Supreme Court press corps asks chief justice to live-stream court’s opinions
Members of the Supreme Court press corps released a public letter Wednesday asking that the audio of the court’s opinions and oral dissents be streamed online. The letter was originally sent to Chief Justice John Roberts privately one year ago, and has not received a response.
The signatories were representatives from all the major radio and TV networks as well as the newspaper and news agencies that cover the court, including NPR.
As it stands now, over the coming days as the U.S. Supreme Court announces a variety of highly significant decisions from the bench, only the lawyers, public attendees and members of the press corps who happen to be in the courtroom will hear directly from the justice of the opinion as he or she reads a summary of the decision.
The audio of that announcement will not be available until the next term begins in the fall, when it can be listened to at the National Archives or on the Oyez website.
The letter notes that the court began providing live audio of oral arguments in 2020 when the pandemic prevented the justices from hearing oral arguments together. Until then the court had resisted broadcasting oral arguments except in very rare cases, such as Bush v. Gore, the case that decided the 2000 election. But after the pandemic subsided and normal arguments resumed, the court continued the practice of live-streaming oral arguments — though continued to bar live streaming of opinion announcements.
The letter argues that while the justices would like people to read their opinions in their entirety for themselves, most people will not devote the hours needed to do that. It goes on to say that “in this era of misinformation, providing live audio of opinion announcements would allow the Court to speak directly to the American people on issues of extraordinary importance.”
It concludes that “just as the Court’s live streaming of oral arguments has made your work accessible to a much wider audience, taking the next stop to allow the court’s opinion announcements to be heard in real time will lead to greater understanding and appreciation of the court’s final decisions.”
After Texas ruling, Trump and Republicans head to 2026 with a redistricting edge
Trump has prompted a redistricting race as he tries to maintain Republican control of the House in the 2026 elections. Democrats have fewer options to counter, as the battle heads into next year.
How China, not the U.S., became the main climate solution story in 2025
The U.S. has become a "side character" in the global story of renewable energy, experts say. China dominates the sector, with positive implications for the climate and their economy.
Supreme Court to hear case that could vastly expand presidential powers
The Supreme Court hears arguments in a case about President Trump's firing of a Federal Trade Commissioner. At stake is a 90-year precedent limiting the president's power over independent agencies.
Republicans push high deductible plans and health savings accounts
A Republican call to give Americans cash instead of health insurance subsidies revives an old idea that has left millions with medical debt.
Zelenskyy heads to London for more Ukraine peace talks. Here’s what to know
The talks signal fresh support from European allies. But they follow stalled U.S. negotiations in Miami and comments from President Trump's son suggesting Washington is ready to pull back.
Tributes, not politics, play center stage as Trump hosts the Kennedy Center Honors
President Trump said he was closely involved with picking the honorees, and on Sunday he became the first president to host the Kennedy Center awards ceremony.
