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ARTICLE · 18 JULY 2025

Decision Alert: Supreme Court Rules District Courts Lack Power To Issue Universal Injunctions

The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in Trump v. CASA, Inc. that federal district courts lack authority under the Judiciary Act of 1789 to issue universal (or nationwide) injunctions.

United StatesLitigation, Mediation & Arbitration

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The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in Trump v. CASA, Inc. that federal district courts lack authority under the Judiciary Act of 1789 to issue universal (or nationwide) injunctions. Justice Barrett wrote the Court's opinion, joined by Chief Justice Roberts and Justices Thomas, Alito, and Kavanaugh. Justices Thomas, Alito, and Kavanaugh filed separate concurrences. Justice Sotomayor dissented, joined by Justices Kagan and Jackson. Justice Jackson also authored a separate dissent.

As described in Dykema's May edition, several plaintiffs challenged Executive Order 14160 issued by President Trump, restricting access to birthright U.S. citizenship. Three district courts responded by issuing universal injunctions blocking enforcement of the Order. After three circuit courts of appeals affirmed those injunctions, the federal government petitioned the Supreme Court for partial stays, arguing that any injunction should be limited to the named plaintiffs. The

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