Supreme Court rejects Michigan woman's appeal over school's ban on 'Let's Go Brandon' sweatshirts
The Supreme Court rejected an appeal by a Michigan mother who said a school district violated her sons’ First Amendment rights by making them remove sweatshirts bearing “Let’s Go Brandon.” She had given them the clothing for Christmas in 2022.
A lower court upheld the school’s action, ruling that the phrase’s implied profanity could be restricted at school. The phrase became a coded insult aimed at then-President Joe Biden.
The mother’s lawyers argued that the wording contains no explicit profanity or sexual content, and that the lower court gave school officials too much discretion over political expression.
The district said lewd messages are inappropriate in school even when politically themed. The article also notes that students had worn clothing supporting Donald Trump or displaying “Make America Great Again” messages.
The Supreme Court’s refusal leaves the lower-court ruling in place. The article does not describe any further legal steps.
Key points
- The Supreme Court declined to consider the mother’s First Amendment appeal.
- A lower court said the school could prohibit the phrase because of its implied vulgarity.
- The district argued that lewd messages are unsuitable for school, including political ones.