Supreme Court Opens New Term Testing Trump's Expanding Presidential Powers. The U.S. Supreme Court begins its new term Monday with major cases that could define the limits of President Donald Trump's authority. In his eight months back in office, Trump has pushed executive power further than any modern president—slashing budgets, reshaping agencies, and even trying to seize control of state National Guard units. One key case involves Trump's deployment of troops to Portland, Oregon, which a federal judge blocked as unconstitutional. The dispute could soon reach the Supreme Court through its so-called "shadow docket," where past rulings have often favored Trump's actions. This term, the justices will weigh challenges to Trump's power to fire members of independent agencies, impose tariffs and cut spending—alongside cultural flashpoints like transgender sports bans and conversion therapy laws. Legal scholars say the coming months will test not only Trump's presidency, but the Court's own willingness to explain and justify its sweeping decisions. [Instructions: THIS VIDEO MUST NOT BE EDITED FOR LENGTH TO COMBINE WITH OTHER CONTENT]