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The Supreme Court appears to side with parents in religious liberty dispute over storybooks
The Supreme Court’s conservative majority offered strong support for parents seeking the religious liberty right to be informed about and opt their children out of reading material in elementary schools that they say conflicts with their faith.
The Montgomery County, Maryland school board withdrew its original opt-out policy for books related to gender and sexuality, prompting a federal lawsuit.
In a marathon two-and-a-half oral argument, the justices debated whether parents have been unfairly burdened in exercising their constitutional rights.
It is one of three high-profile religious-themed cases the high court will decide this term—including disputes over tax exemptions for religious groups, and taxpayer funding for private religious charter schools—which will be argued next week.
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Justice Sonia Sotomayor and her liberal colleagues appeared to back the county’s position on the storybooks. She noted a lower appeals court had refused a preliminary injunction to temporarily reinstate the opt-out policy.
«They never reached the issue of whether or not there was disruption, or what the motive was for taking away the opt out,» said Sotomayor. «What they decided was that there wasn’t coercion here, that there was mere exposure. I understood from the record that all that was required is that the books be put on the bookshelf. If that’s all that’s required, is that coercion?»
But Justice Samuel Alito echoed the views of several of his conservative colleagues, about returning to the previous policy that he said most schools around the country permit.
«What is the big deal about allowing them to opt out of this?» he asked.
Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito. (Erin Schaff/The New York Times via AP, Pool, File)
Alito also questioned the content of several of the books raised in the appeal dealing with same-sex marriage.
«I don’t think anybody can read that and say: well, this is just telling children that there are occasions when men marry other men,» said Alito. «It has a clear moral message, and it may be a good message. It’s just a message that a lot of religious people disagree with.»
Hundreds on both sides of the issue rallied outside the court, some carrying signs like «Let Parents Parent» and «Include All Families.»
The suburban Washington county introduced new books with LGBTQ+ characters and themes into the elementary school curriculum in 2022, as part of the district’s «inclusivity» initiative.
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One of the challenged storybooks raised in the appeals is «Prince & Knight,» described as a «modern fairy tale» for ages 4-8, of the two males falling in love after working together to battle a dragon threatening their kingdom, and later marrying.
Another book mentioned repeatedly in the court’s public session was «Uncle Bobby’s Wedding,» about a little girl’s reaction to her favorite relative’s plans to marry a man.
The school district refused to allow parents to opt out of their
Grace Morrison is one of the parents petitioning the Supreme Court to rule that a Maryland school district’s ban on parental opt-outs is unconstitutional. (Becket/Getty Images)
The school district refused to allow parents to opt out of their elementary school from the reading program – the same way older students can forego sex ed instruction.
While the school board initially allowed parents to keep their children out of this curriculum, the plaintiffs say officials quickly reversed course, announcing in March 2023 that exceptions would not be granted and that parents would not be notified before the books were introduced into their children’s classrooms. Officials cited increased absenteeism as one of the reasons for the change.
«We felt as parents that we would present these things to our children like we always have, when they’re ready to receive them. And especially a child with special needs, it’s even more difficult for her to understand,» said Grace Morrison, one of the plaintiffs. She and her husband, both Catholics, now homeschool their daughter, after the school refused an accommodation.
«Starting to present issues of gender ideology to a child like this could be extremely confusing and damaging, let alone to the faith that we’re raising her in,» she told Fox News Digital.
A federal appeals court ruled for the school district, concluding educators did not apply any pressure on children to abandon their religious beliefs, and «simply hearing about other views does not necessarily exert pressure to believe or act differently than one’s religious faith requires.»
State officials told the court that parents who choose to send their children to public school are not «coerced» simply by their classroom exposure there to religiously objectionable ideas.
The practical feasibility of an opt-out policy at was the key focus of the high court’s public session.
«Once we articulate a rule like that,» said Justice Elena Kagan, «it would be like, opt outs for everyone.»
SCOTUS HEARS ARGUMENTS OVER PARENTS’ FIGHT TO OPT CHILDREN OUT OF LGBTQ CURRICULUM
But Kagan also raised concerns about young children being exposed to some of the books offered in Montgomery County.
«I too, was struck by these young kids picture books and, on matters concerning sexuality. I suspect there are a lot of non-religious parents who weren’t all that thrilled about this.»
Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who noted he grew up in the affluent county and still lives there with his wife and two school-age daughters, said he was «mystified» at the why the county canceled its original opt-out policy.
Some on the bench raised concerns about a sweeping «a la carte» discretion parents would have to object to what goes in schools.
«What about a trans student in the classroom?» said Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. «There’s a student who’s in the class. Must the teacher notify the parents of the student’s existence and give them an opt out to not be in the same classroom with this child?»
Dozens of briefs were filed by advocacy groups on both sides of the issue, including competing coalitions of states and lawmakers.
Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson stands as she and members of the Supreme Court pose for a new group portrait following her addition, at the Supreme Court building in Washington, Oct. 7, 2022. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File )
Many educators say they should be given deference to develop lesson plans that reflect the community at large, and that navigating a flood of individual religious rights claims would make classroom instruction and collaboration extremely problematic.
Parents rights and religious groups counter impressionable children should not be forced to participate in reading activities that undermine their families’ teachings and spirituality. The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, representing the parents who sued, called the school policy «compelled instruction.»
The Trump administration is backing the parents, saying in a written brief the board’s no opt-out policy «compromises parents’ ability to act consistent with those [religious] beliefs regardless of whether their children feel pressured or coerced by the instruction.»
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The case is Mahmoud v. Taylor (24-297). A ruling is expected before the court’s summer recess in late June.
Kristine Parks and Jessica Sonkin contributed to this report.
US,Supreme Court,Supreme Court Oral Arguments,Politics,US Education,Education Controversies,First Amendment Religious Freedom
INTERNACIONAL
Israeli military arrests Greta Thunberg, flotilla activists after intercepting dozens of boats
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Israeli naval forces intercepted 39 vessels from a Gaza-bound aid flotilla on Thursday, detaining dozens of activists — including international climate activist Greta Thunberg and several European lawmakers, The Associated Press reported.
The Global Sumud Flotilla, which set out across the Mediterranean with more than 40 boats carrying about 500 activists, was the largest yet to attempt to break Israel’s blockade of the enclave, according to the AP.
The flotilla has since been reduced to a single vessel still headed toward Gaza. Organizers with the Global Sumud Flotilla said on X that the boat was last tracked only a few miles off Gaza’s coast before contact was lost. Activists told the AP that they believed the flotilla’s size would make it harder for Israeli forces to intercept every vessel.
Photos and surveillance footage captured the moment Israeli soldiers in helmets and night vision goggles boarded the flotilla. A photo from Israel’s foreign ministry showed Thunberg, the most prominent of the flotilla’s passengers, accompanied by soldiers following the interception. Israeli officials said those detained included Thunberg, former Barcelona Mayor Ada Colau and European Parliament member Rima Hassan, according to the AP.
ISRAEL CLAIMS GRETA THUNBERG’S FLOTILLA SEEKING TO BREAK GAZA BLOCKADE HAS HAMAS TIES, CITES DOCUMENTS
Climate activist Greta Thunberg sits near an Israeli soldier after Israeli naval forces intercepted a Gaza-bound flotilla. (Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs )
Israel’s foreign ministry said on X that the activists were «safe and in good health» and would be transferred to Israel to be deported to Europe.
«The Hamas-Sumud provocation is over,» the Israel’s foreign ministry said in a post on X Thursday. «None of the Hamas-Sumud provocation yachts has succeeded in its attempt to enter an active combat zone or breach the lawful naval blockade. All the passengers are safe and in good health. They are making their way safely to Israel, from where they will be deported to Europe.»
«One last vessel of this provocation remains at a distance,» the post added. «If it approaches, its attempt to enter an active combat zone and breach the blockade will also be prevented.»
ITALY’S MELONI SAYS GAZA FLOTILLA RISKS ESCALATION, COULD ‘BLOW UP’ POTENTIAL CEASEFIRE DEAL
Israeli forces stormed a Global Sumud Flotilla vessel on Oct. 2, 2025, as the boat attempted to sail toward Gaza. (Global Sumud Flotilla via AP)
News of the interception also drew condemnation and sparked demonstrations in cities including Rome, Naples, Istanbul, Athens and Buenos Aires, the AP said. Italy’s largest trade union announced a one-day general strike for Friday in protest, while more rallies were expected across the globe on Thursday, the outlet added.
Anti-Israel activists aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla, including climate activist Greta Thunberg, before the vessels were intercepted by Israeli forces. (Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
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The flotilla is part of a series of international efforts to challenge Israel’s blockade, which has been in place since 2007 after Hamas took control of Gaza. Previous attempts by activist flotillas to break the blockade have largely failed and sometimes sparked deadly clashes, including during the 2010 Gaza Freedom Flotilla raid.
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Global Sumud Flotilla did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.
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INTERNACIONAL
El éxodo de la ciudad de Gaza está desbordando los esfuerzos de socorro, según las agencias de ayuda
Palestinos huyen hacia el sur de la Ciudad de Gaza el 24 de septiembre de 2025. En medio del ataque terrestre del ejército israelí contra la Ciudad de Gaza, la enorme afluencia de gazatíes que huyen hacia el sur ha sobrecargado aún más los servicios humanitarios, que, según organizaciones de ayuda, eran insuficientes incluso antes de la llegada de muchos miles más. (Saher Alghorra/The New York Times)Actitud
Organización
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Media bashes Trump admin messaging for pinning shutdown on Dems, White House fires back
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EXCLUSIVE: The White House responded to various reports that President Donald Trump’s administration is breaking federal law by including commentary that blames Senate Democrats for the government shutdown in out-of-office emails and letters furloughing federal employees.
A number of reports suggested that including partisan messaging in official emails and communication channels could be a violation of the Anti-Lobbying Act, which prevents federal funding from being used in lobbying efforts.
«The Trump Administration is committed to sharing the truth with the American people, and it’s simply a fact that the Democrats shut down the government,» White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson told Fox News Digital. «Democrats opposed the clean CR that they supported just 6 months ago and 13 times under the Biden Administration because they want free health care for illegal aliens.»
President Trump’s White House denied claims that blaming Democrats for the shutdown breaks federal law. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)
WHITE HOUSE PREPARES FOR ‘IMMINENT’ FEDERAL LAYOFFS AFTER DEMOCRATS FORCE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN
«And now, the Democrats are upset the Administration is sharing the truth — they are desperately trying to lie to the American people because they know their shutdown is hurting families and workers around the country,» Jackson added. «Unfortunately for the Democrats, facts are facts.»
Atop the Department of Justice website, a red banner reads: «Democrats have shut down the government. Department of Justice websites are not currently regularly updated.»
Fox News Digital obtained a DOJ memo which was sent to all employees of the agency outlining the plan for furloughing federal employees in the event of a shutdown, stating DOJ «has contingency plans in place for executing an orderly shutdown of activities that would be affected by any lapse in appropriations forced by Congressional Democrats.»
The Department of Justice sent out an internal memo blaming Democrats for the shutdown and detailing what furloughing employees would look like. (DOJ)
JOHNSON SAYS SCHUMER HANDED TRUMP ‘KEYS TO THE KINGDOM’ WITH GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN DECISION
«Unfortunately, Democrats are blocking this Continuing Resolution in the U.S. Senate due to unrelated policy demands,» the memo continues. «A funding lapse will result in certain Department activities ceasing due to a lack of appropriated funding, and designated pre-notified employees will be furloughed subject to certain laws and regulations.»
On visiting the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) website, a pop-up appears on the center page reading that reads: «The Radical Left in Congress shut down the government. HUD will use available resources to help Americans in need.»
Reports also suggested that the administration may be in violation of the Hatch Act, a federal law that prevents tax dollars from being spent in a partisan or politically biased manner, as a result of the messaging.
The HUD website directs blame to Democrats for the government shutdown. (HUD)
SHUTDOWN EXPLAINED: WHO WORKS, WHO DOESN’T AND HOW MUCH IT COSTS
Legal expert Andrew Cherkasy, co-founder of Golden Law, Inc. and former Air Force JAG, told Fox News Digital that «the Hatch Act does not apply to the President or Vice President. It does apply to most other federal employees.»
«The law is intended to prohibit government officials from using their official authority to interfere with, or affect elections,» Cherkasky explained. «The President of the United States and his agents under his authority have an unquestionable constitutional right to speak directly to the American people about what is happening in their government and who is responsible for it.»
The Hatch Act, which was signed into law in 1939, is enforced by the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC), and is also designed to keep federal employees from influencing or interfering with elections while working in any official capacity.
A demonstrator holds a sign protesting the government shutdown at the James V. Hansen Federal Building on Jan. 10, 2019, in Ogden, Utah. (Natalie Behring/Getty Images)
BLAME GAME: GOP SPOTLIGHTS ‘SCHUMER SHUTDOWN’ WHILE DEMS LASH OUT AT REPUBLICANS AHEAD OF 2026 MIDTERMS
«For years, unelected bureaucrats and left-leaning agencies openly leaked, editorialized, and interfered in policy debates without consequence,» Cherkasky told Fox. «The Hatch Act does not prohibit the President from holding democrats accountable for shutting down the government.»
The Biden Administration also partook in messaging that pushed certain legislation. Biden’s Office of Management and Budget issued a statement regarding the Right to IVF Act last June, stating: «When the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade nearly two years ago, it paved the way for Republican elected officials’ extreme, out-of-touch agenda, which has eroded access to reproductive health care for families across the country.»
The Obama Administration issued similar messaging in 2013 specifically blaming Republicans for a government shutdown threat, saying «House Republicans are pushing the Government toward shutdown.»
The federal government entered a partial shutdown at midnight Wednesday morning after a bill that would fund the government through Nov. 21 failed in the Senate.
Senate Democrats pushed for Obamacare subsidies that were set to expire to be included in the legislation, and reportedly felt sidelined in negotiations surrounding government funding.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., attends a news conference about the government shutdown, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025, on Capitol Hill, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
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Despite a Republican majority in both the House and the Senate, the spending bill requires 60 votes to pass in the Senate, meaning some Democrat senators will need to break ranks with Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to prevent the bill from failing.
Preston Mizell is a writer with Fox News Digital covering breaking news. Story tips can be sent to Preston.Mizell@fox.com and on X @MizellPreston
white house,donald trump,government shutdown,democrats senate,chuck schumer
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