Maine Rep. Laurel Libby Seeks Supreme Court Intervention on Censure

Maine state representative Laurel Libby has appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court for emergency intervention after being censured by the state legislature over her social media posts opposing transgender athletes in girls' sports. The censure, enacted by a narrow vote, prohibits Libby from voting or speaking on the House floor until she issues a public apology, which she has refused to do, arguing it infringes on her First Amendment rights and disenfranchises her constituents. Libby’s lawsuit contends that the censure not only silences her but also denies representation to her district, as she has been unable to participate in legislative actions for over 60 days. Her requests for immediate relief have been denied by both a federal district judge and the First Circuit Court of Appeals, which found she had not demonstrated a likelihood of success. The lower court also cited legislative immunity in dismissing her claims against House Speaker Ryan Fecteau. Libby’s emergency application is now before Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, who may decide on the matter or refer it to the full Supreme Court.