The US Supreme Court opens its new term under the shadow of a presidential election that threatens to create fresh strains at a court already deeply enmeshed in the nation’s political divisions.

The justices will consider the constitutionality of state laws banning gender-affirming care for minors for the first time.

After a blockbuster previous term and action on a variety of cases during the summer on an emergency basis, the court is due to open its annual term, as is customary, on the first Monday of October. Arguments are set for two cases.