July 1, 2026 · Barbara lands, Doha doesn't, Donahue tomorrow

The Supreme Court ended its term Tuesday with two 6-3 rulings. In *Trump v. Barbara*, the Court struck down Executive Order 14160 and reaffirmed birthright citizenship under the Fourteenth Amendment's Citizenship Clause — Chief Justice John Roberts writing for a majority that included Justices Sotomayor, Kagan, Barrett, and Jackson. Justice Kavanaugh concurred in the judgment alone under 8 U.S.C. § 1401(a); Justices Thomas and Gorsuch dissented in a 91-page opinion, with Justice Alito writing separately. In *West Virginia v. B.P.J.* and *Little v. Hecox*, the Court upheld state laws banning transgender girls from women's and girls' school sports — Justice Kavanaugh writing for the majority, holding that Title IX and the Equal Protection Clause permit eligibility based on biological sex. In Doha, US envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met the Qatari Prime Minister but not any Iranian counterpart; Iran continued to deny that formal talks were scheduled; delegations from both countries are expected Wednesday to participate separately in technical talks with mediators from Qatar and Pakistan. FISA Section 702 is now in its twentieth day of lapse — no procedural breakthrough since Friday's Wyden blocks. Thursday General Christopher Donahue relinquishes command of US Army Europe and Africa at Wiesbaden; Major General Christopher Norrie assumes command; the command is being downgraded from four-star to three-star under Defense Secretary Hegseth's senior-ranks overhaul. Two special editions previewed for later this week. - **Barbara lands** — SCOTUS 6-3, Roberts writing, strikes down Trump EO 14160 and reaffirms 14th Amendment birthright citizenship. Kavanaugh concurs in judgment under statute alone; Thomas + Gorsuch dissent 91 pages; Alito separately. Seventeen months of executive-order-driven state agency inconsistency in birth-certificate registrations formally ends. - **Trans sports upheld** — SCOTUS 6-3, Kavanaugh writing, *West Virginia v. B.P.J.* and *Little v. Hecox* uphold state laws banning transgender girls from women's and girls' school sports under Title IX and the Equal Protection Clause. - **Doha didn't happen the way Trump said it would** — Witkoff + Kushner met Qatari PM only; no Iranian counterpart present; Iran continues to deny formal talks scheduled. Delegations expected separately Wednesday for technical talks with Qatar and Pakistan mediators. - **FISA day twenty** — Wyden blocks continue; no procedural breakthrough since Friday. Classified surveillance court opinion still not declassified — the April 30 Cotton-Warner-Wyden deal's 15-day declassification window expired mid-May unfulfilled. - **Donahue Thursday** — Command relinquishment at Wiesbaden Germany HQ. Maj Gen Christopher Norrie assumes duties. Command downgrades four-star to three-star under Hegseth overhaul. - **Coming this week** — Two special editions in production: a full SCOTUS session review, and a survey of wild reforms recommended at the state and federal level since Trump took office. More analysis at [Power Moves Before Policy Does](https://annardudley.substack.com).