Document ID: ./input/supremecourt_opinions/opinions/20pdf/20a96_e29g.pdf
Page Number: 6.0

Cite as:  592 U. S. ____ (2020) 

3 

GORSUCH, J., dissenting 

right  before  strict  scrutiny  applies.    See,  e.g.,  Kennedy  v. 
Bremerton School Dist., 586 U. S. ___, ___ (2019) (ALITO, J., 
statement respecting denial of certiorari); McConnell, Free 
Exercise  Revisionism  and  the  Smith  Decision,  57  U.  Chi. 
L. Rev. 1109, 1121–1122 (1990). 
  Rather  than  vacate  and  remand  in  light  of  these  prob-
lems, today’s majority denies relief.  On the merits, the ma-
jority suggests the applicants may not have “squarely” ad-
vanced  the  second  argument  about  “hybrid”  rights.    But 
however that may be, no one doubts the applicants have al-
ways pressed the first argument—that the Governor’s two 
EOs together discriminate against religion.  The Sixth Cir-
cuit’s  failure  to  engage  that  argument  is  alone  sufficient 
grounds for vacatur.  The majority disputes none of this but 
instead turns to an assessment of the equities.  Whatever 
the  problems  with  the  Sixth  Circuit’s  order,  it  says,  we 
should let this one go because this case is old news; winter 
break is coming soon, and the Governor’s decrees will expire 
in a few weeks, on January 4. 
  I would assess the equities differently.  The EOs remain 
in force, the dispute over them remains live, and the deci-
sion allowing them to stand is flawed.  Nothing prevents us 
from saying so; no one attempts to suggest this case is moot; 
and the applicants are entitled to a fair assessment of their 
rights under accurate legal rules.  The plaintiffs proceeded 
expeditiously in challenging the EOs; they have hardly sat 
on their rights.  Nor should a Governor be able to evade ju-
dicial review by issuing short-term edicts and then urging 
us  to  overlook  their  problems  only  because  one  edict  is 
about to expire while the next has yet to arrive.  Come Jan-
uary 4, a new school semester will be about to start, and the 
Governor has expressly told us that he reserves the right to 
issue more decrees like these if and when religious schools 
try to resume holding classes.  Rather than telling the par-
ties to renew their fight in a month, asking the Sixth Circuit 
to resolve the case now, under accurate legal rules, would