Court Blocks Alabama Map
Is the court correcting a case of racial discrimination against Black voters or is it overreaching while ignoring Supreme Court precedent?
Above: "Vote Here" signage outside a polling location in Mobile, Alabama on May 19. Image credit: Micah Green/Bloomberg/Getty Images
The Spin
Democratic narrative
The lower federal court, which includes two Trump-appointed judges, ruled correctly. Alabama Republicans defied federal court orders, the Constitution and the Voting Rights Act just to hold onto power. This ruling makes clear that racial discrimination in redistricting won't be tolerated, but there's still more work to be done.
Republican narrative
This ruling completely contradicts SCOTUS' Callais ruling and when lower courts ignore the plain meaning of SCOTUS' decisions, that's a serious threat to the rule of law. Alabama's appeal will give Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito the opportunity to end racial gerrymandering nationwide once and for all.
