Virtual SCOTUS News

The Supreme Court had telephonic arguments from Monday to Wednesday on various major issues (tribal sovereignty, rules for discrimination claims for teachers at religious schools, Trump financials and faithless electors). Roberts seemed a bit stressed on Monday, but things ended on a good note, perhaps because the justices as a whole wanted to avoid problems in the last case. If anything, more state power over elections can be applied to help Trump.

No orders on Monday, one unanimous trademark decision on Thursday and a conference today. Sotomayor's opinion there however was overshadowed by a "statement" (more like a dissent) joined by RBG to an appeal from the 5CA (which overturned a district judge's ruling for the prisoners) involving the needs of older prisoners in these times. As she notes: "May we hope that our country’s facilities serve rather than cautionary tales." The Supreme Court rejected the appeal without comment. Maybe, a bit of comment as they stay at home would have been appropriate. OTOH, see its Wisconsin primary opinion.

Also, Michigan plans to settle the literacy case, so the lower court stands for now.