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Supreme Court's 2016 Ruling Sparked Controversial 'Shadow Docket'

4/18/2026

25 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

In April 2026, The New York Times disclosed confidential Supreme Court memos about a 2016 ruling halting former U.S. President Barack Obama's Clean Power Plan.
The court's 5-4 decision marked the start of the 'shadow docket,' enabling swift action on major initiatives with limited transparency.
Legal experts say the ruling broke from traditional procedures and that the reasons behind the shift remain unclear.

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Story summary

In April 2026, The New York Times disclosed confidential Supreme Court memos about a 2016 ruling halting former U.S. President Barack Obama's Clean Power Plan.
The court's 5-4 decision marked the start of the 'shadow docket,' enabling swift action on major initiatives with limited transparency.
Legal experts say the ruling broke from traditional procedures and that the reasons behind the shift remain unclear.