Maine Attorney General Opposes Lawmaker’s Emergency Supreme Court Request
August 2023, Augusta — Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey has called on the U.S. Supreme Court to reject an emergency appeal from Rep. Laurel Libby, a censured state lawmaker seeking to restore her voting and speaking rights.
In a detailed 50-page brief, Attorney General Frey emphasized that Libby’s censure was in line with standard House procedures, which typically require lawmakers to issue a public apology, rather than recant their views. Libby, a Republican from Auburn, was punished following a controversial social media post featuring images of a transgender high school athlete, sparking safety concerns for both the individual and their school district.
Despite the censure, Libby remains adamant about her stance, refusing to comply with the requested apology, which would allow her to regain her rights. "This modest punishment is aimed at restoring the integrity of the legislative body," Frey stated.
Libby’s emergency appeal follows two unfavorable rulings from lower courts and was filed on April 28 with U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, who oversees emergency requests from the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. In her appeal, Libby argues that her censure infringes on her First Amendment rights and her right to due process under the 14th Amendment.
While Libby is barred from participating in House debates, she retains the ability to testify in legislative committees and introduce legislation. Her refusal to apologize has not only brought her national attention but also provided opportunities for fundraising. Recently, she participated in a press conference in Washington, D.C., alongside figures like U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, advocating against transgender participation in women’s sports.
This developing story will be updated as more information becomes available.
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