1970s Jackson, Mississippi swimming pool case cited in @POTUS defense of travel ban

Trump cites Jackson pool ruling to defend travel ban

Jackson’s strategy of closing public swimming pools instead of integrating them in the 1970s has made its way into President Donald Trump’s defense of his travel ban on six Muslim-majority countries.

In a recent filing, Trump’s Justice Department briefly cited a 1971 Supreme Court decision in which justices ruled 5-4 that the pool closures were OK and that the Jackson officials’ motives in closing the pools should not dictate whether the action is unconstitutional.

Hence, Trump’s numerous calls for a “Muslim ban” on the campaign trail should not be considered in the suit challenging his travel ban, the attorneys argued. It’s too hard to determine intent, they suggested.

Clarion Ledger
5/9/17