In the ruling, the high court struck down a California rule that required all non-profit charities to disclose the identity and information of their biggest donors.
That requirement would impact every non-profit who receives donations from Californians, so the legal challenge to kill the rule was cheered by left-wing groups such as the ACLU, the famously far-left legal firm, the homosexual-rights group Human Rights Campaign, and many more.
"I've been litigating U.S. Supreme Court cases for 15 years,” says John Bursh, an attorney with Alliance Defending Freedom, “and I can honestly say I've never seen such broad support across the spectrum, from groups like those and many others, all agreeing that was California was doing was wrong and unconstitutional. It was really extraordinary.”
Regarding the Thomas More law center itself, Bursch says attorneys have experienced threats and harassment, and one employee has even escaped two assassination attempts.
"You can understand why that confidentiality could be very, very important,” Bursh says. “So this was a win for all Americans who want to support causes that align with their values.”
Thursday's ruling was 6-3. Justices Sotomayor, Kagan, and Breyer issued a dissent.
"They really downplayed the importance of keeping confidential information confidential," Bursch says of the three justices.
