The Supreme Court unanimously dismissed challenges to Florida and Texas laws that regulate how social media companies moderate user content. The court found that lower courts had not properly analyzed the First Amendment issues in the case. This sends the cases back to the respective Circuit Courts of Appeals for further review.
Fox News contributor Jonathan Turley, in his new book ‘The Indispensable Right: Free Speech in an Age of Rage,’ argues that the United States is experiencing the most dangerous period for free speech in its history. He cites a powerful alliance between government, corporations, and academia that is increasingly restricting free expression, citing concerns about ‘fake news’ and ‘disinformation.’ Turley warns that this alliance threatens the core values of American democracy, comparing it to historical crackdowns on dissent. Despite the alarming trends, he maintains that the human need for free speech will ultimately prevail.
Civil liberties groups have filed a lawsuit to challenge a new Louisiana law mandating the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms. The plaintiffs argue the law violates the separation of church and state and promotes religious favoritism, while proponents contend it holds historical significance. The lawsuit seeks to prevent the implementation of the law, citing Supreme Court precedent that prohibits government establishment of religion.
Two Democratic state attorneys general are facing a lawsuit for allegedly attempting to silence a company offering alternative DNA collection kits for sexual assault survivors. Leda Health Corporation, the company behind the kits, claims the attorneys general are violating the First Amendment by threatening to shut down their business and penalize their CEO for promoting their alternative to traditional rape kits.
Former President Trump’s defense attorneys are requesting the termination of a gag order restricting his public statements about the recent trial where he was found guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records. They argue that the trial has concluded and the stated bases for the gag order no longer exist. They also cite Trump’s First Amendment rights as a leading candidate in the 2024 presidential election and contend that the order impinges on the free speech rights of the American people. The defense team asserts that the gag order was unconstitutional and part of a rigged trial. Trump’s sentencing date is set for July 11, just four days before the Republican National Convention.
Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) is demanding a criminal investigation into New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan for allegedly violating former President Donald Trump’s First Amendment rights during his trial. Vance claims Merchan’s enforcement of gag orders deprived Trump of his ability to question witnesses, challenge prosecutors, and address the judge’s perceived bias. The senator cites two statutes that could be used to pursue Merchan, one preventing conspiracies against federally protected rights and another prohibiting the willful deprivation of constitutional rights.
Louisiana lawmakers have passed a bill that would make the state the first to require the Ten Commandments to be displayed in all schools and colleges that receive public funding. The bill, introduced by GOP state Rep. Dodie Horton, states that the text of the Ten Commandments must be printed in classrooms on a poster no smaller than 11 inches by 14 inches and must be “the central focus” of the poster. The bill was given final approval Tuesday evening, when the state House passed it by a 79-16 vote, with only Democrats voting against the legislation. The Senate passed the bill earlier this month. Gov. Jeff Landry, a Republican, still needs to sign the new bill into law for Louisiana to make history as the first state with such a requirement. The bill is expected to face legal challenges over First Amendment concerns.
In response to a motion from Special Counsel Jack Smith requesting a gag order, former President Trump’s attorneys have accused the government of “unconstitutional censorship.” Smith’s motion seeks to prohibit Trump from making statements that pose a danger to law enforcement agents involved in the classified documents investigation. Trump’s legal team argues that the request is an attempt to silence Trump’s political speech and violates his First Amendment rights.
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has denounced the Kansas City mayor’s office for ‘doxxing’ Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker in retaliation for his Christian views expressed in a commencement speech. Bailey, a Republican, believes Butker was discriminated against based on his religion and has vowed to hold city officials accountable. He has requested documents from the mayor’s office to understand who has control over the social media account used to reveal Butker’s residence.
The Connecticut Supreme Court has ruled that state election officials violated the constitutional free speech rights of two Republican candidates when they were fined for criticizing the Democratic governor in ads paid for by their publicly funded campaigns. The court’s decision is a significant victory for free speech advocates and could have implications for other states that provide public funding for campaigns.
