“Those who hold public office do not make the law,” remarks API Professorial Fellow and Professor of Law at Faulkner University, Adam J. MacLeod, in his introduction to the report. “They must obey the law and secure our civil liberties. That is the only reason that we allow them to hold power. Among the three branches of government, the judiciary is supposed to be the most naturally lawful, and the least dangerous to liberty.”
The report discusses the following actions of the Court this term:-
“Sex” is redefined in Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia.
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A Louisiana law requiring abortionists to have admitting privileges at local hospitals is struck down in June Medical Services v. Russo.
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Eastern Oklahoma, including most of Tulsa, is ruled Indian Country in McGirt v. Oklahoma.
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The Court protects rights of religious organizations to deny contraception coverage in Little Sisters of the Poor v. Pennsylvania.
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The Court maintains religious liberty for the hiring practices of religious schools in Our Lady of Guadalupe School v. Morrissey-Berru.
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School choice is affirmed in Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue.
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The Court rejects the Trump Administration’s attempt to end Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) in Department of Homeland Security v. Regents of the University of California.
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In Chiafalo v. Washington, the Court rules that states are allowed to bind electoral college votes.
MacLeod reminds people that “Judicial opinions are not law.” He recommends readers of this report to “read carefully. Study the issues and the laws. Don’t automatically defer to that eminent tribunal on the vital questions that are at stake. Make up your own mind. Then call your elected officials and encourage them to do the same.”
The report is authored by Parker Snider, API’s Director of Policy Strategy, and reviewed by Adam J. MacLeod, J.D. Josh Barker and John Pace also contributed to the report.