U.S. Supreme Court Turns Away Religious Clash Over Transit Ads

A Washington Metro bus driver passes along a route wearing a face mask, as Mayor Muriel Bowser issued a State of Emergency in response to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Washington, U.S., March 20, 2020. | Credit: Reuters by Tom Brenner

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear a religious rights dispute brought by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington against the Washington area transit authority over its policy barring advertisements in its stations and on buses and trains on divisive issues including religion.

The conservative-majority court, usually receptive to religious rights claims, declined to review the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s 2015 policy that bars political, religious and advocacy advertisements in the transportation system that serves the U.S. capital region.

One of the nine justices, conservative Brett Kavanaugh, would not have been able to participate due to his prior service on a court that previously dealt with the case. That means the Supreme Court could have turned out to be split 4-4 between its liberal and conservative justices, leaving the conservative majority unable to ensure a victory in the case.