Bright paper, oversized bows, reusable bags, or deliberately over-the-top wrapping can make an ordinary item feel more memorable. If the gift itself is already funny, simple wrapping may work better so the surprise stays hidden until the last second.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Picking Last an Advantage in White Elephant?

Picking last can be an advantage because you get to see almost every gift before making your move. Instead of choosing blindly from the remaining wrapped presents, you can steal something that has already caught your attention if the rules still allow it.

That advantage depends on the house rules. Some games limit how many times a gift can be stolen.

Others lock an item once it reaches a certain number of steals. If the most popular gifts are already unavailable, the final player may have fewer strong options than expected.

The first player can also get another turn at the end in some versions of the game. That rule can balance things out, since the person who started with the least information may get one final chance to steal.

How Do You Plan White Elephant for a Large Group?

For a large white elephant exchange, set a firm spending limit and establish the stealing rules in advance.

Create a clear turn order before the game begins. Drawing numbers as guests arrive can save time once everyone is ready to start.

Keep the number of steals per gift limited so the game does not drag on. It also helps to have one person track which creative holiday presents have been stolen and when they are locked, especially if dozens of people are participating.

Can You Play White Elephant Virtually?

A virtual white elephant exchange can work over a video call, with one person keeping track of the turn order and each steal. Guests can either mail physical gifts ahead of time or use digital gifts that can be delivered once the game ends.

Set the spending limit and stealing rules before everyone joins. It also helps to decide how gifts will be revealed and who is responsible for sending each one afterward so the exchange does not become confusing.