Key Supreme Court Cases on Government Powers

Martin v. Hunter's Lessee

Affirmed Supreme Court's authority over state courts in federal law matters.

Ex parte McCardle

Addressed Congress's power to limit Supreme Court's appellate jurisdiction.

Patchak v. Zinke

Upheld Congress's authority to direct courts to dismiss specific pending cases.

Baker v. Carr

Ruled that redistricting issues are justiciable, not just political questions.

Nixon v. United States

Held that impeachment trial procedures are non-justiciable political questions.

Flast v. Cohen

Established taxpayer standing to challenge government expenditures on First Amendment grounds.

Powell v. McCormack

Ruled Congress can't exclude duly elected members for reasons beyond constitutional qualifications.

U.S. Term Limits, Inc. v. Thornton

States can't impose additional qualifications for congressional candidates.

Marbury v. Madison

Established judicial review, allowing courts to strike down unconstitutional laws.

Eakin v. Raub

Pennsylvania case supporting judicial review of state laws.

Gravel v. United States

Extended Speech and Debate Clause protections to congressional aides.

McCulloch v. Maryland

Upheld Congress's implied powers and federal supremacy over states.

McGrain v. Daugherty

Affirmed Congress's power to compel witnesses in investigations.

Watkins v. United States

Limited Congress's investigative powers, requiring clear authorization.

Barenblatt v. United States

Upheld HUAC's authority to investigate communism.

Trump v. Mazars USA, LLP

Limited Congress's subpoena power over the President's personal records.

South Carolina v. Katzenbach

Upheld Congress's broad enforcement powers under the 15th Amendment.

Bush v. Gore

Halted Florida recount, effectively deciding 2000 presidential election.

In re Neagle

Recognized President's authority to protect federal officials without explicit statute.

Clinton v. New York

Struck down Line Item Veto Act as unconstitutional.

Morrison v. Olson

Upheld constitutionality of independent counsel provisions.

Myers v. United States

Affirmed President's power to remove executive officers.

Humphrey's Executor v. United States

Limited presidential removal power for quasi-legislative/judicial agencies.

United States v. Nixon

Limited executive privilege, requiring release of Watergate tapes.

Trump v. Vance

Held President isn't immune from state criminal subpoenas.

Nixon v. Fitzgerald

Granted absolute immunity to President for official acts.

Clinton v. Jones

Allowed civil lawsuits against sitting President for unofficial acts.

Ex parte Grossman

Upheld President's pardon power for criminal contempt of court.

Murphy v. Ford

Upheld President Ford's pardon of Nixon.

Mistretta v. United States

Upheld constitutionality of U.S. Sentencing Commission.

Gundy v. United States

Addressed nondelegation doctrine, upholding broad congressional delegation.

Immigration and Naturalization Service v. Chadha

Struck down legislative veto as unconstitutional.

Bowsher v. Synar

Ruled Comptroller General can't exercise executive powers.

The Prize Cases

Upheld President's power to impose naval blockade without Congressional declaration of war.

Ex parte Milligan

Limited military tribunal jurisdiction over civilians when civilian courts function.

Korematsu v. United States

Upheld Japanese-American internment during WWII (later overruled).

Youngstown Sheet & Tube Company v. Sawyer

Limited President's power to seize private property without Congressional authorization.

Dames & Moore v. Regan

Upheld President's authority to nullify attachments and transfer Iranian assets.

Zivotofsky v. Kerry

Affirmed President's exclusive power to recognize foreign sovereigns.

Hamdi v. Rumsfeld

Held U.S. citizens designated as enemy combatants have due process rights.