Trade Act of 1974

1) Link to the Text of the Act
Read the statute (19 U.S.C. § 2101 et seq.)

2) Why It Was Done
The Trade Act of 1974 was enacted to give the President fast-track authority to negotiate trade agreements, expand global commerce, and create mechanisms to deal with unfair foreign trade practices.

3) Pre-existing Law or Constitutional Rights
Prior trade laws gave presidents tariff authority, but this Act was the first to create fast-track procedures that limited Congress to an up-or-down vote on trade deals.

Trump v. Hawaii (2018)

1) Link to the Actual Opinion
Read the Supreme Court opinion (PDF)

2) Summary of the Opinion
President Trump issued a proclamation restricting entry into the U.S. from several predominantly Muslim countries. Opponents argued it violated the Establishment Clause by targeting Muslims. The Supreme Court upheld the travel ban 5–4, ruling it was within the President’s authority over immigration and national security. In doing so, the Court explicitly disavowed Korematsu v. United States (1944) as wrongly decided.

Trump v. United States (2024)

1) Link to the Actual Opinion
Read the Supreme Court opinion (PDF)

2) Summary of the Opinion
The case asked whether a former President is immune from federal criminal prosecution for actions taken while in office. The Supreme Court held that a President has absolute immunity from prosecution for core constitutional powers, presumptive immunity for official acts, and no immunity for unofficial acts. The Court remanded the case to determine which of Trump’s alleged actions fell into each category.