TGP v. Maricopa County

From Marc Randazza:

 

TGP v. MARICOPA

CASE DESCRIPTION:  In this case, Maricopa County had a tense relationship with The Gateway Pundit and its reporter, Jordan Conrad.  Prior reporting by Conrad and TGP led to the resignation of a Maricopa county official.  In the 2022 election, Maricopa County became the flashpoint for reporting on the election, and Maricopa decided to institute a “press pass” policy under the guise of claiming that it was to protect county officials.  However, Maricopa County used the vague press pass guidelines as a way to exclude TGP and Conradson, claiming that they were “biased” and were not “quality journalism.”   

TGP and Conradson sued in the District of Arizona, where Judge Tuchi denied a motion for injunctive relief, finding that the government’s actions were permissible under the First Amendment.  

TGP and Conradson appealed on an emergency basis to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, which immediately reversed on an emergency basis granting an injunction pending the outcome of the appeal, which it also expedited.  

A number of First Amendment and media organizations filed amicus briefs.  

The outcome is still pending.  

DOCS - 9th Circuit: 

1.  
2.  
3. TGP Emergency petition to 9th Circuit:
4. https://randazza.com/wp-content/uploads/Gateway-Injunction-Motion.pdf
5.  
6.  
7.  
8. Government Opposition to emergency petition:
9. https://randazza.com/wp-content/uploads/Gateway-Injunction-Opposition.pdf
10.  
11.  
12.  
13. TGP Reply:
    
    
14. https://randazza.com/wp-content/uploads/Gateway-Injunction-Reply.pdf
15.  
16.  
17.  
18. Order granting injunction pending appeal:
19. https://randazza.com/wp-content/uploads/Gateway-Pundit-CA9-Order.pdf
20.  
21.  
22.  
23. Opening Brief for Main Appeal: 
24. https://randazza.com/wp-content/uploads/TGP-Opening-Brief-CA9.pdf
25.  
26.  
27.  
28. Government Answering Brief - not yet filed
29.  
30.  
31.  
32.  
33. TGP Reply Brief - not yet filed 
34.  
35.  
36.  
37. AMICUS BRIEFS
38.  

1.  
2.  
3. St. Michael’s Media -
4. https://randazza.com/wp-content/uploads/TGP-Amicus-St.-Michaels.pdf
5.  

1.  
2.  
3. Conrad Communications -
4. https://randazza.com/wp-content/uploads/TGP-Amicus-Conrad-Communications.pdf
5.  

1.  
2.  
3. Stanton Foundation -
4. https://randazza.com/wp-content/uploads/TGP-Amicus-Stanton-Foundation.pdf
5.  

1.  
2.  
3. FIRE & the Brechner First Amendment Project -
4. https://randazza.com/wp-content/uploads/TGP-Amicus-1A-Project.pdf
5.  

1.  
2.  
3. The First Amendment Lawyers’ Association -
4. https://randazza.com/wp-content/uploads/TGP-Amicus-FALA.pdf
5.  

1.  
2.  
3. We the People -
4. https://randazza.com/wp-content/uploads/TGP-Amicus-We-the-People.pdf
5.  
6.  

DOCS - District Court:

1.  
2.  
3. Complaint -

• https://randazza.com/wp-content/uploads/Gateway-AZ-Complaint.pdf

1.  
2.  
3.  
4. Motion for TRO -

• https://randazza.com/wp-content/uploads/Gateway-AZ-TRO-Motion.pdf

1.  
2.  
3.  
4. Opposition -

• https://randazza.com/wp-content/uploads/017-Response-to-TRO-Motion.pdf

1.  
2.  
3.  
4. Transcript -
5. https://randazza.com/wp-content/uploads/Gateway-TRO-Transcript.pdf 
6.  
7.  
8.  
9. Order -
10. https://randazza.com/wp-content/uploads/Gateway-Order-re-TRO-Motion.pdf
11.  

PRESS: 

1.

AZ Central - Maricopa Can’t Block Gateway - https://archive.ph/ieR7U

2.

VOLOKH 

A.

Article - Amusing Passage … TRO

https://reason.com/volokh/2022/11/16/amusing-passage-from-gateway-pundits-motion-for-tro-to-get-press-credentials/

1. Article - Court Rules Against Press Pass - https://reason.com/volokh/2022/11/23/court-rules-against-the-gateway-pundit-in-request-for-press-pass/
2. Article - 9th Cir Orders Press Pass - https://reason.com/volokh/2022/12/06/ninth-circuit-orders-press-pass-for-the-gateway-pundit-pending-appeal/