An Originalist Analysis of United States v. Skrmetti
An Originalist Analysis of United States v. Skrmetti Balancing Constitutional Text and State Authority Introduction On June 18, 2025, the Supreme Court, in a 6-3 decision in United States v. Skrmetti, upheld Tennessee’s Senate Bill 1 (SB1), which bans gender-affirming medical treatments, such as puberty blockers and hormones, for minors with gender dysphoria. The majority opinion, authored by Chief Justice John Roberts, applied rational basis review, finding the law constitutional under the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment by classifying based on age and medical purpose, not sex or transgender status. Concurring opinions by Justices Thomas, Barrett, and Alito, and…