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By Gabe Whisnant
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Chief Justice John Roberts recused himself from two decisions as the Supreme Court issued its January 12 order list Monday, which included certiorari grants, denials and procedural rulings.
Roberts did not participate in Alaska v. United States, a dispute over state and federal authority involving land and resource rights, and in Bochra v. U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, which concerned a rehearing petition tied to a lower court proceeding. The Court did not explain the recusals, which typically occur when a justice has prior involvement in a case.
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Why It Matters
Roberts rarely recuses himself, so sitting out two decisions signals potential conflicts or concerns about impartiality. His absence could influence outcomes on closely divided cases
What To Know
The Supreme Court declined to review Lujan Claimants v. Boy Scouts of America, leaving intact a $2.4 billion bankruptcy settlement that shields local councils and third-party groups from future lawsuits by childhood sex-abuse victims. The decision rejects an appeal from 75 claimants who argued the deal unlawfully blocked suits against organizations that supported scouting programs, citing last year’s Purdue Pharma ruling.
The Boy Scouts filed for bankruptcy in 2020 after hundreds of abuse lawsuits, and a Delaware court approved the reorganization plan in 2022, creating a compensation fund for more than 82,000 victims. Lower courts upheld the settlement, and the Supreme Court offered no explanation for its refusal, which effectively ends the challenge.
In other notable actions, the Court granted certiorari in two related cases — Full Play Group, S.A. v. United States and Lopez v. United States — both stemming from a sprawling FIFA corruption probe. The justices vacated judgments and sent the cases back to the Second Circuit for further review in light of a pending motion to dismiss the indictment, signaling potential shifts in how foreign bribery laws apply to sports executives.
In Zielinski v. United States, the Court granted review and remanded to the Eighth Circuit after the Solicitor General urged reconsideration. That case involves questions about sentencing enhancements and procedural fairness.
The order list also denied dozens of petitions, including high-profile business disputes and criminal appeals, and rejected multiple requests for stays and injunctions. Writs of mandamus and rehearing petitions were turned down across a range of civil and criminal matters. In one maritime case, Havana Docks Corp. v. Royal Caribbean Cruises, the Solicitor General was granted time for divided argument, underscoring the government’s interest in litigation tied to Cuba sanctions.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday is hearing arguments in two cases challenging state bans on transgender athletes, weighing whether the restrictions violate the Constitution or Title IX, the federal law barring sex discrimination in education.
What Happens Next
The Court’s next scheduled conference is later this month, as justices continue to shape a docket that includes major cases on administrative power, social media regulation and immigration.
Updates: 1/12/26, 2:04 p.m. ET: This article was updated with new information and remarks.
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