The SCOTUS Just Bid Us “Happy Summer!” With a Slew of Shameful Decisions — Part III: Criminalizing Homelessness
Before leaving on summer vacation, the almighty unelected black-robed monarchs on the United States Supreme Court (SCOTUS) handed down some pretty awful decisions.
As explained in part one, it overturned “the Chevron deference,” the 40-year-old decision that authorized federal agencies to appropriately operate within the scope of existing legislation if that legislation does not specifically prohibit rules from being enacted.
As explained in part two, SCOTUS ruled 6–3 that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) overreached when it presented federal charges against hundreds of supporters of the former president who attacked the U.S. Capitol.
In another disgusting display, the almighty unelected black-robed monarchs with lifetime appointments decided 6–3 in the Grants Pass v. Johnson case that permits municipalities in the western United States to criminalize unhoused people sleeping outdoors even when no access to shelter is available. This reverses an appeals court ruling striking down local ordinances that fined people $295 for sleeping outside.
In the majority opinion, Justice Neil Gorsuch explained:
Homelessness is complex. Its causes are many. So may be…
