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Justice Kagan Says Court Not Trump Puppet Amid Trust Decline

7/24/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan told judges and lawyers the court is not a puppet for President Donald Trump while noting it sometimes takes actions the movement calls ‘deeply wrong’ yet is not deferential to the administration.
Kagan made the remarks at the Ninth Circuit’s judges and lawyers gathering in Washington.
Recent polls show declining trust, prompting justices to use public appearances to defuse the view they are political actors.

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Story summary

Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan told judges and lawyers the court is not a puppet for President Donald Trump while noting it sometimes takes actions the movement calls ‘deeply wrong’ yet is not deferential to the administration.
Kagan made the remarks at the Ninth Circuit’s judges and lawyers gathering in Washington.
Recent polls show declining trust, prompting justices to use public appearances to defuse the view they are political actors.