Politics
Editorial: Political Cartoons About The Federal Courts
By CM Chaney · September 16, 2026
Editorial cartoonists chronicle Trump's war on the federal courts — 202 immigration judges fired, military lawyers as temp replacements, and a Supreme Court caught between loyalty and the Constitution.
Chief Justice Roberts Delivers Rebuke to Trump Over Judge Attacks
Chief Justice John Roberts appears in a black robe holding a large gavel while President Donald Trump clutches a paper labeled attack on judges and looks dazed with stars circling his head. A speech bubble from Roberts reads a slight rebuke. Cagle Cartoons
Roberts Court Cartoon Depicts Racism Freed From Chains
Pat Bagley cartoon shows Supreme Court justice labeled Roberts Court using a key to unlock chains labeled racism. A large hooded figure breaks free with arms raised while text quotes free at last. Cagle Cartoons
Federal Courts Issue Louisiana Redistricting Ruling Affecting Black Representation
A federal court ruling on Louisiana redistricting has reduced black congressional representation across southern states. The decision follows ongoing litigation over district maps and voting access. It matters because it alters the number of majority-minority seats available in Congress. Cagle Cartoons
Chief Justice Roberts Rebuffs Senate Ethics Questions
The cartoon shows the Supreme Court building transformed into a stone castle. Chief Justice John Roberts, wearing a knight's helmet, emerges from the battlements to deliver a defiant message in a speech bubble. Other justices including Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch appear partially visible behind the walls. Cagle Cartoons
SCOTUS Gavel Smashes Election Day on November Calendar
A large wooden gavel labeled SCOTUS rests on a November calendar page, its head crushing the words Election Day in a red splatter resembling blood. The calendar shows days of the week and dates with scattered debris and broken pieces around the impact site. Cagle Cartoons
Shulkin Out as VA Secretary Amid Trump Firings
The cartoon depicts former Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin seated at the West Wing Bar & Grill next to his replacement. A banner declares Shulkin out. The caption notes the sting of exclusion from Trump's dismissal list. It responds to the March 2018 firing of Shulkin and rapid turnover in the administration. Cagle Cartoons
Roberts Court Cartoon Contrasts Traditional Wig With Horned MAGA Look
The March 2024 cartoon by Adam Zyglis splits Chief Justice John Roberts into two versions. One wears the traditional white wig and black robe while holding a gavel marked SCOTUS RULE. The other sports horns, fur hair and earrings with a gavel labeled ROBERTS COURT under the banner Oppressive Judicial Headgear. Cagle Cartoons
Justice Alito Blames Media for Supreme Court Trust Issues in Mirror Reflection
The cartoon shows Justice Samuel Alito standing before a full-length mirror that reflects him upside down, with his yellow shoes at the top and head at the bottom. Alito's speech bubble declares that the media, not he, bears responsibility for Americans losing trust in the Supreme Court. Cagle Cartoons
SCOTUS TPS Ruling Pierces Haitian Protections in Trump-Era Challenge
A political cartoon from June 27, 2026, shows a figure representing Haitians as a voodoo doll pierced by a pin labeled SCOTUS TPS Ruling. The image responds to a Supreme Court decision affecting temporary protected status for Haitian nationals. The title references Trump voodoo, suggesting administration pressure on the court outcome. Cagle Cartoons
Trump as Baby Confronts Birthright Citizenship Gavel in 2026 Cartoon
On June 30, 2026, Jeff Koterba depicts a diapered baby Donald Trump seated on a wooden base, recoiling as a muscular figure wearing a diaper labeled BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP swings a massive gavel downward. The infant clutches a small gavel amid motion lines and impact marks. Cagle Cartoons
Statue of Liberty Sighs After Supreme Court Rejects Asylum Seekers
The cartoon depicts the Statue of Liberty seated on the ground beside a large sign displaying a map of the United States marked with a yellow "YOU ARE HERE" label and an American flag design. The figure holds a document reading "SUPREME COURT REJECTS ASYLUM SEEKERS" and exhales a visible sigh in a speech bubble. Cagle Cartoons
Supreme Court birthright citizenship preview shows slain Uncle Sam
A political cartoon dated July 4, 2026, previews a Supreme Court decision on birthright citizenship. The image shows the figure of Uncle Sam slumped dead on a living room couch with a gunshot wound to the head and blood on the wall. A television in the foreground carries a news teaser about the ruling and its implications for America's future. Cagle Cartoons
Cartoon Shows Trump Influence Over Supreme Court Justices After Immunity Ruling
The cartoon by Peter Kuper, published July 22, 2024, shows three Supreme Court justices seated at a bench holding gavels. The leftmost justice has eyes closed as a hand extends from a device labeled 45 and points directly at him. The other two justices also appear with eyes closed. Cagle Cartoons
Judge Dugan Cartoon Mocks Courtroom Aid to Illegal Immigrants
The April 29 2025 cartoon by Gary McCoy shows Milwaukee Judge Hannah Dugan in an orange jumpsuit behind a barrier speaking on a red phone. A suited man on another phone offers assistance while a police officer stands nearby. The judge requests an illegal immigrant to smuggle her a file. Cagle Cartoons
SCOTUS ICE Ruling
SCOTUS ICE Ruling Cagle Cartoons
Tariffs Truck Flips Off Courts Road in New Ruling
A blue pickup truck labeled tariffs flies off a paved road marked courts in this September 2025 cartoon. The vehicle is inverted with wheels up and a red strap trailing. Dust and debris scatter as the truck leaves the surface. The image responds to a recent court ruling on tariffs affecting small businesses and the broader economy. Cagle Cartoons
Supreme Court Frieze Now Reads Whatever Republicans Want
The cartoon depicts the U.S. Supreme Court building with its famous frieze inscription altered from Equal Justice Under Law to Or Whatever the Republicans Want Us to Do. This visual responds to recent rulings including the Alabama voting map decision that permitted GOP-drawn districts accused of diluting Black voter power. Cagle Cartoons
Vance Questions How Administration Can Advance If Judges Keep Intervening
The image shows JD Vance confronting a judge at the United States Judiciary bench. Vance points angrily while asking how the administration can be authoritarian fascists if judges keep stopping its actions. The scene captures ongoing friction between the executive branch and judicial review in early 2025. Cagle Cartoons
Courts Gavel Cracks White House as Judiciary Challenges Mount
The cartoon depicts a large gavel labeled COURTS slamming into the White House, creating visible cracks in the structure. A hand grips the gavel from the right while a speech bubble from the left urges ignoring the action as the work of crooked radical leftists. Cagle Cartoons
Chief Justice Roberts delivers pointed response to Trump judicial criticism
The image depicts Chief Justice John Roberts raising a gavel toward Donald Trump, who clutches a paper labeled attack on judges while appearing stunned. A speech bubble from Roberts reads a slight rebuke. The scene addresses recent friction between the executive branch and the judiciary. Cagle Cartoons
Courts Bash Trump Repost
Courts Bash Trump Repost Cagle Cartoons
Disappeared Justice
Disappeared Justice Cagle Cartoons
SCOTUS Delivers Sharp Rebuke to Trump Over Trade Authority
On February 22, 2026, a political cartoon depicts Chief Justice John Roberts striking Donald Trump with a gavel. The image references a recent 6-3 Supreme Court ruling limiting presidential trade powers under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act amid multiple lawsuits. Cagle Cartoons
Donkey Judge Declares Trump Not Commander-in-Chief
The cartoon shows a donkey dressed in judicial robes seated at a bench labeled The Judge Is In. The figure holds a gavel and a martini while declaring in a speech bubble that Trump is not the commander-in-chief. Uncle Sam stands outside the window observing the outburst. Cagle Cartoons
Roberts Court Elephant Tramples Voting Rights Act
The cartoon depicts the Roberts Court as a Republican elephant trampling the Voting Rights Act ahead of the 2026 elections. Multiple justices ride atop the animal as it carries a GOP 2026 flag. Cagle Cartoons
Supreme Court ruling allows Trump to end TPS protections for Haiti and Syria
The cartoon shows Donald Trump rendered as a submarine firing torpedoes while underwater. Speech bubbles reference ending TPS protections for Haiti and Syria. A second figure responds with Aye Aye, Dr. Evil. Cagle Cartoons
Supreme Court justices carry ethics casket with Ginni Thomas reclining atop
The cartoon published May 9 2023 shows Supreme Court justices Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch and Chief Justice John Roberts carrying a purple casket labeled ethics. Ginni Thomas reclines on the lid wearing a horned hat marked with a Q and holding a fan. Cagle Cartoons