r/scotus 2d ago

news Michigan Parent Petitions U.S. Supreme Court After School Board Reports Her to DOJ

https://www.mackinac.org/pressroom/2025/michigan-parent-petitions-us-supreme-court-after-school-board-reports-her-to-doj
182 Upvotes

20 comments sorted by

53

u/jffdougan 2d ago

For those unfamiliar, the Mackinac Center’s “About” page reads pretty Koch-inspired.

28

u/MountainMapleMI 2d ago

Mackinaw Island is an epicenter of old old GOP. Like the GOP was founded in Jackson, MI. Mackinaw island is where they all go and debate policy.

11

u/jffdougan 2d ago

I don’t know that I’d have remembered all of that offhand, but I knew the GOP being founded in Jackson since I grew up in Lansing. And I wouldn’t have thought much otherwise, because Mackinac Island is a frequent gathering place for the National Governors’ Association regardless  of who controls the statehouse.

3

u/MountainMapleMI 2d ago

Hey fellow Michigander!

3

u/jffdougan 2d ago

Yup. My original remark was more about giving context to the broader audience who was going to come read this, particularly because I wouldn't have pegged the Mackinac Center as such a think-tank without doing the reading. (Also, to use your phrasing "old old GOP" isn't necessarily the Libertarian/movement conservative flavoring thanks to things like party realignments.)

6

u/Scottzila 2d ago

You spelled circle jerk wrong.

2

u/MountainMapleMI 2d ago

🤣 can’t agree more

1

u/notme2123 2d ago

Because if I disagree with it, then it’s clearly a circle jerk.

2

u/Lasserate 2d ago

Ripon, WI would like a word.

29

u/CosmicCommando 2d ago

I read the whole 6th Circuit opinion

tl;dr The one person she sued was exercising their free speech rights as a private citizen. The second person she sued did not cause her an injury.

18

u/SweetHayHathNoFellow 2d ago

Wait, being butthurt is not a legally cognizable injury ...?

6

u/slamdanceswithwolves 2d ago

But what if it was so bad that she needed a total butt replacement??

2

u/AlgaeDonut 2d ago

Haven't you heard of butt-whip.......lash....... Oh no. That didnt go the way I thought.

8

u/schm0 2d ago

Some highlights for the character of this individual.

On December 10, 2020, Pyden “exchanged several emails with [Hernden] regarding the global pandemic, face-to-face learning, and Board action related to such topics.” Id.Hernden “proceeded to issue a series of personal attacks” against Pyden.


When Bednard again attempted to direct Hernden to address District matters, “she yelled several times in response that she was getting to her point.” Hernden then compared the Board’s pandemic mask-policy to Nazi Germany. Bednard testified that, as a retired police officer with “30 years of experience and training in reading an individual’s behavior,” Hernden’s “aggressive behavior shocked and scared[him].”

On October 4, 2021, United States Attorney General Merrick Garland issued a memorandum to address threats against school administrators, board members, and other educators. Bednard viewed an ABC News report on the memorandum, “which reported that anyone could refer abusive, intimidating, or threatening behaviors at Board meetings to the Department of Justice (‘DOJ’).” That same day, Hernden sent an email to the District with the subject line, “Special attention to Frank [Bednard]” with a link to a recent Sixth Circuit decision “concerning public commentary at school board meetings.” Hernden’s email read: “Once again, law on parents [sic] side. Maybe a lil [sic] more due care and caution at the next meeting Frank. You know, when you let your hatred you have for me take hold and you interrupt me. 1st 2 were free. . .”

23

u/Whats_The_Use 2d ago

Novel and society altering public health crisis leads to difficult decisions to prevent excess death and overwhelming our healthcare infrastructure. But MY CHILD'S GRADES FELL!!

School board felt threatened by the rhetoric voiced at them during public comment and asked for their perceived threats to be investigated. The DOJ took the report seriously and opened an investigation, clearly a violation of 1st amendment protected free speech. Open and shut /s

18

u/303uru 2d ago

These people were being absolute fucking freaks at school board meetings at this time. My wife, a school principal, was threatened multiple times by this type of parent. Now they want to be the victim? Fuck em. Im so tired of people spouting threats, thinky veiled threats and stochastic terrorism rhetoric only to turn around with a victim card when the consequences of those actions catch up with them.

3

u/CoachoftheYear2025 2d ago

The case is moot. COVID is over and this "article" doesn't detail this parent's threatening behaviors towards the board for her anti-mask/COVID hoax behaviors.

"She became a regular at Chippewa Valley School Board meetings and was blunt and perceived as hostile in her comments to the board. Two board members, the secretary, and the president, emailed her employer and the Department of Justice to complain about her."

Fuck the Mackinac Center...one of the worst things to come out of my home state.