New Lawsuit on the Pledge of Allegiance

Last week, a new federal lawsuit was filed challenging the words under God in the Pledge of Allegiance.  Michael Newdow, who brought the original suit in California, has filed brand-new litigation.  This time, Dr. Newdow represents several families who are complaining about the phrase under God as contained in the Pledge.  At the same time, Dr. Newdow has filed suit against the Inaugural Prayer.  Our briefs have been filed in the Inaugural Prayer case, and argument in court is scheduled for Thursday.

Dr. Newdow has also indicated that he plans to file Pledge of Allegiance lawsuits in all of the circuit courts over the next twelve months.  This would mean that there could be as many as twelve cases in litigation involving the Pledge of Allegiance.  Since the Supreme Court did not decide the merits of the Pledge case last year, it is likely that if the California Court of Appeals once again declares the phrase under God unconstitutional, then the high court will hear the case.  I have just instructed our regional counsels and our team in Washington, DC, to prepare briefs on behalf of our members and members of Congress to be filed in each of these new Pledge of Allegiance cases.  I will keep you posted as these cases continue to develop.

We also anticipate a quick decision on the Inaugural Prayer case.  However, Dr. Newdow has indicated that he is going to take quick appeals all the way to the Supreme Court of the United States on the Inaugural Prayer issue.  Check out the website for further developments.