Supreme Court opens October 2025 term with executive power docket

The Supreme Court opened its 2025–26 term on Oct. 6, 2025, and scheduled dozens of cases through Jun. 2026.

The Court accepted consolidated tariff challenges (Learning Resources v

Trump; Trump v

V.O.S Selections) that raise whether IEEPA authorizes the Liberation Day tariffs and whether that statute unconstitutionally delegates legislative power.

The Court stayed a lower‑court order reinstating FTC Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter on Sept. 8, 2025, and accepted the Slaughter removal dispute for further review on Sept. 22, 2025. The case raises whether Humphrey's Executor (1935) still protects multi‑member independent agencies.

The Court put the challenge over President Trump's effort to remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook on a Jan. 2026 argument schedule; reporting and calendars show the Court has not issued a published emergency order on Oct. 1, 2025 that immediately resolved Cook's removal.

Trackers disagree on counts. Reuters reported 19 emergency applications by mid‑Jun. 2025; the Brennan Center and others counted 22 shadow‑docket decisions affecting administration actions; the Center for American Progress reports the Court sided with the administration in 84 percent of cases by its methodology.

Louisiana v. Callais was set for argument on Oct. 15, 2025, and challenges a second majority‑minority district under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.

NRSC v. FEC challenges coordination limits between parties and campaigns. The case is closely watched for how it would change campaign spending rules; the original description misstates JD Vance's filing role and timing.

Chiles v. Salazar (conversion‑therapy ban) and other First Amendment and equal‑protection claims are on the Oct. 2025 docket and will test state power to regulate speech and medical practice.