The National Rifle Association (NRA) alleges an official pressured banks and insurers to sever ties with the organization|Democracy Chronicles|CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) unanimously overturned a lower court’s ruling, allowing the National Rifle Association (NRA) to proceed with a lawsuit against former New York state official Maria Vullo for violating free speech rights.
The case against Vullo, a former superintendent of the New York Department of Financial Services, alleges she pressured banks and insurers to sever ties with the NRA after the 2018 Parkland school mass shooting that claimed the lives of 14 students and three school staff and injured 17 others.
SCOTUS Justice Sonia Sotomayor stated that the First Amendment prohibits government officials from using their power to suppress views they dislike.
While Vullo argues her actions were lawful, the NRA, represented by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), says she abused her authority and set a dangerous precedent.
The lawsuit was one of the two cases involving government and free speech in front of the SCOTUS this term.
In another suit, Murthy v. Missouri, the court will decide in June if the Biden administration violated free speech by reaching out to social media platforms to moderate content.