U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Photo: Diego M. Radzinschi/ALMDC Circuit Revives Firefighters' Religious Freedom Litigation in Facial Hair Policy Row
"The district court had no general discretion to excuse civil contempt," Judge Neomi Rao wrote for the D.C. Circuit. "Although there is no general discretion to excuse violations of the 2007 injunction, the district court has discretion in assessing whether a violation has occurred."
January 29, 2025 at 04:04 PM
3 minute read
What You Need to Know
- Judge Neomi Rao wrote the D.C. Circuit opinion tossing out a trial court judgment in a religious freedom case involving bearded firefighters.
- Covington & Burling and the First Liberty Institute represented four firefighters in their successful appeal reviving their litigation.
- The plaintiffs allege the D.C. fire department violated a 2007 permanent injunction prohibiting the department from imposing facial grooming practices against bearded plaintiffs.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit has revived a plaintiffs’ contempt motion in a case accusing the D.C. fire department of enforcing facial hair policies in violation of a permanent injunction that protects religious freedom.
Covington & Burling and the First Liberty Institute represented four firefighters in the appeal alleging D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services violated a 2007 court order prohibiting the local government from imposing facial grooming practices against bearded plaintiffs who objected on religious grounds.
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