Supreme Court declines Title VII vaccine-exemption case in Doe v. Hochul
Supreme Court denied cert June 29, 2026 in Doe v. Hochul, leaving in place lower-court rules for Title VII religious-exemption claims in healthcare.
Civil rights
-
-
States Sue to Block End-of-July Mental Health Grant Termination Plan
Oregon and California AGs filed a July 10 lawsuit asking for a preliminary injunction to stop Education’s end-of-July mental health grant cuts.
-
DOJ updates religious-liberty guidance July 7, 2026: what agencies are told
United States – DOJ Civil Rights updated religious-liberty postings July 7, 2026, spotlighting an AG memo and DOJ instructions for federal agencies and courts.
-
DOJ charges man in Northeast Philadelphia Islamic Center arson—what it signals
DOJ filed federal arson charges tied to a July 5 incident at the Northeast Philadelphia Islamic Center, with penalties up to 20 years and a 5-year minimum if convicted.
-
Federal judge ends Edna Mahan consent-decree oversight—what changes next
A federal judge terminated Edna Mahan’s 2021 consent decree on July 15, ending court-supervised federal oversight. DOJ says reforms were sustained—what now?
-
First Circuit rejects Maine religious-school exemption; remand for injunction
On July 2, 2026, the First Circuit ruled that Maine can require religious schools taking tuition aid to follow the MHRA—except it ordered an injunction for Crosspoint.
-
House Oversight probes “DEI” in universities and workplaces: witnesses and claims
A House Oversight Task Force hearing on July 14 pressed civil-rights questions about whether “DEI” policies mask race and sex discrimination.
-
DOJ Religious Liberty Commission draft comment period closes July 13—what to watch next
United States Religion Government and Civil Rights – DOJ says the Religious Liberty Commission’s 224-page draft comment period closed Monday, July 13, 2026.
-
Former deputy U.S. marshal sentenced for assault on a shackled federal prisoner
Joshua Firmin was sentenced to 45 months after DOJ says he assaulted a shackled federal prisoner and falsified a use-of-force report.
-
OCR launches national K-12 push against “passing the trash”—parent checklist
On July 10, 2026, OCR launched a national K-12 initiative with 20 directed investigations tied to 2023–24 CRDC—plus guidance for Title IX compliance.
-
U.S. amicus in St. Mary Catholic Parish v. Roy urges clearer Free Exercise test
On July 2, the U.S. filed an amicus in St. Mary Catholic Parish v. Roy (No. 25-581), urging clearer Free Exercise rules for “universal preschool.”
-
ED–DOJ partnership announced June 30 to escalate FERPA parental-access enforcement
On June 30, ED said it began a DOJ partnership to enforce FERPA parental access to education records after Kansas City, Kansas findings.
-
DOJ ends McNair race/national-origin quotas: what changes for 2027–28
United States Education and Civil Rights Policy – DOJ says McNair reserved seats by race/national origin; settlement requires new 2027–28 admissions rules.
-
DOJ sues Virginia over “assault firearm” purchase ban—relief sought in court
DOJ filed suit July 1, 2026 challenging Virginia’s SB 749 “assault firearm” purchase/sale ban, asking an E.D. Va. judge to block enforcement.
-
U.S. Supreme Court in Trump v. Barbara: what happens next for birthright citizenship
United States Evening Courts and Rights Update — On June 30, 2026, the Supreme Court in Trump v. Barbara struck down EO 14160, reaffirming birthright citizenship for U.S.-born children.
-
Supreme Court upholds bans on transgender girls in school sports (Title IX)
United States Evening Courts and Rights Update – On June 30, Supreme Court upheld state bans barring transgender girls from girls’ and women’s sports under Title IX.
-
DOJ Closes Minnesota Title VI Review After State Ends Grant Program
United States Rights and Public Policy – DOJ says it closed a Title VI compliance review after Minnesota repealed the law behind its Capacity Strengthening Initiative.
-
DOJ warns states over noncitizens on voter rolls—5-day response demanded
DOJ Civil Rights sent letters warning states about noncitizens on voter rolls. Officials have 5 days to explain compliance and next steps.
-
Preliminary injunction blocks Philadelphia ‘ICE Out’ rules — federal officers
On July 2, a judge issued a preliminary injunction blocking Philadelphia from enforcing key “ICE Out” mask and ID rules against federal officers.
-
Supreme Court Declines Review in New York COVID Vaccine Religious-Accommodation Case
United States Religion Government and Civil Rights — June 29, 2026: Supreme Court declined review in Doe v. Hochul, leaving Title VII religious-accommodation dispute.
-
DOJ sues New York over federal mask/ID rules in supremacy fight
The Justice Department sued New York over rules limiting federal officers’ mask use, requiring IDs, and restricting 287(g) cooperation. Here’s what’s next.
-
DOJ sues Virginia and California in parallel Second Amendment cases
The Justice Department filed parallel July 1 lawsuits against Virginia and California, setting up new federal tests of state gun laws under the Second Amendment.
