Supreme Court of the United States
Trinity Lutheran Church of Columbia, Inc., Petitioner v. Carol S. Comer
June 26, 2017582 U.S. 449
Summary
The Court reversed the Eighth Circuit, holding that Missouri’s exclusion of Trinity Lutheran Church from its Scrap Tire Program because the applicant is a church violates the Free Exercise Clause. The discrimination based on religious status triggers strict scrutiny, and the State’s anti‑establishment interest is not a compelling justification.
Holding
- Whether Missouri’s policy that excludes churches from the Scrap Tire Program violates the Free Exercise Clause.. Yes; the policy discriminates on the basis of religious status and is unconstitutional.
- Whether discrimination based on religious status is subject to strict scrutiny.. Yes; such discrimination is subject to the most exacting scrutiny.
- Whether Missouri’s anti‑establishment interest justifies the exclusion.. No; the interest is not a compelling state interest of the highest order.
Docket 15–577.