A great thread that may help explain why the three liberals didn't join with Gorsuch and Thomas. This case was NOT litigated by the tribe itself, but by the Becket Fund—a conservative group that regularly argues for Christian supremacy and clearly saw this dispute as a vehicle for its broader aims. - ThreadSky

mjsdc.bsky.social • 4 days ago

A great thread that may help explain why the three liberals didn't join with Gorsuch and Thomas.

This case was NOT litigated by the tribe itself, but by the Becket Fund—a conservative group that regularly argues for Christian supremacy and clearly saw this dispute as a vehicle for its broader aims.

Reposted from Maggie Blackhawk

The Supreme Court denied cert today in a complicated and controversial case involving federal Indian law, Apache Stronghold. This case, brought by a nonprofit and not a Native nation, focused closely on the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (rights) over the treaty violations (power).

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leemarvinoswald.bsky.social•4 days ago

The Becket Fund gained fame for being the lawyers of Hobby Lobby, They get $ through dark money groups.

It’s an incestuous cesspool of right wing lawyers, groups, and dark money groups. Leonard Leo received their highest honor. Roger and Carrie Severino. Bill Barr.

A real rogues gallery.

tvbona.bsky.social•4 days ago

Um, yes the case was not litigated by the tribe but by … litigators.

Apache Stronghold was founded by a San Carlos tribal elder/former chair and the tribe and other tribes are at the center of the coalition.

Get your basic facts straight, you work for a name-brand outlet.

robert-e-630.bsky.social•4 days ago

Quick question- Was this a merits decision or a shadow docket decision?

esilverman80.bsky.social•4 days ago

It was a denial of certiorari.

robert-e-630.bsky.social•4 days ago

Thanks

ceindeed.bsky.social•4 days ago

A good rule of thumb is to NEVER join Alito and Thomas, in fairness.

freeagent85.bsky.social•4 days ago

I don’t like using people or groups as pawns, and it seems like that’s what’s happening on both sides. It’s gross that this level of political calculation is preventing the equal application of the law.

mvnixon.bsky.social•4 days ago

You should rethink that, Mark. Doesn’t explain why Roberts, Kavanaugh & Coney Barrett tacit on this Indigenous peoples’ human rights case.

mjsdc.bsky.social•4 days ago

Becket Fund is also litigating Mahmoud v. Taylor, a case this term that seeks to give religious parents a veto over LGBTQ books in public schools. It is a conservative group whose ultimate goal is ALWAYS the expansion of Christian supremacy at the expense of others' rights.
https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2025/04/supreme-court-preview-alito-thomas-lgbtq-censorship.html

jim-hughes.bsky.social•4 days ago

And Thomas and Alito are just the scum to be on their side and put them above the law.

bachlvrdwb.bsky.social•4 days ago

The right wingers on the court are always going to twist legal reasoning in whatever way they can to do what they've been bought - oops, I mean taught... ok, either/or - to do: plunge the constitution down the drain and hand over the US to the right as a new kingdom of oligarchs.

jeffholcomb.bsky.social•4 days ago

Important background. Thank you.

camvogt.bsky.social•4 days ago

Shouldn’t all of this be a violation of freedom of expression? They’re putting their beliefs before everyone else.

redstateliberal.bsky.social•4 days ago

And non religious parents can object to the 10 commandments and prayers being in the classroom? Object to overtly Christian books in the school library?

alexanderwinn.bsky.social•4 days ago

>And non religious parents can object to the 10 commandments and prayers being in the classroom?

Uh yeah, the Court's precedents on the 10 commandments and on school prayer haven't gone anywhere.

skiidaho.bsky.social•4 days ago

How many decades will it take to undo all the damage this court has inflicted upon our democracy?

alexanderwinn.bsky.social•4 days ago

>Always about Christian supremacy
>Discussion of a case involving native Indian religious practices
>Oh but they're bringing this other case
>Lead plaintiff is called Mahmoud.

Yeah if you cannot discern the irony here and the utter nonsense I cannot help you. Pathetic stuff even for you today.

mvnixon.bsky.social•4 days ago

Those parents of various faiths just want to be able to opt their children out of those readings, Mark, not have "a veto over LGBTQ books in public schools."

You're really off target on this line of things over the Apache Stronghold's petition denial & what's really going on in the Mahmoud case.

sandy2950.bsky.social•4 days ago

If these "Christians" don't like public schools they are allowed, indeed encouraged to start their own private schools. Then they can control the minds of their own children, and leave the rest of us alone!!

mjsdc.bsky.social•4 days ago

Becket seized upon the Apache Stronghold case to further its broader goal of turbocharging "religious freedom" rather than litigating it on the basis of tribal sovereignty and treaty guarantees. I suspect the three liberal justices were wary of this strategy and withheld their votes for that reason.

robertswartz.bsky.social•4 days ago

Apparently the tribe already had an unsuccessful case?

mvnixon.bsky.social•4 days ago

You’re mistaken, Mark.

nancyworld.bsky.social•4 days ago

Why? I live near the Tonto National Forest, have followed this case off and on, and am curious.

brianwilcox.bsky.social•4 days ago

Any idea why Alito sat this one out?

mjsdc.bsky.social•4 days ago

Probably his holdings in energy stock

mvnixon.bsky.social•4 days ago

“Conservative Justice Samuel Alito did not participate in the decision. While the court did not give a reason, Alito's 2023 financial disclosure report stated he held investments in BHP.”

https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/us-supreme-court-spurns-native-american-challenge-rio-tintos-arizona-copper-2025-05-27/

matthewmartin21523.bsky.social•4 days ago

Ok, but can we let the other parents refuse to allow any religious texts at all in schools? Any at all. I mean, no fucking religion at all, like it's supposed to be. Stop spreading your religious indoctrination to our schools. You have a church or temple, go there.

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