Seventh Circuit Backs Coast Guard in 1st Amendment Fight Over LinkedIn Posts
Updated
Updated · Bloomberg Law · Jun 3
Seventh Circuit Backs Coast Guard in 1st Amendment Fight Over LinkedIn Posts
2 articles · Updated · Bloomberg Law · Jun 3
Summary
A Seventh Circuit panel upheld summary judgment for the Coast Guard, rejecting a First Amendment retaliation claim by a former vice flotilla commander removed from the Coast Guard Auxiliary.
LinkedIn posts made while he was in uniform drove the dispute, with the court finding the statements inappropriate enough to implicate the service's discipline and public image.
Applying the Connick-Pickering balancing test, the court ruled the Coast Guard's interest in maintaining discipline and public confidence outweighed the officer's free-speech interest.
The decision leaves intact the commander's removal and reinforces broad deference to military-related agencies when member speech is seen as undermining order or trust.