This case is about a clerical employee, Ardith McPherson, who worked in a law enforcement agency that was not available to the public

Vanessa

Rankin v. McPherson, 107 S. Ct. 2891 (1987)

This case is about a clerical employee, Ardith McPherson, who worked in a law enforcement agency that was not available to the public. This office was located in Harris County in Texas. The President of the United States, Ronald Reagan had someone attempt an assassination on March 30, 1981. While at work McPherson heard the news about the attempt assassination. She then began discussing the assassination with her coworker. During the brief conversation about the assassination, she brought up how she is not surprised that someone tried to assassinate the president. Her reasoning is because she believes the president’s support of reducing and eradicating the welfare programs (Medicaid and food stamps). McPherson then went on to say that if there would be another attempt that she wanted the second time to be successful. While McPherson was discussing this with another coworker, this conversation was overheard by another employee who informed Rankin (constable) of the statements. McPherson was brought in by Rankin to talk about the statements she made and the ultimately terminated McPherson. McPherson sued, her reasoning is that her being fired for her statements was a violation of her First Amendment right, freedom of speech.

I agree that this violated McPherson’s freedom of speech. She is not plotting the president’s death or anything in that nature. She is simply stating a remark and how she feels about the topic. You cannot punish someone for freedom of speech. Was that a proper place to have that type of conversation where it could be overheard? No but that does give Rankin the right to terminate her.
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