Former President Donald Trump’s three appointees to the U.S. Supreme Court have a spotty record in the eyes of many on the right and Justice Amy Coney Barrett added to the disappointment on Thursday.
In the Supreme Court’s first look at a Covid-19 vaccine mandate, Barrett summarily rejected an emergency request from eight students to block a mandate from Indiana University. The justice oversees fast-track petitions from Indiana and denied the request without comment. She could have referred the case to the full high court for consideration.
The college is requiring students to be vaccinated unless they are exempt for religious or medical reasons, in which case they must wear masks and get tested regularly.
The policy, announced in May, applies to faculty and staff as well as students, with roughly 90,000 students and 40,000 employees on seven campuses required to get vaccinated for the fall semester.
NEW at SCOTUS: Indiana University students rebuffed by 7th circuit ask Court to block vaccination mandate pic.twitter.com/fgIXijt6Qq
— Steven Mazie (@stevenmazie) August 6, 2021
A three-judge 7th circuit appeals panel voted 3-0 against the students, who argued that they have “a constitutional right to bodily integrity, autonomy, and of medical treatment choice in the context of a vaccination mandate.”
The opinion was written by Judge Frank Easterbrook, a Ronald Reagan appointee. The other two appellate judges were appointed by Trump.
The panel cited a 1905 Supreme Court ruling that said states may require people to get vaccinated against smallpox, according to Bloomberg News. Saying the current case is “even easier,” Easterbrook noted that Indiana University allows religious and medical exemptions.
The judge further wrote that any student who doesn’t want to get the vaccine “may go elsewhere,” and that the plaintiffs “have ample educational opportunities.”
Barrett was widely cheered online, with many saying she did the right thing and that mandates should be required. Others claimed the case had little merit to begin with.
On the other hand, there were plenty of social media users who were disappointed in the decision, with a common theme being a reminder that the Covid vaccine has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration and is being administered through an emergency use authorization.
Here’s a sampling of some of those responses from Twitter:
She had been a huge disappointment. I wish Trump could redo this pick.
— politicalprofile (@poloticalprof) August 12, 2021
Well, that’s it. Personal choice and freedom are gone forever.
— Mengele_would_be_proud (@sodaguy9919) August 12, 2021
As a parent of a college student, I am furious!! Who takes responsibility in the event of an adverse reaction? Denying students the choice of what’s right for them and their bodies is UnAmerican. what’s next,a national bedtime ? Wake up people,this is just the beginning !!
— anita serra (@anitaserra3) August 12, 2021
Should not be mandating until full FDA approval is given on any of these. Current approval is for “emergency use authorization” only.
— Bob H (@ply17410) August 13, 2021
How can they mandate anything that has not been approved by the FDA? It’s only been approved for emergency use! Someone please correct me if I’m wrong.
— Brenda (Friend) Schmidling (@BrendaFriendSc1) August 13, 2021
It is still experimental and unapproved , it would be different if it had gone through the years of study like regular vaccines. For money and control over the US population.
— shawman77 (@ChefTim77) August 12, 2021
So, did she open the door to Roe vs. Wade? Denying those students the right to choose concerning their own body. Not saying it sets a precedent. But opens a door for debate. IMO
— Robert Huffman (@robbyhuffman) August 13, 2021
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The longest-tenured writer at BizPac Review, Tom grew up in Maryland before moving to Central Florida as a young teen. It is in the Sunshine State that he honed both his passion for politics and his writing skills.
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