First Amendment
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news24.comLegal Scholar Discusses Hate Speech Protections at Public Schools
A law professor argues that hate speech remains constitutionally protected at U.S. public schools and that campus speech codes risk viewpoint discrimination. The post reviews court precedents and warns that vague definitions could chill protected expression.
dailycaller.comSupreme Court Rules 8-1 on Colorado Conversion Therapy Law
The U.S. Supreme Court issued an 8-1 decision in Chiles v. Salazar concerning a Colorado statute on conversion therapy. The ruling addressed whether the state law regulating the practice violates constitutional protections.
thecanary.coIndividuals Fired Over Social Media Posts About Charlie Kirk Win Settlements
Several people terminated after posting criticism of Charlie Kirk following his death have received more than $2.2 million through First Amendment settlements this year. Additional cases are pending in multiple states.
news.ycombinator.comNinth Circuit Panel Says First Amendment Likely Bars Viewpoint-Based Grant Cancellations
A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled that the Trump administration's termination of academic grants based on recipients' perceived DEI or environmental justice viewpoints likely violates the First Amendment. The decision in Thakur v. Trump…
The GuardianTennessee Officials Pay $835,000 Settlement Over Man Jailed for Facebook Post
Tennessee officials agreed to pay $835,000 to settle a lawsuit filed by a man who spent 37 days in jail after posting a meme about Charlie Kirk's assassination. The case drew attention because online comments about Kirk's death rarely led to criminal charges.
Ars TechnicaTennessee Officials Pay $835,000 to Settle Lawsuit Over Facebook Meme Arrest
Tennessee officials agreed to pay $835,000 to settle a federal lawsuit filed by retired police officer Larry Bushart, who spent 37 days in jail after posting a meme referencing a school shooting. The settlement ends claims that Perry County and its sheriff violated Bushart's Firs…
deccanchronicle.comFederal Judge Rejects First Amendment Claims by Makers of 'Most Wanted CEOs' Cards
A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit alleging that New York City police officials retaliated against the creators of a deck of playing cards featuring corporate executives. The court found the plaintiffs' speech was protected but ruled the claims against the police commissioner di…
citizen.co.zaCourt Dismisses Claims Over Secret Recording by Media Group
A federal judge ruled that a conservative media organization's use of false identities and secret recordings during a 2024 operation did not violate federal wiretap law or support related tort claims. The plaintiff, a security consultant with top secret clearance, alleged profess…
thehindu.comU.S. Judge Temporarily Blocks Sanctions on U.N. Rapporteur Francesca Albanese
A federal judge ruled Wednesday that the Trump administration's 2025 sanctions on Francesca Albanese violated the First Amendment by punishing her speech. The decision halts enforcement against Albanese and her husband, whose property and U.S. connections were targeted.
martechseries.comX Objects to Unmasking Anonymous Users in Tate Brothers' Defamation Lawsuit
X filed a response on May 11, 2026, arguing that a Florida lawsuit by Andrew and Tristan Tate fails to meet First Amendment standards required to unmask anonymous users. The social media platform cited long-standing Supreme Court protections for anonymous internet speech. The cas…
news.sky.comCourt Denies Discovery Request in Trump Defamation Suit Against Wall Street Journal
A federal court in Florida on Wednesday denied President Trump's request to conduct limited discovery into allegations of actual malice in his defamation lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal. The suit concerns a Journal article that linked Trump to Jeffrey Epstein through a bi…
theconservativetreehouse.comFederal Judge Temporarily Blocks Trump Administration Sanctions on UN Official Francesca Albanese
U.S. District Judge Richard J. Leon ruled that the Trump administration cannot impose sanctions on Francesca Albanese, the United Nations special rapporteur on the Palestinian territories. The July 2025 sanctions followed her accusations of Israeli war crimes in Gaza and recommen…
Al JazeeraFederal Judge Blocks U.S. Sanctions on U.N. Expert
A federal judge ruled that the State Department violated the First Amendment rights of Francesca Albanese by imposing sanctions after she urged war crimes prosecutions related to Israel's war in Gaza. The temporary block halts measures that froze her U.S. assets and barred her en…
yahoo.comLawsuit Claims Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins' Holiday Emails Violated Establishment Clause
The National Federation of Federal Employees and seven USDA workers filed suit in California on May 13, 2026, alleging that Secretary Brooke Rollins violated the Establishment Clause through holiday emails invoking Christian themes. The complaint details specific Thanksgiving, Ch…
ABC NewsFederal Employees Sue USDA Over Christian Proselytizing in Official Emails
A federal employees union and several USDA workers filed suit on May 13 accusing the agriculture secretary of sending proselytizing Christian messages to the entire workforce in violation of the First Amendment. The complaint cites holiday emails referencing Jesus Christ, the res…
Usa TodayWall Street Journal Subpoenaed in Probe of Leaks About Iran Military Plans
The subpoenas, dated March 4, seek records related to a February article detailing Pentagon warnings to President Trump before Operation Epic Fury. Press freedom groups condemned the action on May 12, citing risks to newsgathering during wartime. The development follows earlier a…
newser.comJustice Department Settles Lawsuit Over Biden Administration Social Media Censorship
The Justice Department reached a settlement in a lawsuit that accused the Biden administration of coercing Twitter to suppress speech by an American citizen. The resolution ends litigation that claimed the actions violated the First Amendment.
Substrate placeholder — needs reviewTrump Administration Settles Lawsuit With Alex Berenson Over Alleged White House Violations
The Trump administration has settled a lawsuit filed by writer Alex Berenson against actions taken by the former Biden White House. The settlement includes an admission of constitutional violations. Berenson said the focus should now shift to Pfizer's involvement in events from 2…
foxnews.comLawsuit Against University of Washington Social Work School Over Student Essay Can Proceed
A federal judge ruled that a student's First Amendment and breach of contract claims against the University of Washington Tacoma can go to a jury. The student alleged that a professor initiated a professional standards review after disagreeing with the student's views on women's…
ReasonABC Challenges FCC Order on The View's Equal Time Exemption
ABC filed a petition with the FCC on Friday arguing that an order related to its program The View threatens First Amendment protections. The filing contends that revoking the show's longstanding bona fide news interview exemption would violate settled law and chill protected spee…
Fox NewsHegseth Refers Sen. Mark Kelly’s Comments on Depleted Munitions Stockpiles to Pentagon Legal Review
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth accused Sen. Mark Kelly of discussing classified information on Face the Nation and said Pentagon legal counsel will review the matter. Kelly responded that the details were not classified and had been stated publicly by Hegseth a week earlier.
ReasonAppeals Court Hears Arguments on Pentagon Authority to Punish Retired Senator Over Speech
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is seeking to overturn a preliminary injunction that bars him from disciplining Sen. Mark Kelly, a retired Navy captain, for public statements on military obedience to lawful orders. During oral arguments, two of three D.C. Circuit judges expressed…
Fox NewsLegal Experts Say DOJ Has Evidence in Comey Indictment
Former Democratic U.S. Attorney John Fishwick said it is too early to conclude that the indictment of former FBI Director James Comey will not succeed. The case, filed last month in North Carolina, centers on an Instagram post featuring seashells arranged as "8647." Officials sta…
washingtonpost.comScholar Examines First Amendment Coverage of Algorithmic Content Moderation
A forthcoming article reviews the Supreme Court's Moody v. NetChoice ruling that algorithmic editing by social media platforms constitutes speech protected by the First Amendment. The author discusses proposed responses to the decision, including treating platforms as state actor…
New York PostSupreme Court to Hear Case on Colorado's Exclusion of Catholic Schools from Preschool Program
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to review a case challenging Colorado's policy that excludes Catholic schools from its universal preschool program unless they alter faith-based admissions practices. The state requires participating schools to not limit admissions based on suppo…
foxnews.comJames Comey Charged Over Instagram Post Showing Seashells
A federal grand jury indicted former FBI Director James Comey on charges related to an Instagram post showing seashells arranged as '86 47,' alleged to threaten President Trump. Legal experts question the case's strength under First Amendment protections. This marks the second Ju…
cnbc.comFCC Begins Early Review of ABC Broadcast Licenses in Disney Probe
The Federal Communications Commission has ordered an early review of broadcast licenses for ABC television stations owned by Disney. This action follows an ongoing probe into the company's diversity, equity, and inclusion practices. Legal experts indicate that revoking or denying…
Substrate placeholder — needs reviewFormer FBI Director James Comey Indicted on Charges Related to 2025 Instagram Post
Former FBI Director James Comey faced indictment on charges of threatening President Trump through a 2025 Instagram post showing seashells arranged as '86 47.' Trump described the post as a mob term implying harm, while Comey denied any intent and called the prosecution political…
Substrate placeholder — needs reviewJames Comey Indicted on Threats Against Trump, Surrenders to Authorities
Former FBI Director James Comey turned himself in to federal authorities following an indictment accusing him of threatening President Trump through a social media post. The charges stem from an Instagram photo of seashells arranged as '86 47,' interpreted by prosecutors as a thr…
ReasonDOJ Indicts James Comey on Threat Charges
The U.S. Department of Justice has indicted former FBI Director James Comey on two felony counts related to a social media post. The charges stem from a May 2025 Instagram photo of seashells arranged as '86 47,' interpreted as a threat against President Trump. Comey has apologize…
thesouthafrican.comComey Testifies in Trump Threat Case
Former FBI Director James Comey made his initial court appearance following an indictment for allegedly threatening President Trump's life through an Instagram post of seashells arranged as '86 47.' He did not enter a plea, and the judge denied conditions on his release. The char…
Substrate placeholder — needs reviewSupreme Court Unanimously Grants Standing to Challenge New Jersey Subpoena in Nonprofit Case
The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously held that a pro-life religious organization has Article III standing to contest a subpoena from the New Jersey Attorney General seeking donor information. Justice Gorsuch authored the opinion, reversing the Third Circuit's judgment. The ruling a…
Substrate placeholder — needs reviewAppeals Court Allows Pentagon to Require Escorts for Journalists Pending Appeal
A federal appeals court stayed a district court order, permitting the Pentagon to enforce a policy requiring journalists to be escorted inside the building while it appeals an earlier ruling. The decision came in a case brought by The New York Times challenging restrictions on pr…
Substrate placeholder — needs reviewACLU Sues ICE and DHS Over FOIA Requests for Subpoena Records
Two lawsuits seek to compel Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security to release records on administrative subpoenas used to identify anonymous online users. The actions follow ignored Freedom of Information Act requests amid reports of increased…
Substrate placeholder — needs reviewFIRE Brief Challenges Defense Secretary's Authority to Censure Retired Officer Sen. Mark Kelly
The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression filed a brief arguing against extending speech restrictions to military retirees in a case involving Sen. Mark Kelly. The dispute arises from Kelly's public statements criticizing military actions under President Donald Trump. A…
catholicnewsagency.comSupreme Court to Review Colorado's Exclusion of Catholic Preschools from Funding Program
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case challenging Colorado's decision to exclude certain Catholic preschools from a universal preschool funding program due to their faith-based policies. The case involves allegations of violations of the Free Exercise Clause. Arguments…
winnipegfreepress.comFBI Investigated New York Times Reporter Over Article on Director's Girlfriend
The FBI launched an inquiry into New York Times reporter Elizabeth Williamson following her story on FBI Director Kash Patel's use of agency resources for his girlfriend's security. The investigation examined potential stalking law violations but did not result in charges. Times…
Substrate placeholder — needs reviewAppeals Court Upholds Texas Law Requiring Ten Commandments in Public Schools
A federal appeals court ruled that Texas can require public schools to display the Ten Commandments in classrooms, overturning a lower court's block. The 9-8 decision found the law does not violate the First Amendment. Opponents plan to appeal to the Supreme Court.
Substrate placeholder — needs reviewSupreme Court to Hear Appeal in Colorado Preschool Funding Case Involving Religious Admissions Policy
The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear an appeal from Catholic preschools in Colorado barred from a state-funded universal preschool program due to their enrollment policies on gender and sexual orientation. The case, St. Mary Catholic Parish v. Roy, centers on First Amendment fre…