The United States Supreme Court has declined to hear a case brought by Steve Wynn, which sought to challenge the 1964 New York Times v. Sullivan decision that requires public figures to prove "actual malice" in defamation lawsuits. Wynn's case aimed to lower the threshold for public figures to pursue defamation claims, potentially altering media law, but the court's decision leaves the existing standard intact. This decision highlights the ongoing influence of the Sullivan ruling in protecting news organizations under the First Amendment, despite some calls to revisit the precedent.
Posts tagged as “the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment”
In 2019, Colorado enacted a law prohibiting licensed mental health professionals from practicing conversion therapy on minors, in response to concerns about its negative impact on mental health. The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a challenge to this law, brought by a Christian therapist who claims it infringes on her First Amendment rights. The case has significant implications for similar bans across more than 20 states, as it addresses the balance between protecting minors' mental health and upholding free speech and religious rights.
A federal judge in Iowa has issued a preliminary injunction to temporarily block key parts of a law banning books from school libraries and forbidding teachers from raising LGBTQ+ issues. The injunction was issued in response to a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa, arguing that the law was unconstitutional and violated the First Amendment. The injunction will remain in effect until the court can hear the case in full, with the ACLU of Iowa optimistic that the law will ultimately be struck down.
Key takeaways: The Supreme Court rejected a First Amendment challenge to a Washington state law that bars licensed health professionals from practicing conversion therapy on…
Former President Donald Trump has asked a federal appeals court to lift a gag order that restricts his speech about potential witnesses, prosecutors, and court staff in the case that accuses him of scheming to overturn his 2020 election loss. Trump's attorneys have argued that the gag order is overly broad and unconstitutional, and have asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit to block the gag order ruling while they pursue appeals. If the court denies the request, Trump's attorneys have said they will appeal to the Supreme Court.
The Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) is a conservative Christian legal organization that has been at the forefront of many legal battles related to reproductive rights and the LGBTQ community. Their involvement has been met with criticism, especially due to House Speaker Mike Johnson's past comments comparing the judicial philosophy that legalized the right to an abortion to Hitler's. The ADF has also been involved in the Terri Schiavo case, representing the Schiavo family in their legal battle.
Donald Trump is challenging the federal criminal charges brought against him in connection with the 2020 presidential election, claiming in court filings that his actions are protected by the First Amendment and that he cannot be tried again after being acquitted by the Senate in his impeachment trial. His defense team argued that the prosecution is politically motivated and asked the federal judge to dismiss the charges. The judge has yet to issue a ruling on the matter.
The small town of Marion, Kansas was thrust into the national spotlight this week after the police chief of the town, Gideon Cody, was suspended following a highly criticized raid of a local newspaper. In response to the raid, Marion Mayor David Mayfield suspended Cody on Thursday, and Cody resigned Monday. The raid had a tragic consequence, as the Record co-owner Joan Meyer, 98, died of stress caused by the incident the day after the raid. The raid of the Marion County Record has sparked a national debate about the press protections offered by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.