Justice Kagan Defends Conservative Court While Rejecting Trump-Era Puppet Claims

At a yearly judges and lawyers meeting for the Ninth Circuit, Justice Elena Kagan addressed accusations that the Supreme Court has become overly deferential to President Trump. She affirmed that the Court is indeed conservative, adhering to a well-established legal playbook, but denied it functions as a puppet for the current administration. Kagan highlighted that most high-profile rulings since 2017 reflect longstanding conservative doctrines, referencing the reversal of precedents such as Roe v. Wade and Board of Regents v. Bakke, which echo earlier dissents by Justices Scalia and Thomas.

She acknowledged a handful of Trump-related cases, noting that even in those, the Court’s decisions were not driven by the president’s preferences. By framing the Court as a conservative institution rather than a Trump Court, Kagan underscored a broader ideological continuity.