Cooper v. Aaron

1958

Venue: SCOTUS

Facts: After the president sent federal troops to Little Rock to enforce integration, the school board asked for an extension, because of all the chaos.

Posture: The school board filed a petition with the district court, after the district court enjoined the governor from obstructing integration.

Issue: Do state officials have the duty to obey federal court orders, and should this petition be granted?

Holding: Yes, and no.

Rule: The oath of office includes loyalty to the constitution. And constitutional rights are not to be abridged, even temporarily.

Reasoning: The constitution is the supreme law of the land. The USSC says what 14A means: attending school is a protected right. If that's a protected right, then it can't be nullified.

Dicta: The school board was probably acting in good faith-- times were pretty tough down there.