Thread by @thetimes

#WorldatFive: Now dominated by six Republican appointees, over the coming months the Supreme Court will weigh in on abortion, guns, religion and race, the most divisive issues in American life thetimes.co.uk/article/as-the…

With furious demonstrations sweeping the country and a legal challenge by the Justice Department under way, the Supreme Court is now set to hear an appeal that calls for the overturning of Roe v Wade, the landmark 1973 ruling that established a constitutional right to abortion.

Mississippi has sought to reinstate its law banning abortions after 15 weeks, which was struck down by lower courts. In its appeal to the Supreme Court, the state has argued that the simplest solution would be to overturn the precedent set almost 50 years ago by Roe v Wade.

Hearings on the Mississippi case could begin next month, and will play out in the glare of frenzied public and political scrutiny. The court is expected to deliver its verdict next year, as campaigning for the midterm elections reach their climax.

Jeffrey B Wall, a former acting solicitor general for President Trump, said the court’s verdict on Mississippi would be the defining judgment of the term.

“If the court actually is prepared to overrule Roe and Casey, what it does on guns and affirmative action will be relatively minor wind in the sails,” Wall told the briefing at Georgetown Law Centre.

Read the full story: thetimes.co.uk/article/as-the…