2022 · Constitutional law
Kennedy v. Bremerton School District
Religious liberty · Free speech
The question
Did a school district violate a football coach’s First Amendment rights by disciplining his postgame prayer?
The outcome
The majority treated the challenged prayer as private religious expression protected by free exercise and free speech. The dissent disputed the majority’s factual framing and stressed students’ exposure to religious pressure.
See the votes & context
- Majority (6)
- John G. Roberts, Jr., Clarence Thomas, Samuel A. Alito, Jr., Neil M. Gorsuch, Brett M. Kavanaugh, Amy Coney Barrett
- Dissent (3)
- Stephen G. Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan
Sotomayor’s dissent was joined by Breyer and Kagan. Kavanaugh joined the Court’s opinion except Part III–B.
Only participating justices are assigned votes. Separate writings and partial joins can differ from the overall judgment.