Supreme Court Hints It Will Move Cautiously in Trump Census Clash

  • Justices question impact on awarding of congressional seats
  • Trump administration racing to finish before Biden is sworn in
President Donald Trump during a videoconference at the White House on Nov. 26.

Photographer: Erin Schaff/The New York Times/Bloomberg

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The U.S. Supreme Court seemed inclined to take a wait-and-see approach toward President Donald Trump’s push to exclude undocumented immigrants from the census, as several justices suggested it’s too soon to consider striking down the policy.

In an 80-minute telephone argument session, the justices signaled they will move cautiously in a case that could affect the allocation of congressional seats and federal dollars. The administration is in a race to finish the count, and submit the report to Congress, before Joe Biden takes over the presidency on Jan. 20.