October Term 2023 · Docket 22-324
Do school board members act as state officials when they block critics on personal social media?
School board members claim personal speech rights. Critics argue the board controls the platform and must follow state law.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official Court opinion was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
Mr. Mooppan argued for the board members. He stated that public officials remain private citizens. He claimed they retain First Amendment rights on personal property.
Mr. Joshi argued for the critics. He agreed that duty and authority determine capacity. He urged the Court to focus on property access denials.
Ms. Karlan argued for the critics. She cited the district court finding. She noted that receiving feedback is part of the trustees' duties.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 13-41 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 13-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 19-29 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 19-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 51-15 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 51-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 7-11 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 7-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 115, lines 31-1 — Transcript, file page 115, lines 31-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 37-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-7 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 41-9 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 41-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 23-35 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 23-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 9-15 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 9-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 13-17 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 13-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 37-41 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 37-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 9-29 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 9-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 15-21 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 15-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 23-35 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 23-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 53-7 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 53-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 35-13 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 35-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 7-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 35-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 41-11 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 41-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 47-1 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 47-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 27-29 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 27-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 31-47 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 31-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 23-33 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 23-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 21-33 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 21-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 45-7 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 45-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 25-29 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 25-29
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
School board members blocked critics on a personal Facebook page. Critics sued under federal civil rights law. The lower court ruled the board acted as state officials. The board members seek reversal.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 115, lines 31-1 — Transcript, file page 115, lines 31-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-7 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 41-9 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 41-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 13-17 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 13-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 21-33 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 21-33
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on October 31, 2023.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 41-11 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 41-11
What each side wants
The board members want the Court to rule that personal social media posts are private speech. They seek to dismiss the civil rights lawsuit.
The critics want the Court to rule that the board members acted as state officials. They seek to keep the civil rights lawsuit alive.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 115, lines 31-1 — Transcript, file page 115, lines 31-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-7 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 41-9 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 41-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 13-17 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 13-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 21-33 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 21-33
What each side says
The board members argue they retain First Amendment rights when acting in a personal capacity. They claim they can decide who participates in their own community discussions.
The critics argue the board members had a duty to receive constituent feedback. They claim the board controlled the platform and acted as state officials.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 115, lines 31-1 — Transcript, file page 115, lines 31-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-7 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 41-9 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 41-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 13-17 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 13-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 21-33 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 21-33
What the justices asked
Justice Thomas asked if the source of the site changes the analysis. He asked if a school board official site differs from a personal one.
Chief Justice Roberts asked if the test applies site-by-site or message-by-message. He asked how much blocking triggers state action status.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 13-41 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 13-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 19-29 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 19-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 51-15 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 51-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 7-11 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 7-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 37-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 23-35 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 23-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 9-15 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 9-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 37-41 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 37-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 9-29 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 9-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 15-21 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 15-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 23-35 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 23-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 53-7 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 53-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 35-13 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 35-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 7-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 35-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 41-11 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 41-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 47-1 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 47-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 27-29 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 27-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 31-47 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 31-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 23-33 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 23-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 45-7 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 45-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 25-29 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 25-29
Why it matters
This case defines the boundary between private speech and state action. It determines whether public officials can exclude critics from personal online forums. The outcome shapes civil rights enforcement in digital spaces.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 115, lines 31-1 — Transcript, file page 115, lines 31-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-7 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 41-9 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 41-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 13-17 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 13-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 21-33 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 21-33
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 13-41 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 13-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 19-29 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 19-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 51-15 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 51-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 7-11 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 7-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 37-39 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 37-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 23-35 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 23-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 9-15 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 9-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 37-41 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 37-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 9-29 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 9-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 15-21 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 15-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 23-35 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 23-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 53-7 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 53-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 35-13 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 35-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 7-17 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 7-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 35-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 41-11 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 41-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 47-1 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 47-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 27-29 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 27-29
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 31-47 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 31-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 23-33 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 23-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 45-7 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 45-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 25-29 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 25-29
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Verified official opinions and orders
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 115, lines 31-1 — Transcript, file page 115, lines 31-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-7 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 41-9 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 41-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 13-17 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 13-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 21-33 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 21-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 115, lines 31-1 — Transcript, file page 115, lines 31-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-7 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 41-9 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 41-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 13-17 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 13-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 78, lines 21-33 — Transcript, file page 78, lines 21-33
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.