First Amendment

ABC is contesting the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) review of whether 'The View' qualifies as a news program exempt from equal time rules. The network argues a 2002 FCC decision already resolved this, and the Trump administration's involvement is seen as an attempt to suppress free speech. The dispute has broader implications for shows blending politics and entertainment.

California's Senate Bill 399, which prohibits employers from penalizing employees for skipping mandatory work meetings involving political or religious speech, faces legal challenges in the Ninth Circuit. Employers argue the law infringes on their First Amendment rights, while California contends it only restricts punishment for non-attendance, not the meetings themselves. Judges expressed skepticism about applying the 'captive audience' doctrine to private employers.

Seven FIU students were reprimanded for wearing anti-ICE t-shirts during a university event, claiming the university violated their First Amendment rights. The university asserts they followed policies regarding student conduct, requiring the students to record videos about the alleged violations to register for classes.

The U.S. Supreme Court allowed Texas to enforce a law requiring app stores to verify users' ages and obtain parental consent for minors downloading apps or making in-app purchases. The law, the Texas App Store Accountability Act, was upheld by a 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling after a district court had initially deemed it unconstitutional. Plaintiffs, including the Computer & Communications Industry Association and Students Engaged in Advancing Texas, argued the law violates First Amendment rights, while Texas officials claimed it protects children from harmful digital content.

The Supreme Court allowed Texas to enforce a law requiring app stores to verify users' ages and obtain parental consent for minors to download apps or make purchases. The law, SB 2420, faces challenges from a student group and the Computer and Communications Industry Association, who argue it violates the First Amendment. The Court declined to reinstate a lower court's block on the law.

The U.S. Supreme Court declined to block Texas from enforcing a law requiring app stores to verify users' ages and obtain parental consent for minors. The decision allows the Texas App Store Accountability Act to proceed, with plaintiffs including the Computer & Communications Industry Association and Students Engaged in Advancing Texas challenging its constitutionality. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is a defendant in the cases.

The Supreme Court refused to block Texas' age verification law for app downloads, which requires minors under 18 to obtain parental consent. A coalition of students and the Computer & Communications Industry Association argued the law violates the First Amendment by restricting access to online content, but their emergency appeals were denied.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum defended a white nationalist group's Independence Day march through the nation's capital, citing the First Amendment, despite local residents' concerns. The march, involving around 400 masked participants wearing Patriot Front paraphernalia, drew criticism for its white supremacist ideology.

Media leaders are uniting to defend free speech against Trump's attacks, including DOJ subpoenas, lawsuits, and FBI raids targeting journalists. Trump has threatened legal action against ABC and used tactics like weaponizing the FCC and DOJ to suppress critical coverage, while media organizations increasingly support each other amid these assaults.

The U.S. Supreme Court will review a case from University Heights, Ohio, where Daniel Grand claims city officials required him to obtain a permit to host prayer gatherings at his home. The city argued his proposed religious activities in a residential area would create traffic and safety issues, while Grand asserts the government should not regulate prayer under the First Amendment.

The Supreme Court permitted a reporter to be fined for not disclosing a source. Catherine Herridge attempted to use First Amendment protections to avoid testifying and identifying her sources.

The Trump administration faces accusations of undermining First Amendment rights through actions like tear-gassing protestors at an ICE facility, suing a media outlet, and targeting a poll worker's social media post. These actions have spurred a cross-partisan coalition defending free speech, including Republican governors, businesses, and conservative media outlets, despite differing policy views. The Department of Justice has also indicted the Southern Poverty Law Center, raising concerns about threats to democratic accountability.

The Supreme Court concluded its 2025-2027 term, with justices preparing for summer activities while celebrating America's 250th anniversary. The article reflects on the Court's role in upholding the Constitution despite past controversial decisions like Dred Scott and Korematsu, which have been reversed. It emphasizes the importance of institutional respect for the rule of law as the nation approaches its bicentennial.

The Supreme Court lifted limits on political party spending for congressional campaigns in a 6-3 decision, ruling the Federal Election Campaign Act violated the First Amendment. CBS News legal contributor Jessica Levinson provided analysis on the ruling.

The District of Columbia settled a lawsuit with Sam O’Hara, a protester who played Darth Vader’s theme song while tailing an Ohio National Guard patrol, alleging unlawful detention and excessive force. O’Hara received $50,000 and claimed his protest was satire targeting President Donald Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops.

A U.S. federal judge ordered the removal of a fence around an Oregon federal building within 24 hours, citing violations of First Amendment rights by blocking a public protest plaza. The fence, installed in April 2023, was intended as a temporary measure to protect the building and employees following protests. The General Services Administration argued the fence was necessary for safety and repairs but faced judicial pushback over limited access to the plaza.

A federal judge ordered the Pentagon to temporarily halt a requirement that New York Times journalists be accompanied by an official escort, ruling the policy violated the First Amendment. The decision comes amid ongoing legal battles and tensions between the Trump administration and the media over Pentagon access restrictions.

A federal judge ordered the Pentagon to temporarily halt a policy requiring New York Times journalists to be accompanied by an official escort, citing a First Amendment violation. The Pentagon disputes the ruling, arguing it weakens security, while the Times praised the decision as constitutional. The legal battle continues as part of ongoing tensions between the media and the Trump administration.

A federal judge ruled against the Trump administration's overhaul of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, stating the changes overstepped the Education Department's authority and violated First Amendment protections. The overhaul aimed to exclude employers deemed to have a 'substantial illegal purpose' but was criticized for lacking connection to criminal statutes.

A federal judge blocked the Pentagon from enforcing a media escort requirement for journalists, ruling it violates the First Amendment due to retaliation and viewpoint discrimination. The decision follows the Pentagon's 2025 press policy that led to an exodus of veteran journalists, with the judge citing the importance of a free press for national security.

An immigration judge in Louisiana emphasized courts' commitment to public transparency after observers alleged repeated denials of access to immigration proceedings. The judge warned staff that failing to grant access could result in disciplinary action, following a complaint filed by advocates who documented over 50 instances of denied entry to hearings.

The Supreme Court struck down limits on political party spending in a 6-to-3 decision, ruling the 1974 law violated First Amendment rights. The ruling allows parties to raise and spend unlimited funds while coordinating with candidates, overturning a 2001 precedent. Republicans, supported by the Trump Justice Department, argued the restrictions lacked anti-corruption justification.

The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that federal limits on political party spending in coordination with candidates violate First Amendment rights, supporting a GOP challenge to campaign finance law. The decision aligns with Vice President Vance's argument, marking a partisan campaign finance dispute between major parties.

The Supreme Court struck down campaign spending limits between political parties and candidates, a challenge led by GOP figures including JD Vance and Steve Chabot. The decision impacts the Federal Election Campaign Act's donation caps, which Republicans argue violate the First Amendment. The ruling follows prior cases like Citizens United and McCutcheon that reshaped campaign finance regulations.

The Supreme Court refused to revive Alan Dershowitz's $300 million defamation lawsuit against CNN, upholding a 1964 precedent protecting press freedom. The 7-2 decision denied a challenge to the 'actual malice' standard for defamation claims involving public figures, which requires proof of knowledge or reckless disregard for falsity.

Jacqueline Smith, ombudsman of Stars and Stripes, is suing the Pentagon over her firing, which she claims was retaliatory and violated her First Amendment rights. The lawsuit was filed in federal court in Washington, D.C., following her removal in April after criticizing new Pentagon restrictions.

Virginia counselor Elizabeth Brokamp won a legal challenge against D.C. licensing laws that restricted her teletherapy services to D.C. clients. A U.S. District Court ruled her First Amendment free speech rights supersede D.C.'s requirement for local mental health counselor licensing, but she remains cautious about accepting D.C. clients pending potential appeals.

The District of Columbia has settled with Sam O’Hara, who claims police illegally detained him while he protested using the Darth Vader theme song against the Trump administration’s federal law-enforcement surge. The settlement amount remains undisclosed, and O’Hara will drop his lawsuit against the district and four officers. Related claims against an Ohio National Guard member remain unresolved.

The District of Columbia has settled a lawsuit with Sam O’Hara, who claims he was illegally detained by police while protesting an Ohio National Guard patrol by playing Darth Vader’s theme song. The settlement resolves his claims against DC and four officers but not against an Ohio National Guard member, Sgt. Devon Beck. O’Hara, represented by the ACLU, alleges the detention violated his First and Fourth Amendment rights.

The District of Columbia has settled with Sam O'Hara, who was detained by police for protesting an Ohio National Guard patrol by playing Darth Vader's theme song. The settlement amount remains undisclosed, and O'Hara will drop his lawsuit against the district and four officers. The case involves claims of First Amendment rights violations and unresolved legal action against an Ohio National Guard member.

The District of Columbia reached an undisclosed settlement with Sam O'Hara, who was detained for playing Darth Vader's theme song during a protest against federal troop deployments. O'Hara, represented by the ACLU, will drop his lawsuit against the district and police officers after receiving the settlement, though claims against an Ohio National Guard member remain unresolved.

A YouTube activist known for First Amendment video stunts was arrested after appearing uninvited at the Suffolk County PBA’s headquarters. The incident was reported by union leaders to The Post.

Maria Ruhtenberg was fired for Facebook posts referencing Charlie Kirk's assassination, later reinstated and awarded $125,000 in a First Amendment retaliation case. Similar cases involving social media comments about Kirk's death resulted in six-figure settlements for affected individuals.

The Justice Department issued and then withdrew subpoenas targeting reporters from The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal, part of a crackdown on media leaks. The subpoenas, which sought grand jury testimony, were rescinded, though the reason remains unclear. Critics condemned the move as a threat to press freedom, while the DOJ emphasized its commitment to investigating national security breaches.

Eight individuals were convicted of terrorism charges in a Texas immigration center shooting and sentenced to decades in prison. The defense claimed they were peaceful protesters, but the judge called the incident an assault on democracy. The case involves antifa, which the Trump administration labeled a domestic terrorist organization.

Eight individuals linked to antifa face sentencing for terrorism charges related to a July 4 shooting at a Texas immigration detention center. Prosecutors allege they provided material support to terrorists, while defendants deny antifa affiliation and claim they supported immigrants. The case could impact free-speech protections for protests.

FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez is determined to advocate for press freedom despite the possibility of being fired by President Trump. Trump likely cannot remove her immediately, but she remains vigilant.

Over a dozen states and a wholesaler association sued California's recycling agency administrator to block a law requiring 100% recyclable single-use plastic packaging by 2032, arguing it violates constitutional provisions on interstate commerce and imposes excessive costs. The lawsuit challenges the Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act as overly broad and infringing on state sovereignty.

A federal judge ordered the removal of a fence around an Oregon federal building, siding with free speech activists who claimed it blocked a public plaza used for protests. The government had installed the fence for security after protests caused damage, but the judge ruled it violated First Amendment rights.

Elin Warn Betanzo, founder of Safe Water Engineering LLC, filed a lawsuit against the EPA after being dismissed from its drinking water advisory council, claiming violations of her First Amendment rights and other laws. She alleges the agency fired her for signing a dissent declaration criticizing its policies. The EPA stated it has a zero-tolerance policy for employees undermining the administration's agenda.