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Supreme Court decides whether to allow parents to shield children from LGBTQ books in school
Lesson plans: SCOTUS debates parental rights in classroom
Fox News correspondent David Spunt breaks down the Supreme Court hearing arguments over parental and religious rights regarding an opt-out policy for those who oppose their children learning from LGBTQ-themed books on ‘Special Report.’
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The Supreme Court held Friday that a group of Maryland parents are entitled to opt their children out of school lessons that could violate their beliefs in a case centered on religious freedom.
The justices decided 6-3 along ideological lines in Mahmoud v. Taylor that parents can exclude their children from a Maryland public school system’s lessons that contain themes about homosexuality and transgenderism if they feel it conflicts with their religious faith.
«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,» Justice Samuel Alito wrote for the majority. «And a government cannot condition the benefit of free public education on parents’ acceptance of such instruction.»
Montgomery County Public Schools began incorporating books into their preschool through 12th grade language arts curriculums a few years ago that featured «lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer characters,» the school district’s attorneys told the Supreme Court. The attorneys said the school district did this as part of an effort to be «culturally responsive» and teach lessons that encourage «equity, respect, and civility.»
PROTESTS ERUPT AS SUPREME COURT CONSIDERS CASE ON LGBT BOOKS IN SCHOOL
People supporting the right to opt-out their children from classes containing LGBTQ-related content demonstrate outside the US Supreme Court, as the court hears oral arguments in the Mahmoud v. Taylor case, in Washington, DC, April 22, 2025. (Oliver Contreras / AFP via Getty Images)
The Maryland parents who sued said in their petition to the high court that the school board introduced books to their elementary school students that promoted «gender transitions, Pride parades, and same-sex playground romance.»
The parents said the school board initially allowed parents to opt their children out of lessons involving those books but then ceased doing that.
They also said the presence of the books created «indirect pressure to forgo a religious practice,» which created enough of a burden to violate their religious freedom rights.
KEY SCOTUS PARENTAL RIGHTS CASES DRAW MCMAHON, MOMS FOR LIBERTY TO RALLY ON COURT STEPS
Ricky Rosé reads «Jack not Jackie» a children’s book at a rally as oral arguments on Mahmoud v. Taylor, a religious freedom case involving LBGTQ+ curriculum, on April 22, 2025. (John McDonnell/For The Washington Post via Getty Images)
The parents who brought the suit span a range of religious backgrounds. Tamer Mahmoud and Enas Barakat are Muslim, while others fall under different denominations of Christianity.
During oral arguments, Justice Clarence Thomas questioned an attorney representing Montgomery County schools about whether the books simply existed in the classroom or were actively introduced to the students.
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The attorney indicated that teachers gave lessons to the students involving the books in question five times during the school year.
Rosalind Hanson, a member of the conservative group Moms for Liberty, told Fox News Digital during a recent interview in front of the Supreme Court that she and other parents who helped bring the case were «not trying to change the curriculum» for parents who did support their children being exposed to the books.
«The majority of states across the country have said you can have an opt-out for these very sensitive issues and topics, especially because of the religious component, but also because of the age appropriateness,» Hanson said.
This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.
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The White House pushed back on reports claiming President Donald Trump will likely name the upcoming White House ballroom after himself, saying any name designation for the event space will come directly from the president.
«Any announcement made on the name of the ballroom will come directly from President Trump himself, and not through anonymous and unnamed sources,» White House spokesman Davis Ingle told Fox News Digital Friday.
Reports spread like wildfire Friday afternoon that Trump planned to name the ballroom after himself, with ABC News publishing a report that administration officials were reportedly already calling the project «The President Donald J. Trump Ballroom.»
«I won’t get into that now,» Trump told ABC News Thursday when asked about a potential name, the outlet noted.
DAVID MARCUS: TRUMP’S BALLROOM IS NO VANITY PROJECT, IT’S ABOUT AMERICAN GRANDEUR
The White House said President Trump would directly reveal a name for the upcoming White House ballroom. (Eric Lee/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Trump announced Monday that construction had begun on the ballroom, after months of Trump touting the upcoming project to modernize the White House. The project does not cost taxpayers and is privately funded, the administration has repeatedly said.
«For more than 150 years, every President has dreamt about having a Ballroom at the White House to accommodate people for grand parties, State Visits, etc. I am honored to be the first President to finally get this much-needed project underway — with zero cost to the American Taxpayer!» Trump posted to Truth Social on Monday. «The White House Ballroom is being privately funded by many generous Patriots, Great American Companies, and, yours truly. This Ballroom will be happily used for Generations to come!»
TRUMP CELEBRATES WHITE HOUSE DEMOLITION AS NEW BALLROOM RISES: ‘MUSIC TO MY EARS’
An excavator works to clear rubble after the East Wing of the White House was demolished on Oct. 23, 2025 in Washington, D.C. (Eric Lee/Getty Images)
The ballroom’s official construction set off a firestorm of criticisms among Democrats who have characterized Trump as destroying the iconic American residence.
«Oh you’re trying to say the cost of living is skyrocketing? Donald Trump can’t hear you over the sound of bulldozers demolishing a wing of the White House to build a new grand ballroom,» Democratic Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren posted to X in response to Trump’s Monday announcement.
«The White House became my home when I was twelve years old. I always understood that it wasn’t my ‘house’; it was The People’s House,» former first daughter Chelsea Clinton posted to X. «The erasure of the East Wing isn’t just about marble or plaster — it’s about President Trump again taking a wrecking ball to our heritage, while targeting our democracy, and the rule-of-law.»
A McCrery Architects rendering provided by the White House of the exterior of the new ballroom. (White House)
«I wanted to share this photo of my family standing by a historic part of the White House that was just torn down today by Trump,» New Jersey Sen. Andy Kim posted to X Monday. «We didn’t need a billionaire-funded ballroom to celebrate America. Disgusting what Trump is doing.»
HILLARY CLINTON FIRES UP VOTERS AGAINST TRUMP’S WHITE HOUSE BALLROOM CONSTRUCTION: ‘NOT HIS HOUSE»
The Trump administration repeatedly has hit back at the criticisms, including White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt saying on Fox News that presidents historically have wanted a large entertaining space at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
President Donald Trump shows an image of his planned ballroom as he meets with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Oct. 22, 2025. (Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images)
«Nearly every single president who’s lived in this beautiful White House behind me has made modernizations and renovations of their own,» Leavitt said on Fox News’ «Jesse Watters Primetime» Tuesday. «In fact, presidents for decades — in modern times — have joked about how they wished they had a larger event space here at the White House, something that could hold hundreds more people than the current East Room and State Dining Room.»
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«President Obama even complained that, during his tenure, he had to hold a state dinner on the South Lawn and rent a very expensive tent.»
donald trump,white house,democrats
INTERNACIONAL
Así funciona la ‘Tasa de Seguridad’ que fortalece la protección ciudadana en el Valle del Cauca
La Tasa de Seguridad se ha consolidado como un pilar esencial para el sostenimiento y desarrollo de los programas enfocados en la protección ciudadana, la convivencia y el fortalecimiento del orden público en el Valle del Cauca.
Según información de la Gobernación del Valle del Cauca, este tributo, puesto en marcha desde 2017, financia la mayor parte de los proyectos regionales de seguridad, convivencia y orden público, con una inversión acumulada que supera los 212 mil millones de pesos en los últimos ocho años.
En el contexto nacional, marcado por una crisis en seguridad y recortes en el sector defensa, el modelo vallecaucano ha sido ejemplo de resiliencia institucional y compromiso ciudadano, confirma la Gobernación.
La Tasa de Seguridad, creada por ordenanza departamental y recaudada a través de las facturas de energía de los estratos 4, 5 y 6, además de los sectores comercial, industrial y especial, nació como respuesta ante la necesidad de reforzar la capacidad institucional frente al aumento de la inseguridad en la región.
Este tributo contempla exenciones parciales para quienes utilizan energías renovables, bajo criterios de solidaridad y corresponsabilidad social.
Los recursos provenientes de la tasa han permitido dotar a la Fuerza Pública con tecnología, vehículos y equipos modernos. De acuerdo con la Gobernación, se han adquirido 300 motocicletas, 38 vehículos, 131 cámaras de videovigilancia, sistemas de reconocimiento de placas y 85 equipos de geolocalización, en beneficio de transportadores y lancheros en Buenaventura.
Asimismo, parte de los fondos se ha invertido en la renovación y construcción de infraestructuras estratégicas de Policía y Ejército en municipios como Jamundí, Paila Arriba (zona rural de Sevilla) y Barragán, en Tuluá.
Para la administración departamental, este mecanismo es la principal fuente de financiamiento de los proyectos estratégicos de seguridad, permitiendo planificar y ejecutar iniciativas que impactan directamente en el bienestar de la población.
Más allá de la dotación material, la integración tecnológica ha marcado la diferencia. El sistema de monitoreo satelital permitió rescatar en altamar a 21 tripulantes del buque ‘Doña Sheiry’.
Con la puesta en marcha de los corredores seguros, el departamento ha fortalecido su capacidad operativa y de respuesta frente al delito. Estas acciones se tradujeron en avances concretos en materia de seguridad y justicia, respaldados por una inversión cercana a 983 millones de pesos en programas de incentivos y recompensas, según información de la Gobernación.
El modelo no ha estado exento de desafíos normativos. En julio de 2025, el Consejo de Estado declaró nula la ordenanza original de 2016. Sin embargo, la Gobernación aseguró la continuidad del recaudo a través de la Ordenanza N.º 692 de 2025, avalada por la legislación nacional, que extiende la vigencia hasta diciembre de 2032.
En un país donde la preocupación por la inseguridad va en aumento y el 36% de los colombianos identifica la seguridad como el principal problema nacional, según la encuesta Invamer. El Valle del Cauca optó por fortalecer sus capacidades preventivas y operativas, disminuidas, ante el recorte dado por el gobierno nacional al presupuesto de las fuerzas armadas.
La Gobernación destaca la Tasa de Seguridad como “una contribución democrática de los vallecaucanos para garantizar el bienestar y dignidad de soldados y policías”.
Adicionalmente, estos recursos, según lo informado por la Gobernación, han permitido la construcción del Centro de Gestión de Emergencias y Seguridad (CGES) en Buga, desde donde se coordinan y monitorean, en tiempo real, las operaciones de seguridad en 29 municipios.
El financiamiento de la Tasa de Seguridad ha permitido, según voceros oficiales, mitigar recortes nacionales, fortalecer programas de prevención y sostener la legitimidad institucional frente a la ciudadanía, garantizando, en tiempos complejos, la protección y tranquilidad de los habitantes del Valle del Cauca.
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Rubio slams UNRWA as a ‘subsidiary of Hamas,’ vows it will not ‘play any role’ in delivering aid to Gaza
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Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who arrived in Israel shortly after Vice President JD Vance left for Washington, railed against the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) amid the U.S.-brokered ceasefire.
«UNRWA’s not going to play any role in it,» Rubio said when asked about whether the controversial agency would assist in delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza. «The United Nations is here. They’re on the ground. We’re willing to work with them if they can make it work, but not UNRWA. UNRWA became a subsidiary of Hamas.»
UNRWA demanded in a post on X that it be allowed to do work in Gaza.
«As the largest U.N. agency operating in the Gaza Strip, by far, UNRWA has an unparalleled logistical network, longstanding trust from the community, managing the distribution of supplies based on vulnerability and clear criteria. Our teams are ready, inside and outside Gaza. Let us work,» the agency wrote.
EXPERTS URGE TRUMP TO BAN TERROR-LINKED UN AGENCY FROM HIS GAZA PEACE PLAN
Secretary of State Marco Rubio listens to a question as he speaks to the media after visiting the Civil-Military Coordination Center in southern Israel on Oct. 24, 2025. (Fadel Senna/Pool via Reuters)
On Oct. 17, days after world leaders backed a U.S.-brokered ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) opened a Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC), which is where Rubio spoke on Friday.
The CMCC is located in southern Israel and will serve as the main hub for Gaza stabilization efforts. It will also oversee implementation of the ceasefire agreement and has an operations floor designed to track real-time developments in Gaza.
During the U.N. General Assembly (UNGA) last month, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres spoke at a meeting in support of UNRWA, saying that the agency has «made invaluable contributions to development, human rights, humanitarian action, and peace and security, including for Israel.»
«UNRWA is vital to any prospects for peace and stability in the region,» Guterres added.
UNRWA’s headquarters in Gaza City, Gaza, on Feb. 21, 2024. (Dawoud Abo Alkas/Anadolu via Getty Images)
US MILITARY TO OVERSEE NEXT PHASE OF PEACE DEAL FROM COORDINATION BASE IN ISRAEL
However, the U.S. and Israel have taken hard stances against the agency, particularly in the wake of the Oct. 7, 2023, massacre.
President Donald Trump in February reaffirmed the U.S.’s commitment to not fund UNRWA.
In the executive order, Trump said that «UNRWA has reportedly been infiltrated by members of groups long designated by the Secretary of State as foreign terrorist organizations, and UNRWA employees were involved in the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel.»
A Palestinian boy walks near an UNRWA school sheltering displaced people that was hit in an overnight Israeli strike in Gaza City on July 5, 2025. (Dawoud Abu Alkas/Reuters)
UNRWA SCHOOLS ‘HIJACKED BY HAMAS,’ WATCHDOG REPORT WARNS
In April 2025, when the International Court of Justice (ICJ) demanded Israel work with UNRWA, Washington backed Jerusalem, saying it was under no obligation to work with the agency and had «ample grounds to question UNRWA’s impartiality.»
UNRWA announced in August 2024 the end of an investigation by the Office of Internal Oversight Services into whether its staff participated in the attacks, as Israel claimed. Following the probe, which looked into 19 UNRWA staff members, nine staff members were fired over evidence that «could indicate» they were involved in the attacks.
The investigation found one case in which there was no evidence to confirm the staffer’s involvement and nine other cases in which «the evidence obtained by OIOS was insufficient» to prove their participation, according to UNRWA.
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Fox News Digital reached out to UNRWA and Israel’s mission to the U.N. for comment.
Fox News Digital’s Alexandra Koch contributed to this report.
israel,secretary of state,marco rubio,united nations
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