{"argument_date":"2011-11-07T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2011-11-07T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2011","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-699.pdf","paragraphs":["the side that brought the case's counsel cited prior cases supporting a tripartite scheme of powers.","the opposing side's counsel argued the executive's recognition power is exclusive under the Constitution.","Justices questioned whether the side that brought the case's view limits the President's future flexibility."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 5-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-699.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 5-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-699.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 43-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-699.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 43-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-699.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 13-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-699.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 13-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-699.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 17-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 41-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-699.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 41-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 15-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-699.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 15-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 29-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-699.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 29-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 37-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-699.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 37-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 45-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-699.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 45-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 9-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-699.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 9-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 27-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-699.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 27-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 35-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-699.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 35-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 9-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-699.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 9-23"}]}],"caption":"Zivotofsky v. Clinton","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:24.834015Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"A citizen wants the State Department to list Israel as his birthplace. The President refuses, claiming exclusive control over foreign recognition.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 5-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-699.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 5-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-699.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-41"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2011-11-07T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2011","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/10-699.html","primary_docket":"10-699","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T23:41:34.899692Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":1},{"correction_note":"Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.","created_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":2}],"schema_version":"1.1","sections":[{"heading":"What this case is about","paragraphs":["This case tests the balance of power between Congress and the President on foreign policy. the side that brought the case argues Congress can mandate passport entries. the opposing side argues the President alone controls recognition."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 5-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-699.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 5-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-699.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-41"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on November 7, 2011."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-699.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["the side that brought the case wants the court to order the State Department to list Israel as the birthplace on his passport.","the opposing side wants the court to uphold the President's refusal to list Israel as the birthplace."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 5-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-699.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 5-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-699.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-41"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["the side that brought the case argues Congress holds shared power over foreign relations and can override executive judgment.","the opposing side argues the President holds exclusive constitutional power to recognize foreign states."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 5-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-699.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 5-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-699.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-41"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Justice Kennedy asked if any foreign relations determinations remain exclusively for the President under the side that brought the case's theory.","Justice Ginsburg asked why Congress trumps the executive if foreign relations is a shared power."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 43-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-699.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 43-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 13-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-699.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 13-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-699.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 17-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 41-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-699.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 41-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 15-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-699.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 15-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 29-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-699.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 29-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 37-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-699.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 37-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 45-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-699.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 45-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 9-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-699.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 9-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 27-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-699.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 27-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 35-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-699.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 35-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 9-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-699.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 9-23"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["This dispute defines who controls the United States' official stance on Jerusalem's status. It shapes how the government handles similar diplomatic conflicts in the future."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 5-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-699.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 5-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-699.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-41"}]},{"heading":"What happens next","paragraphs":["This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 43-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-699.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 43-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-699.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 13-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-699.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 13-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-699.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 17-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 41-49","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-699.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 41-49"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 15-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-699.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 15-23"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 29-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-699.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 29-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 37-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-699.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 37-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 45-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-699.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 45-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 9-15","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-699.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 9-15"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 27-29","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-699.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 27-29"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 35-39","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-699.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 35-39"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 9-23","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-699.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 9-23"}]}],"slug":"2011-10-699-zivotofsky-v-clinton","term":"2011","title":"Can Congress force the President to list Israel as a birthplace on passports?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 5-25","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-699.pdf","page_label":"file page 24, lines 5-25"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-699.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-41"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}