Mike Pence made a surprise visit to Ukraine last week to signal his commitment to a more traditional foreign policy, and voiced his support for the Supreme Court's ruling in the 303 Creative v. Elenis case, which protects a designer from creating speech that she does not believe. His visit and support of the ruling are seen as important markers for his potential 2024 presidential campaign, and draw a sharp contrast between him and former President Donald Trump's more isolationist direction.
Posts tagged as “the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment”
The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in favor of a Colorado graphic artist, granting her the right to refuse service to same-sex couples due to her religious beliefs. The ruling expands the rights of those who want to discriminate against same-sex couples and is a major victory for religious freedom. Dueling protestors outside the court argued the First Amendment protects the artist's right to express her religious beliefs, while opponents argued it does not protect discrimination.
The Supreme Court ruled in favor of an evangelical Christian web designer from Colorado, allowing her to refuse to work on same-sex weddings due to her free speech rights under the First Amendment. This ruling could allow other business owners to evade punishment under laws in 29 states that protect LGBTQ rights in public accommodations. The case began in 2012 when Smith refused to design a website for a same-sex couple’s wedding, arguing that the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act violated her First Amendment rights.
The Supreme Court has ruled in favor of Billy Counterman, who was convicted of making "true threats" to a local musician on Facebook. The court raised the bar for establishing when a statement is a "true threat" not protected by the First Amendment, making it more difficult for prosecutors to prove that a statement is a true threat. The ruling is seen as a victory for free speech advocates, and is expected to have a major impact on how prosecutors handle cases involving threats made on social media.
Pat Robertson, a religious broadcaster and founder of The Christian Broadcasting Network, passed away Thursday at the age of 93. He was a former Southern Baptist minister and founded CBN in 1960, making it the first television network dedicated to Christian broadcasting in the U.S. Robertson was a prominent figure in conservative Christian political and entertainment circles, and had a lasting impact on the movement through his contributions to the Christian faith and his Christian Coalition. He also founded Regent University, the American Center for Law and Justice, and Operation Blessing.
The Supreme Court will hear a case involving the trademark of the phrase "Trump Too Small" on t-shirts and hats, which is a double entendre referring to a joke made by Senator Marco Rubio during the 2016 Republican presidential primary debate. The case, Vidal v. Elster, will decide whether California lawyer Steve Elster can register the trademark, and could have far-reaching implications for the First Amendment if the Supreme Court rules in favor of Elster. The Supreme Court has not yet set a date for the hearing.
A federal judge has ruled that Tennessee's law restricting drag performances in public or where children were present is unconstitutional, striking a blow to efforts in U.S. states to regulate LGBTQ conduct. U.S. District Judge Thomas Parker noted that the First Amendment to the Constitution commands that laws infringing on freedom of speech must be narrow and well defined. This ruling is a victory for LGBTQ rights activists and a reminder of the importance of the First Amendment in protecting freedom of speech, though it is likely to be appealed.
Hamburger Mary's, a popular Florida burger joint, is challenging a new law signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in federal court that restricts drag show performances and subjects businesses in violation of the law to liquor license revocation and hefty fines. The lawsuit alleges that the law violates the First Amendment rights of Hamburger Mary's to free expression, and the restaurant is asking the court to halt enforcement of the law until the case is resolved.