Key facts
- Amanda McGonigle, who runs the popular Instagram account 'CatsOnACouch', has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Secret Service.
- McGonigle alleges she was unconstitutionally barred from attending a U.S. Vice President JD Vance event in Bangor, Maine.
- The exclusion occurred because of her social media content, which mocks Vance and his past comments about 'childless cat ladies'.
- Her lawyers from the American Civil Liberties Union argue the action violates the First Amendment's protection of free speech.
- The lawsuit seeks to prevent the Secret Service from barring McGonigle from future vice presidential events.
Amanda McGonigle, the owner of the popular Instagram account 'CatsOnACouch' with over 1.9 million followers, has filed a lawsuit alleging that she was unconstitutionally barred from attending a U.S. Vice President JD Vance event in Bangor, Maine. McGonigle's accounts feature political commentary and mockery of Vance, stemming from his past viral comments about 'childless cat ladies'.
According to the lawsuit filed in federal court, McGonigle followed proper registration protocols for the May 14 event, which was part of Vance's initiative on fraud crackdowns. However, while waiting in line, she was singled out by officials, including U.S. Secret Service agents, who informed her she was excluded because of her known stance and online criticism.
McGonigle's lawyers at the American Civil Liberties Union argue that her exclusion constitutes retaliation for her protected speech under the First Amendment. They are seeking a judicial order to prevent the Secret Service from barring her from future vice presidential events. The ACLU stated that punishing McGonigle for her satirical content is a significant blow to First Amendment rights.
Officials reportedly justified McGonigle's exclusion by claiming the event was private. However, her lawyers contend it was an official government event organized by the Executive Office of the President and partially funded by taxpayers.