Supreme Court shields border agents from lawsuits over excessive force
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Wednesday shielded federal border patrol agents from being sued over allegations of unreasonable searches and the use of excessive force.
In a 6-3 decision, the court’s conservatives said that in nearly all instances federal agents may be not held liable for violating constitutional rights unless Congress has authorized such lawsuits for damages.
“Our cases have made clear that, in all but the most unusual circumstances, prescribing a cause of action is a job for Congress, not the courts,” wrote Justice Clarence Thomas for the court in the majority opinion.
While the Constitution sets out the rights of individuals against the government — including protection “against unreasonable searches and seizures” — it did not say how those rights were to be enforced.
—Los Angeles Times
Governor candidate Nikki Fried calls for massive effort to ‘change the culture of America' on guns
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Democratic gubernatorial candidate Nikki Fried said Tuesday she’d like to see a massive effort to “change the culture of America when it comes to guns,” along the scale of the efforts that turned cigarette smoking into something that’s less glamorous — and thus less popular — than it was decades ago.
“If you ask this newest generation about cigarette smoking, they respond with disgust. That’s because we put money into changing the conversation,” Fried said at a campaign appearance in Fort Lauderdale.
She criticized politicians who brandish guns in their political advertising. Fried said they think it’s “cool” — and they hope to secure endorsements from the National Rifle Association.
“It’s not cool to be holding up your gun,” she said, a view that isn’t confined to politicians holding weapons. “It’s not cool to be going and comparing guns in the backyard.”
—South Florida Sun Sentinel
Colorado lawmakers who voted for abortion bill should not take communion, Catholic bishops say
DENVER — The Colorado Catholic Conference representing Colorado bishops sent a letter to state lawmakers who voted for an abortion bill to voluntarily not take communion until they publicly repent and receive forgiveness through confession.
The Colorado Legislature passed HB22-1279 in March, and it was signed into law by Democratic Gov. Jared Polis in April. The law, dubbed the Reproductive Health Equity Act, codifies the right to get an abortion without government interference.
Democratic lawmakers pursued the legislation as it became more likely that conservative U.S. Supreme Court justices would overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling. That way, getting an abortion would still be legal in Colorado.
The law specifies that people can choose what to do about their own pregnancies whether that’s in vitro fertilization or termination, and it passed the chambers with no Republican support and opposition from groups, including the Colorado Catholic Conference. It also makes clear that a fertilized egg, embryo, or fetus doesn’t have independent or derivative rights under state law.
“Voting for RHEA was participating in a gravely sinful action because it facilitates the killing of innocent unborn babies, and those Catholic politicians who have done so have very likely placed themselves outside of the communion of the Church,” the letter stated.
—The Denver Post
Russians flock to EU court in long-shot bids to undo sanctions
Russian billionaires hit by European Union sanctions over Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine are flocking to the bloc’s courts in an attempt to extricate themselves from the EU’s target list of rich individuals. History shows their chances of lasting success are slim.
About 20 appeals by some of Russia’s wealthiest tycoons or their family members have already been filed since the EU started imposing the retaliatory measures in February.
They include Dmitry Konov, former chief executive officer of Sibur Holding, who filed his appeal at the EU General Court in Luxembourg on June 1, adding to challenges by the likes of Roman Abramovich, Andrey Melnichenko and Mikhail Fridman. More appeals are coming in every week.
“The vast majority of cases will have very limited prospects of success,” said Carsten Zatschler, an Irish trial lawyer, or barrister, specializing in EU law. Even arguing that the EU cast its net too wide and ensnared opponents of the Putin regime would be difficult because “so much political judgment is involved in the underlying decisions,” he said.
—Bloomberg News
