During his presidency, Joe Biden faced significant setbacks at the U.S. Supreme Court, whose 6-3 conservative majority overturned key policies central to his agenda. Landmark rulings included the 2022 overturning of Roe v. Wade, which ended federal abortion rights, and the 2023 rejection of race-based college admissions policies. The Court also struck down Biden's $430 billion student loan relief plan and curtailed the Environmental Protection Agency’s authority to regulate carbon emissions.
Biden appointed Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman on the Court, though her confirmation did not shift the ideological balance. His administration also clashed with the Court’s conservative interpretation of the Constitution, which often favored historical and originalist perspectives. This trend limited federal agency powers through the "major questions doctrine," particularly affecting environmental and regulatory policies.
Despite these defeats, Biden achieved some legal victories. The Court upheld a law requiring TikTok’s sale for national security reasons and preserved the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s funding. However, some successes were procedural, leaving underlying legal issues unresolved.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump secured a major victory in 2024 when the Court granted limited immunity for actions taken during his presidency. This decision highlighted a shift enhancing presidential power while reducing federal regulatory reach.
Biden proposed reforms, including Supreme Court term limits, but met strong resistance from Republicans. Analysts suggest his administration struggled to adapt to the Court’s conservative approach, which hindered major policy advancements.
With Trump returning to the presidency, the Supreme Court’s conservative dominance is likely to deepen, shaping future rulings and federal law enforcement. Legal scholars warn these trends will significantly impact governance and regulatory authority.