Trump just threatened to delay the 2020 census
Once again, President Trump wants to do what probably can't be done.
On Thursday, the Supreme Court handed down a 5-4 decision to block the addition of a question of citizenship to the 2020 census. And seeing as Trump's administration had introduced the question in the first place, he certainly was not happy.
In a series of tweets sent once he touched down in Japan, Trump criticized the court's decision said he asked "the lawyers if they can delay the Census" until the justices can make a "decisive decision" on the matter. Seeing as the Census is constitutionally mandated every 10 years, that's probably not something these unnamed lawyers can do.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Trump's Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross announced the question's addition last year, sparking ongoing court battles over its inclusion. Critics said the question would depress Census participation by undocumented immigrants and decrease representation in traditionally Democratic areas — something a GOP operative also found in his research and reportedly shared with the Trump administration. Chief Justice John Roberts sided with liberal justices in Thursday's decision, writing a majority opinion in which he declared that the Trump administration's defense for adding the question "seems to have been contrived."
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Kathryn is a graduate of Syracuse University, with degrees in magazine journalism and information technology, along with hours to earn another degree after working at SU's independent paper The Daily Orange. She's currently recovering from a horse addiction while living in New York City, and likes to share her extremely dry sense of humor on Twitter.
-
Political cartoons for October 28Cartoons Tuesday's political cartoons include a bailout for Argentina, a frog prince, and Epstein distractions
-
The best adventure holidays for adrenaline junkiesThe Week Recommends Five destinations perfect for outdoor thrill-seekers
-
Crossword: October 28, 2025The Week's daily crossword
-
Trump vows new tariffs on Canada over Reagan adspeed read The ad that offended the president has Ronald Reagan explaining why import taxes hurt the economy
-
NY attorney general asks public for ICE raid footageSpeed Read Rep. Dan Goldman claims ICE wrongly detained four US citizens in the Canal Street raid and held them for a whole day without charges
-
Trump’s huge ballroom to replace razed East WingSpeed Read The White House’s east wing is being torn down amid ballroom construction
-
Trump expands boat strikes to Pacific, killing 5 moreSpeed Read The US military destroyed two more alleged drug smuggling boats in international waters
-
Trump demands millions from his administrationSpeed Read The president has requested $230 million in compensation from the Justice Department for previous federal investigations
-
Trump nominee in limbo after racist texts leakSpeed Read Paul Ingrassia lost Republican support following the exposure of past racist text messages
-
Trump begins East Wing demolition for ballroomspeed read The president’s new construction will cost $250 million
-
Appeals court clears Trump’s Portland troop deploymentSpeed Read A divided federal appeals court ruled that President Trump can send the National Guard to Portland
