Justices Seek to Avoid Politics in College Free Speech Case (1)

The justices seemed likely to side with a Texas community college board to affirm a legislative body’s ability to censure a member for unpopular speech without running afoul of the First Amendment.

The justices in particular were concerned that an alternative ruling would inappropriately involve courts in legislative affairs.

Requiring courts to decide how legislative bodies can police their own members would get the judiciary “involved in the rough and tumble of politics,” Justice Clarence Thomas said.

The only question after oral arguments on Tuesday seemed to be how far the court will go—namely, whether they will rule narrowly on ...