TLT Explains
Supreme Court Allows Transgender Student to Use Preferred Bathroom in South Carolina
What's happening
Supreme Court Allows Transgender Student to Use Preferred Bathroom in South Carolina — Supreme Court decision allowing illegal aliens access to public schools have resurfaced in Charlotte, North Carolina, this week. Following the Department of Homeland Security's announcement of enforcement operations in the city, local reports indicated a significant spike in student absences. Approximately 30,000 students were reported absent from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) on Monday, a figure that more than doubles the average daily absences from the previous week. Explainer Supreme Court Questions Legality of Trump's Emergency Tariffs Initial reports cited 20,935 absences, but this number was later revised. Of the reported absences, 28,136 were categorized as unexcused, according to Queen City News. The following day, CMS recorded another 25,697 absences, with 23,770 unexcused. While officials have not confirmed a direct link between the absences and immigration operations, similar trends were noted in Chicago after ICE initiated a sweep there. CMS has a substantial Hispanic student population, with over 44,000 students identified as Hispanic. Census Bureau data from 2023 indicates that 11 percent of North Carolina's K-12 students have at least one undocumented parent. Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch has emphasized the critical role of civic education in America, warning that neglecting shared history and responsibilities poses a significant threat to the nation. During an appearance on Fox News’ Fox & Friends, Gorsuch discussed his new children’s book, The Heroes of 1776, which aims to educate young readers about the Founding Fathers and lesser-known patriots from the Revolutionary War era.
What's at stake
Explainer Supreme Court Questions Legality of Trump's Emergency Tariffs In the interview, host Lawrence Jones prompted Gorsuch to elaborate on a quote from his book regarding the Constitution establishing the first modern republic where people govern themselves. Gorsuch referenced the Declaration of Independence, highlighting three fundamental ideas: the equality of all individuals, the unalienable rights granted by God rather than government, and the right of the people to self-govern. "Those three ideas really shook old Europe and were never before tried in history," Gorsuch stated. He noted that while these concepts are often taken for granted today, they required significant courage from individuals in 1776 and continue to demand the same commitment from contemporary Americans. He cited Thomas Jefferson's warning that an ignorant populace cannot remain free for long, underscoring the necessity of understanding history to preserve it. Jones raised concerns about the decline in teaching foundational stories in schools, asking Gorsuch if this trend has negatively impacted society. Gorsuch affirmed that the lack of civic education is a shared concern among his colleagues on the . He pointed to alarming statistics indicating a decrease in civic knowledge across the United States, asserting that this ignorance represents an existential threat to the country's future. Supreme Court is set to hear arguments on race-based redistricting in two significant cases, Louisiana v.
The outcome could reshape how states approach congressional map drawing and the use of race in the process. Explainer Supreme Court Questions Legality of Trump's Emergency Tariffs The cases stem from a dispute that began in spring 2022 when the Louisiana Legislature created a congressional map that included only one black-majority district. This decision prompted a lawsuit from several plaintiffs, represented by organizations including the ACLU, who argued that the map diluted black voting strength, violating Section 2 of the Act of 1965. As more reporting is published, this page will be updated with additional context, primary documents, and a clearer picture of how the facts fit together. As more reporting is published, this page will be updated with additional context, primary documents, and a clearer picture of how the facts fit together. As more reporting is published, this page will be updated with additional context, primary documents, and a clearer picture of how the facts fit together. In response to an injunction that blocked the map's implementation, Louisiana redrew its to include a second black-majority district. This led to further litigation from a different group of plaintiffs, who contended that the state had unlawfully prioritized race in its redistricting efforts, thus violating the 14th Amendment's equal protection clause. A three-judge panel agreed, blocking the new map as well. What to watch next is whether new filings, agency actions, votes, or court decisions change the timeline—and how officials respond in the weeks ahead.
Why it matters
The coverage highlights: Supreme Court Allows Texas to Implement New Congressional Map. The coverage highlights: Supreme Court Defers Decision on Trump's Firing of Library of Congress Official. The coverage highlights: Pro-Life Center Takes Its Fight Against Dem Lawfare To SCOTUS. The coverage highlights: It's Past Time Red States Work To Topple SCOTUS' 'Plyler' Ruling. The coverage highlights: Trump Has The Power To Impose Tariffs Via IEEPA. The coverage highlights: Gorsuch: 'The Greatest Danger America Faces Today' Is 'Itself'.
Key facts & context
2025-12-05: Supreme Court Allows Texas to Implement New Congressional Map. 2025-11-26: Supreme Court Defers Decision on Trump's Firing of Library of Congress Official. 2025-11-21: Pro-Life Center Takes Its Fight Against Dem Lawfare To SCOTUS. 2025-11-20: It's Past Time Red States Work To Topple SCOTUS' 'Plyler' Ruling. 2025-11-17: Trump Has The Power To Impose Tariffs Via IEEPA. 2025-11-13: Gorsuch: 'The Greatest Danger America Faces Today' Is 'Itself'. 2025-11-06: SCOTUS Smacks Down Order Blocking Trump's Passport Policy. 2025-10-15: Supreme Court Hears Arguments on Racial Discrimination in Redistricting. 2025-10-14: Alito Critiques Lower Courts for Avoiding Parental Rights Cases in Schools. 2025-10-13: Louisiana Appeals to Supreme Court on Race-Based Redistricting.
Timeline & key developments
2025-12-05: Supreme Court Allows Texas to Implement New Congressional Map. 2025-11-26: Supreme Court Defers Decision on Trump's Firing of Library of Congress Official. 2025-11-21: Pro-Life Center Takes Its Fight Against Dem Lawfare To SCOTUS. 2025-11-20: It's Past Time Red States Work To Topple SCOTUS' 'Plyler' Ruling. 2025-11-17: Trump Has The Power To Impose Tariffs Via IEEPA. 2025-11-13: Gorsuch: 'The Greatest Danger America Faces Today' Is 'Itself'. 2025-11-06: SCOTUS Smacks Down Order Blocking Trump's Passport Policy. 2025-10-15: Supreme Court Hears Arguments on Racial Discrimination in Redistricting. 2025-10-14: Alito Critiques Lower Courts for Avoiding Parental Rights Cases in Schools.
Primary sources
Further reading & references
- (Additional background links will appear here as we cover this topic.)
Related posts
- SCOTUS Permits 'Trans' Student To Use Preferred Bathroom
- SCOTUS Smacks Down Order Blocking Trump's Passport Policy
- Supreme Court Justices Gorsuch and Barrett Engage in Transgender Sports Debate
- Supreme Court Justices Question Legal Definitions of Gender in Sports Case
- Alito Critiques Lower Courts for Avoiding Parental Rights Cases in Schools
- Supreme Court Hears Arguments on Racial Discrimination in Redistricting