• Investing
  • Stock
Round Table Thoughts
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Home Economy Supreme Court rules in favor of NRA in key First Amendment case
Economy

Supreme Court rules in favor of NRA in key First Amendment case

by May 30, 2024
by May 30, 2024 0 comment
Share
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsapp

The Supreme Court on Thursday unanimously decided that the National Rifle Association (NRA) ‘plausibly alleged’ that the New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) violated the group’s First Amendment rights by blacklisting the group.

In a unanimous decision written by Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the high court ‘holds that the NRA plausibly alleged that [then-New York State Department of Financial Services Superintendent Maria T.] Vullo violated the First Amendment by coercing DFS-regulated entities to terminate their business relationships with the NRA in order to punish or suppress the NRA’s advocacy.’ 

‘The judgment of the U. S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit is vacated, and the case remanded for further proceedings consistent with this opinion,’ the court said, allowing the NRA to continue to argue its case, overruling the second circuit’s dismissal of the suit.

The case stems from a lawsuit filed by the NRA in 2018 which questioned whether a government regulator threatens regulated entities with adverse regulatory actions if they do business with a controversial speaker, allegedly because of the government’s own hostility to the speaker’s viewpoint, violates the First Amendment.

‘Six decades ago, this Court held that a government entity’s ‘threat of invoking legal sanctions and other means of coercion’ against a third party ‘to achieve the suppression’ of disfavored speech violates the First Amendment,’ the opinion states. 

‘Today, the Court reaffirms what it said then: Government officials cannot attempt to coerce private parties in order to punish or suppress views that the government disfavors,’ it said. ‘Petitioner National Rifle Association (NRA) plausibly alleges that respondent Maria Vullo did just that.’

The NRA sued Vullo, who — at the order of former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo — allegedly blacklisted the NRA, effectively forcing banks and insurers to cut ties with the group.

She sent ‘guidance letters’ in 2018 to banks and insurance companies encouraging them to sever ties with the NRA and other pro-Second Amendment organizations, citing reputational risks. The guidance letters were issued shortly after the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, that killed 17 students and staff.

The lawsuit alleged that Vullo made ‘backroom threats’ against regulated firms, accompanied by offers of leniency on unrelated infractions if regulated entities would agree to blacklist the NRA.

‘As superintendent of the New York Department of Financial Services, Vullo allegedly pressured regulated entities to help her stifle the NRA’s pro-gun advocacy by threatening enforcement actions against those entities that refused to disassociate from the NRA and other gun-promotion advocacy groups,’ the court’s Thursday opinion states. 

‘Those allegations, if true, state a First Amendment claim.’

The Supreme Court in November agreed to hear National Rifle Association of America v. Vullo, after a federal appeals court in 2022 dismissed the group’s lawsuit, arguing Vullo’s actions were reasonable. 

On Thursday, the high court said the Second Circuit is vacated, and the case remanded for further proceedings consistent with its opinion, meaning the gun rights group can continue to argue its case in lower courts. 

The NRA garnered support from unlikely allies in the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), a group that ideologically opposes the NRA but said it is ‘proud’ to defend the gun group’s ‘right to speak.’

‘Today’s decision confirms that government officials have no business using their regulatory authority to blacklist disfavored political groups,’  said David Cole, the ACLU’s national legal director, who argued the case for the NRA.  ‘

The New York state officials involved here, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and his chief financial regulator, Maria Vullo, were clear that they sought to punish the NRA because they disagreed with its gun rights advocacy. The Supreme Court has now made crystal clear that this action is unconstitutional.’

Neal Katyal of Hogan Lovells, counsel for Vullo, said, ‘We are disappointed by the Court’s decision. As the Court’s decision makes clear, because of the posture of this case, this ruling required the Court to treat the NRA’s untested allegations as true even though these allegations have no evidentiary merit.’ 

‘This case will now go back to the Second Circuit, which threw out the lawsuit on qualified immunity grounds before. The Supreme Court did not address the qualified immunity decision of the Second Circuit, and we are confident Ms. Vullo’s claim of qualified immunity will be reaffirmed,’ Katyal said, adding that, ‘Ms. Vullo did not violate anyone’s First Amendment rights.’

Fox News’ Shannon Bream and Bill Mears and Fox News Digital’s Emma Colton contributed to this report. 

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
You Might Also Like
  • Biden’s bizarre plan to nationalize American innovation
  • US commission ends Saudi trip early after Jewish chair told to remove kippah head covering
  • GOP hardliners furious at Johnson for passing another short-term spending bill with Dems: ‘Usual c–p’
  • I’ve been an actor for over 40 years, here’s why my next role might be my most important
Share
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsapp

previous post
DOJ reaches settlement with ex-FBI ‘lovebirds’ caught in anti-Trump text scandal
next post
US Intel says North Korean missile debris identified in Russian attack on Kharkiv: report

You may also like

Pennsylvania schools push for more funding after court rules in...

July 25, 2023

Team Biden needs to recognize that health care innovation using...

January 11, 2024

Scalise brings in eye-popping $12M as GOP kicks off 2024...

April 10, 2024

Dem-appointed Colorado justice says Trump ballot ban undermines ‘bedrock’ of...

December 21, 2023

House Dems defend Jeffries as Left’s disarray over Biden grows

July 10, 2024

McCaul threatens to hold Blinken in contempt of Congress for...

February 28, 2024

North Dakota landowners clash on pipeline plans

January 28, 2023

Who are some of the Biden-appointed judges the Senate just...

December 23, 2023

North Dakota House passes bill banning virtually all abortions after...

April 18, 2023

White House repeatedly dodges question on ‘financial’ reparations for slavery:...

June 15, 2023

    Stay updated with the latest news, exclusive offers, and special promotions. Sign up now and be the first to know! As a member, you'll receive curated content, insider tips, and invitations to exclusive events. Don't miss out on being part of something special.


    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

    Recent Posts

    • Krispy Kreme stock plunges after doughnut chain pauses McDonald’s rollout, pulls outlook

      May 8, 2025
    • Don’t Buy Robinhood Stock… Until You See This Chart Setup

      May 8, 2025
    • UnitedHealthcare sued by shareholders over reaction to CEO’s killing

      May 8, 2025
    • The Unpredictable Stock Market: How to Make Sense of It

      May 8, 2025
    • AMD CEO calls China a ‘large opportunity’ and warns against strict U.S. chip controls

      May 7, 2025

    Popular Posts

    • 1

      Trump-era China sanctions ended by Biden may be...

      June 27, 2024 2,633 views
    • 2

      Walz’s honeymoon with China gets fresh scrutiny as...

      August 9, 2024 2,339 views
    • 3

      Biden appointee played key role in recruiting Chinese...

      June 25, 2024 2,321 views
    • 4

      Shein’s global ambitions leaves some cybersecurity experts fearful...

      July 10, 2024 2,303 views
    • 5

      Harris VP pick spent years promoting research facility...

      August 29, 2024 2,186 views

    Categories

    • Economy (7,009)
    • Editor's Pick (2,066)
    • Investing (538)
    • Stock (2,530)

    Popular Posts

    • 1

      Trump-era China sanctions ended by Biden may be revived under new House GOP bill

      June 27, 2024
    • 2

      Walz’s honeymoon with China gets fresh scrutiny as Harris camp blasts ‘lying’ critics

      August 9, 2024
    • 3

      Biden appointee played key role in recruiting Chinese businesses to Delaware: ‘Longtime friends’

      June 25, 2024
    • 4

      Shein’s global ambitions leaves some cybersecurity experts fearful of Chinese spy threats

      July 10, 2024
    • 5

      Harris VP pick spent years promoting research facility that collaborated with ‘Chinese military company’

      August 29, 2024

    Latest News

    • Krispy Kreme stock plunges after doughnut chain pauses McDonald’s rollout,...

      May 8, 2025
    • Don’t Buy Robinhood Stock… Until You See This Chart Setup

      May 8, 2025
    • UnitedHealthcare sued by shareholders over reaction to CEO’s killing

      May 8, 2025

    Categories

    • Economy (7,009)
    • Editor's Pick (2,066)
    • Investing (538)
    • Stock (2,530)

    Disclaimer: RoundTableThoughts.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2024 RoundTableThoughts.com. All Rights Reserved.

    Round Table Thoughts
    • Investing
    • Stock
    Round Table Thoughts
    • Economy
    • Editor’s Pick

    Read alsox

    Longtime Democratic lawmaker turned activist defects...

    July 21, 2023

    How Donald Trump sneaked up on...

    July 23, 2024

    Netflix Stock Jumps 5% as Strong...

    October 23, 2024
    Sign In

    Keep me signed in until I sign out

    Forgot your password?

    Password Recovery

    A new password will be emailed to you.

    Have received a new password? Login here