Justice Jackson Publicly Criticizes Supreme Court's Handling of Emergency Orders

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 05:08:00 +0200

Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson has delivered a sharp critique of her conservative colleagues’ increasing use of emergency orders to facilitate policies enacted by the Trump administration. Speaking at Yale Law School, Justice Jackson characterized these orders, often issued with minimal explanation, as “scratch-paper musings” that are dismissive of the real-world impact on individuals. She argued that the Court's approach, frequently allowing temporary actions to move forward, creates a perception of being oblivious to the consequences of its decisions. Justice Jackson specifically took issue with the Court's tendency to grant emergency stays without fully considering the potential harm to those challenging the policies. She contrasted this with a historical reluctance to intervene in cases early in the legal process, suggesting a concerning shift in the Court’s posture regarding contentious policy issues. Justice Jackson’s remarks, echoing similar concerns raised recently