Supreme Court orders Maine House to restore vote of GOP lawmaker who ID-ed trans teen athlete online
The Democratic-controlled House censured Libby after finding her viral post had violated its code of ethics by putting the student at risk. She was blocked from speaking and voting on the floor after she refused to apologize.
Libby has argued that the punishment violates free-speech rights. She said the court's decision restores a voice in the Legislature for the thousands of constituents she represents. 'This is a victory not just for my constituents, but for the Constitution itself,' she said.
Maine state attorneys argued that she still has other ways to participate in the legislative process, and would regain her voting power if she apologized. House Speaker Ryan Fecteau did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Supreme Court's order halts a lower court ruling that the sanction isn't severe enough to overcome legal blocks on courts intervening with legislative functions.
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Libby's February post was about a high school athlete who won a girls' track competition. She said the student had previously competed in boys' track. Her post included a photo of the student and first-name identification in quotation marks.
Libby's post went viral, preceding a public disagreement over the issue between Republican President Donald Trump and Democratic Maine Gov. Janet Mills. The Trump administration later filed a lawsuit against the state for not complying with the government's push to ban transgender athletes.
Whittle reported from Portland, Maine. Associated Press writer Mark Sherman contributed to this story.
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