Overview
- Justice Amy Coney Barrett told the Supreme Court Fellows Program that freedom of speech and religion “commit us to pluralism,” stressing tolerance and respect for dissenting viewpoints.
- Former U.S. attorney Joyce Vance interpreted Barrett’s remarks as a quiet critique of President Trump’s rhetoric, citing his references to the Iran conflict as an “excursion” and anti-Muslim comments by MAGA allies.
- U.S. District Judge Manish Shaw enjoined the administration from withholding roughly $600 million from four Democratic-led states over sanctuary policies, calling the effort “contrived” and a violation of separation of powers.
- Critics condemned a White House Twitter video that mixed sports hits with footage of U.S. strikes on Iran; former Nebraska receiver Kenny Bell said the montage made him sick.
- Vance reported seven American deaths tied to a KC-135 refueling incident described as noncombat and noted same-day shootings at Old Dominion University and at a Michigan synagogue, raising concerns about rising antisemitism.