Daily Supreme Court News Briefing - MAY 31, 2024

🗽A well informed citizenry is the best defense against tyranny.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 31, 2024

People Power United declares the Supreme Court has become unhinged.

In response to recent Supreme Court shenanigans, People Power United - a progressive grassroots group - issued the following statement:

“The Supreme Court has become unhinged. There is no power like that of the people, and People Power United stands ready to protect our communities against any and all injustices,” said Laurie Woodward García of People Power United.

People Power United will continue to oppose such harm to our community and champion civil rights for all.

Daily Supreme Court News Briefing

Rulings

Vox: The NRA just won a big Supreme Court victory. Good.

• Ian Millhiser praises the Supreme Court’s ruling in NRA v. Vullo, saying “even despicable people have the right to free speech.”

Bloomberg: NRA Ruling Eyed for Clues in Supreme Court Social Media Case

• Lydia Wheeler and Kimberly Strawbridge Robinson report that some are reading “in between the lines” of the Supreme Court’s ruling in NRA v. Vullo to predict how the justices might rule in a similar case, Murthy v. Missouri. 

Wall Street Journal: A Unanimous Supreme Court Backs the NRA on Free Speech

• The editorial board praises the Supreme Court’s ruling in NRA v. Vullo, saying that the government has been abusing its power to silence its opponents. 

MSNBC: This Supreme Court ruling is a ‘get-out-of-jail’ card for racial discrimination

• Michael Li, senior counsel for the Brennan Center’s Democracy Program, argues that the Supreme Court’s ruling in Alexander v. South Carolina Conference of NAACP makes it “easier… to attack the political power of the nation’s growing communities of color.” He sounds the alarm about the path the Court is on and urges Congress to act to protect the Voting Rights Act. 

Common Dreams: The Supreme Court Just Created a Safe Harbor for Partisan Gerrymandering

• Michael Waldman, President of the Brennan Center for Justice, argues that “the ruling in Alexander v. South Carolina NAACP can be understood as part of the court’s 15-year campaign to prevent the strengthening of our democratic institutions.” 

MSNBC: Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson goes her own way again with latest dissent

• Jordan Rubin writes about Justice Jackson’s dissent in Thornell v. Jones, arguing that it “provides some insight into the court, including within its three-justice minority.” 

Alito

New York Times: Chief Justice Rejects Call for Alito’s Recusal in Jan. 6 Cases After Flag Incidents

• Abbie VanSickle reports that on Thursday in a letter to Democratic Senators, Chief Justice John Roberts declined a request from Sens. Whitehouse and Durbin to meet regarding flag incidents involving Justice Alito. Roberts cited concerns about judicial independence and the separation of powers. 

Also covered by: NPR, NBC

Trump

Politico: Johnson in Trump verdict aftermath: 'I do believe the Supreme Court should step in'

• Anthony Adragna reports that following Trump’s guilty verdict Thursday, “Speaker Mike Johnson said the Supreme Court should ‘step in’” to correct the conviction. 

Also covered by: MSNBC

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People Power United champions progressive values and power to the people.