Supreme Court takes up the home distilling ban and a Maryland school admissions case, and rejects a 9/11 plea appeal
CBS News and The Hill reported the Supreme Court agreed on Oct. 19 to review the federal home distilling ban. Reuters said the law dates to 1868. NBC News described a split between the Fifth and Sixth Circuits. The New York Times and NBC News reported the court will hear a race case over Maryland selective middle school admissions. NBC News, CBS News and The Guardian reported the court rejected Khalid Sheikh Mohammed's bid to revive his plea deal. Axios said the Guantánamo prosecution goes on. The New York Times said the court gave no explanation.
The distilling case tests how far Congress's taxing power reaches into what people do at home. The school case could decide whether race-neutral admissions designed to increase diversity are lawful after the 2023 ruling. The 9/11 order keeps the death penalty on the table.
Home distilling remains a federal crime until the court rules. Parents in districts with magnet or gifted programs may see admissions rules change depending on the outcome. Families of 9/11 victims face more delay.
Distillers and their lawyers argue the 1868 ban exceeds Congress's power and punishes a hobby that harms no one. Challengers in the Maryland case say the policy uses proxies for race and discriminates.
The government says the ban protects tax collection on liquor. The school district says its policy is race-neutral. On the 9/11 case, some families wanted the plea deals to bring an end, while others wanted a trial.
Confirmed: two new cases accepted and the 9/11 appeal denied. Not confirmed: argument dates. Watch for the court's calendar for the winter sitting.
DailyDrop U.S. No. 16 · October 20, 2026