Elie Honig: Supreme Court signals distrust in Trump administration
CNN Senior Legal Analyst Elie Honig weighs in on the Supreme Court's decision to temporarily pause deportations under the Alien Enemies Act.
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San Francisco Chronicle
2 hours ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
What the Supreme Court's latest decision on LGBTQ inclusion means for California
Parents with religious objections to schoolbooks that favorably refer to lesbians, gays or transgender people have a right to be notified and remove their young children from class, the Supreme Court has ruled in the latest of a series of cases condemned by LGBT advocates. But it may not be the last word in California. Friday's 6-3 decision in a case from Maryland came a week after the same Supreme Court majority upheld laws in Tennessee and 26 other states denying puberty blockers and other gender-affirming care for transgender minors. A month earlier, the justices allowed President Donald Trump to expel thousands of transgender troops from the U.S. military while it considers his request to ban them from service. Together, the decisions mark a broad shift that California is fighting. Two years ago, Gov. Gavin Newsom imposed a $1.5 million fine on the Temecula Valley Unified School District in Riverside County for rejecting the state's social studies curriculum because it briefly discussed Harvey Milk, the gay-rights leader and San Francisco supervisor. Milk was assassinated in 1978 by former Supervisor Dan White, who also fatally shot Mayor George Moscone. After imposing the fine and shipping a supply of Milk-inclusive textbooks to the Temecula district, Newsom signed a law, Assembly Bill 1078 by Corey Jackson, D-Perris (Riverside County), that prohibits school boards from banning instructional materials because they contain discussions of a particular 'individual or group,' such as Milk and his advocates. The debate — inclusion and trans rights on one side, freedom of speech and religion on the other — was addressed Friday by a different set of referees, the Supreme Court's conservative majority. One of its most outspoken members, Justice Samuel Alito, said the Maryland school district's use of elementary-school textbooks with LGBT characters or themes violated the rights of religious parents to oversee their children's education. 'A government burdens the religious exercise of parents when it requires them to submit their children to instruction that poses a very real threat of undermining the religious beliefs and practices that the parents wish to instill,' Alito wrote. He described one storybook for grades kindergarten through five that showed Kate, apparently a transgender girl, in what Alito described as a 'sex-neutral or sex-ambiguous bathroom,' telling her friends that a bathroom 'should be a safe space.' Another book, titled 'Prince & Knight,' showed two men battling a dragon, then falling in love and marrying with applause from 'the whole kingdom,' Alito said. Even if those books do not expressly endorse LGBT rights, Alito wrote, 'they are clearly designed to present certain values and beliefs as things to be celebrated' and are being presented to 'young, impressionable children' without notification to their parents. He cited the court's 1972 ruling that allowed Amish parents to remove their children from school after the eighth grade, in accordance with their religion, despite a Wisconsin law requiring attendance until age 16. Dissenting Justice Sonia Sotomayor said the ruling 'invents a constitutional right to avoid exposure' to subjects that displease students' parents. Giving children 'of all faiths and backgrounds … an opportunity to practice living in our multicultural society ... is critical to our Nation's civic vitality,' said Sotomayor, joined by the court's other two Democratic appointees, Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson. 'Yet it will become a mere memory if children must be insulated from exposure to ideas and concepts that may conflict with their parents' religious faiths.' California, unlike Maryland, has a law allowing parents with religious objections to their children's schoolbooks to remove their children from class — but only for classes related to health care. And last month a federal judge in San Diego barred a school district from assigning a book about a transgender child to a fifth-grader in a non-health care class without notifying his parents or allowing them to object. The book, 'My Shadow Is Pink,' tells the story of a boy who likes to wear dresses and is criticized at first by his father, who eventually comes to accept him. It was part of the Encinitas Union School District's 'buddy program' in which fifth-graders use school materials to mentor kindergarteners. Although state law serves 'an admirable purpose' by requiring schools to teach students about the contributions of 'historically marginalized groups,' the district appears to have violated the fifth-grader's constitutional rights by not allowing him or his parents to object, said U.S. District Judge M. James Lorenz, an appointee of former President Bill Clinton. The district has appealed Lorenz's order to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which now can rely on the Supreme Court's analysis in assessing the state law. 'I am very concerned about the practical implications' of Friday's ruling, said Jonathan Glater, a professor of educational law at UC Berkeley. 'If I am a teacher, I might share with all parents a detailed explanation of all materials students might be exposed to, so that they can pull their students out of particular segments. The burden on a school of administrating those opt-outs is clear. And of course, a parental opt-out is highly unlikely to stop kids from talking with each other about the disfavored material; that is not how kids work.' The Supreme Court's ruling drew praise and criticism. Attorney Eric Baxter of the Becket Fund, which represented the Maryland youth's parents, said the court had reaffirmed that 'parents — not government — have the final say in how their children are raised.' But Becky Pringle, president of the National Education Association, a union representing 2.8 million teachers, said the ruling 'could have a chilling effect on students for generations to come.' California Attorney General Rob Bonta, who filed arguments with the court supporting the Maryland district, seemed unperturbed. 'By ensuring our curriculum reflects the full diversity of our student population, we foster an environment where every student feels seen, supported, and empowered to succeed,' he said in a statement after the ruling. 'In California, we will continue to remain a beacon of inclusivity, diversity, and belonging.' The case is Mahmoud v. Taylor, No. 24-297.
CNBC
2 hours ago
- CNBC
Trump administration exploring $30 billion civilian nuclear deal for Iran
The Trump administration in recent days has explored possible economic incentives for Iran in return for the regime halting uranium enrichment, including releasing billions of dollars in frozen Iranian assets, according to three sources familiar with the discussions. The tentative proposal would also allow Iran to receive assistance from regional countries to enable Tehran to build a civilian nuclear program, granting Tehran access to as much as $30 billion. The proposal is one of many ideas under consideration by the administration, the sources said. The details of the administration's discussions were first reported by CNN. The potential deal would mark a major reversal in policy for President Trump, who pulled the U.S. out of the Obama administration's nuclear deal with Iran in 2018 arguing in part that the sanctions relief and unfreezing of Iranian assets had provided a "lifeline of cash" to the Iranian regime to continue its malign activities. Still, it is not immediately clear if the financial proposal or any negotiations between the U.S. and Iran will move forward. In a Truth Social post Friday night, Trump said he "never heard of this ridiculous idea," adding that it was "just another HOAX put out by the Fake News." Earlier Friday, Trump threatened to drop any possible sanctions relief for Iran after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared victory in the war against Israel and downplayed the significance of U.S. attacks on their nuclear sites. "Why would the so-called 'Supreme Leader,' Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, of the war torn Country of Iran, say so blatantly and foolishly that he won the War with Israel, when he knows his statement is a lie?" Trump wrote in a lengthy post on Truth Social, adding. "During the last few days, I was working on the possible removal of sanctions, and other things, which would have given a much better chance to Iran at a full, fast, and complete recovery — The sanctions are BITING! But no, instead I get hit with a statement of anger, hatred, and disgust." In a pre-recorded speech on Iranian state TV on Thursday, Khamenei said: "The Islamic Republic was victorious and, in retaliation, delivered a hand slap to America's face." He added: "This action can be repeated in the future." But later on Friday, Trump insisted the Iranians still wanted to meet with him to discuss possible sanctions relief. "They do want to meet me, and we'll do that quickly. We're going to do it quickly," Trump told reporters during a White House meeting with the foreign ministers of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Rwanda. "Don't you think we have sanctions on there that they can't do anything? Wouldn't you think that they want to meet me? I mean, they're not stupid people."
CNN
2 hours ago
- CNN
5 things to know for June 27: US-Iran, Trump threatens media, Planned Parenthood, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, Minnesota shooting
5 Things The Middle East Donald Trump Health care policyFacebookTweetLink Follow If you live in the Southeast, you may have seen or heard something unusual on Thursday. A daytime fireball that was possibly dropped by a meteor was clearly visible in the sky — and it created a sonic boom. Here's what else you need to know to Get Up to Speed and On with Your Day. The Pentagon released new details about the US attack on Iran's nuclear facilities last weekend, including how the military prepared for the mission, the crews who carried out the raid and how Iran tried to fortify one of the sites in advance of the bombing. However, Thursday's briefing did not provide new intelligence supporting President Donald Trump's assertion that the strikes 'obliterated' Iran's nuclear program. Both Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Dan Caine and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth referred questions about that to the intelligence agencies. Until all of the intel is gathered, the full extent of damage at the facilities remains unclear. A lawyer representing President Trump has sent letters to CNN and The New York Times threatening legal action over their reporting on the US attack on Iran. Attorney Alejandro Brito alleged that the stories published on June 24 describing an early US intelligence assessment of the strikes were false and defamatory. Both media outlets rejected that claim. Trump has insisted that Iran's nuclear enrichment sites were 'completely and totally obliterated,' but the preliminary assessment from the Pentagon's intelligence arm suggested the bombings did not destroy the core components of Iran's nuclear program. Administration officials confirmed the existence of the intel and Trump said that anyone who leaked it to the press 'should be prosecuted.' The president also described both media outlets as 'fake news' and called for one of the three CNN reporters who broke the story to be fired. CNN replied: 'We stand 100% behind Natasha Bertrand's journalism and specifically her and her colleagues' reporting' about the assessment. The Supreme Court on Thursday blocked Planned Parenthood from suing South Carolina over the state's decision to pull its Medicaid funding because the organization also provides abortions. At issue was an executive order signed by Gov. Henry McMaster in 2018 that pulled Medicaid funding from the state's two Planned Parenthood clinics because he claimed it would amount to a taxpayer subsidy for abortion. That order also blocked Medicaid patients from receiving other services at Planned Parenthood, including contraception, breast exams and testing for sexually transmitted diseases. The high court's decision could prompt other red states to target Planned Parenthood and make it harder for Medicaid beneficiaries to choose their doctor. Today is the final day of the term and the Supreme Court is expected to hand down six rulings, including those dealing with Trump's birthright citizenship order, a challenge from religious parents who want to opt their children out of reading LGBTQ books in school and a First Amendment suit over a Texas law that requires people to verify their age before accessing porn online. Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the Maryland man who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador, jailed in the country's notorious CECOT prison and returned to the US months later, is currently being detained in Tennessee. During a court hearing on Thursday, a Justice Department lawyer told the judge that the Trump administration plans to send Abrego Garcia to a 'third country' but wouldn't specify a timeline for the deportation. While the administration's original deportation of Abrego Garcia violated a 2019 order from an immigration judge that said he could not be deported to his home country due to fears that he would face gang violence, that order did not preclude his deportation to another country. The wife of the man accused of shooting two Minnesota state lawmakers and their spouses on June 14 said she was 'absolutely shocked, heartbroken and completely blindsided' by the attack. Vance Boelter is accused of killing Melissa Hortman, a member of the Minnesota House, and her husband, Mark, as well as injuring John Hoffman, a member of the Minnesota Senate, and his wife in a separate shooting. Boelter is facing numerous state and federal charges, including murder, firearms offenses and stalking. In a statement through her lawyer, Jenny Boelter offered her 'deepest sympathies' to the victims' families, and said her family had fully cooperated with authorities. The Hortmans will lie in state at the Minnesota Capitol today. Get '5 Things' in your inbox If your day doesn't start until you're up to speed on the latest headlines, then let us introduce you to your new favorite morning fix. Sign up here for the '5 Things' longer 'Made in the USA'?Trump Mobile, the wireless service provider and phone company launched this month by the Trump Organization, has changed the language describing the origins of the T1 8002 phone on its website. 'It's a sad day for us'A foreshadowed death on 'The Simpsons' has freaked out fans of the animated family. B&E at Brad's placeA Los Angeles home owned by movie star Brad Pitt was reportedly burglarized this week. Pitt was away on a promotional tour for his new film, 'F1: The Movie,' during the incident. Star-filled nuptialsSeveral A-list celebrities, including Oprah and Mick Jagger, have traveled to Venice for the lavish Bezos wedding this weekend. From 'Dune' to 007Oscar-winning director Denis Villeneuve has been tapped to helm the next movie in the James Bond franchise. 'This is a massive responsibility, but also, incredibly exciting for me and a huge honor,' he said. Journalist Bill Moyers dies at 91The former press secretary to President Lyndon B. Johnson spent five decades on the air working as a journalist, political commentator and champion of public media. Walter Cronkite once described Moyers as 'the conscience' of the country. Which team won the NBA championship this week?A. Indiana PacersB. Oklahoma City ThunderC. New York KnicksD. Minnesota Timberwolves Take me to the quiz! 41,000+That's how many retirement-age Americans died from falls in 2023. More than half of those deaths were people 85 and older, the CDC reported. 'This is not a luxury. I do not have my daughter enrolled on Medicaid so we can have fancy things. I have my daughter enrolled in Medicaid so we can keep her alive and keep her at home, which I think is the best option for her.' — Missouri parent Courtney Leader, on the GOP's proposed cuts to Medicaid. Check your local forecast here>>> So much natural beauty!See why this place was named CNN's best town to visit for 2025. 5 Things AM is edited by CNN's Andrew Torgan.
