Exclusive: 10 years ago, a day to remember for Obama
Ten years ago today, Barack Obama says, two events captured the "mourning and sadness" of America's divisions, as well as a "celebration of who we could be."
On June 26, 2015, Obama delivered a eulogy — and sang the opening lines of "Amazing Grace" — for the leader of a Black church in Charleston, S.C., one of nine victims of a shooting there.
Hours earlier, his team had lauded the Supreme Court's landmark ruling legalizing same-sex marriage.
Driving the news: In an interview with social media influencer Garrison Hayes out today, Obama calls that day a defining time for him and his administration.
Zoom in: Taken together, the events seemed to reflect some of the nation's racial and cultural divisions that many hoped Obama's presidency would bridge.
But in a video of the interview previewed by Axios, Obama tells Hayes that he was inspired by the examples of "courage" he saw that day, and the challenges it represented for the nation.
"I think what pulls it all together is that no one person did any of that. It was just a bunch of people figuring out how I can make something better," Obama says in the video.
Flashback: The day began with the high court's ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges, which required states to license and recognize same-sex marriage. It ended a long legal fight that had begun in Massachusetts and New Mexico a decade earlier.
The ruling was met with excitement among civil rights advocates and scorn by religious conservatives.
Rainbow colors lit up the White House that evening in celebration.
Obama traveled to Charleston, S.C., that day to deliver the eulogy for Clementa Pinckney, the slain pastor at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, who also was a state senator.
A week and a half earlier, a 21-year-old white supremacist fatally shot Pinckney and eight other church members during a Bible study class at Emanuel, the oldest AME church in the South.
"I didn't even want to talk," Obama told Hayes. "I was so mad. Part of the reason I think I ended up having anything to say at that moment was when I heard some of the victims' families forgive the shooter."
Zoom out: Eric Schultz, senior adviser to Obama, said the ex-president wanted to mark the 10th anniversary of these events by talking with a young online creator.
Schultz said the events "resonate today — namely that making progress in our democracy relies on ordinary people doing their best to make America a better place."
Hayes is an influencer with nearly a million followers on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube combined.
He produces innovative short documentaries on Black history, faith and politics.
The other side: The Obergefell anniversary arrives as some Republicans seek to have the Supreme Court revisit the decision and potentially overturn it.
The Southern Baptist Convention voted overwhelmingly this month to call for the overturning of the decision.
Yes, but: Polls show that Americans overwhelmingly support marriage equality.
72% of all voters believe that same-sex couples should have the right to marry, and 55% of Republicans support the Respect For Marriage Act, according to a survey released this month by Centerline Liberties and Project Right Side.
The Respect for Marriage Act, which became law under President Biden in 2022, gives protections to same-sex and interracial marriages.
"In just a few years, same-sex marriage has transitioned from a divisive political issue to an accepted social norm," said Alex Lundry, co-founder of Redbud Consulting.
As most Americans continue to support marriage equality, the Confederate symbols that came under attack after the Charleston massacre have returned.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
22 minutes ago
- USA Today
Donald Trump's official account posts video featuring Usher's 'Hey Daddy'
President Donald Trump's official social media accounts posted a video set to Usher's song, "Daddy's Home." On Wednesday, June 25, a video montage of Trump attending the NATO Summit in The Hague, Netherlands was posted on the official Instagram @whitehouse and @potus accounts with the caption "Daddy's home… Hey, hey, hey, Daddy." The caption draws lyrics from the R&B legend's 2009 hit song, from his "Raymond v. Raymond" album, that read, "When I walk in, all that I wanna hear is you say, "Daddy's home, home for me." The video features a recording of the song over the montage of Trump. In recent years, Usher's track has found newfound success as a popular sound on TikTok, used to score videos. During the full chorus, Usher sings, "And I know you've been waiting for this lovin' all day, You know your daddy's home and it's time to play, yeah; So you ain't got to give my lovin' away; So all my ladies, say, "Hey, hey, hey, daddy." Artists such as Beyoncé, Isaac Hayes' estate, Celine Dion and the estate of Sinéad O'Connor have all criticized Trump's use of their music in his promotional materials. 48 hours with Usher: Concert prep family time and what's next for the R&B icon The clip comes as Trump made an appearance at the NATO summit as global tensions escalate amid U.S. involvement the conflict between Iran and Israel. USA TODAY reached out to reps for Usher for comment. Last year, in September, Usher confirmed on an episode of "The View" that he was supporting Trump's opponent and former Vice President Kamala Harris in the November general election. "So you're supporting Kamala Harris in this election, I understand?" cohost Joy Behar asked to which Usher replied, "yes." The R&B singer — who appeared on the daytime talk show one day after the debate between Trump and Harris and pop star Taylor Swift's endorsement of the latter — didn't delve too deep into his own specific policy stances. 'You know what? I don't get too deep into politics. I didn't get a chance to watch the debate last night. I obviously have been watching like everybody else. I think voting is an individual choice," he told the panel, adding also that "how you highlight and how you choose to highlight it on whatever platform you have is your prerogative." Contributing: Isabel C. Morales, Jonathan Limehouse
Yahoo
23 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Supreme Court decision guide: States can block Planned Parenthood from getting Medicaid funding, and other cases to watch in 2025
The Supreme Court is issuing a flurry of consequential decisions this week as the justices wrap up all of their unfinished business before they adjourn for summer break. On Thursday, the high court ruled that states can block Planned Parenthood from receiving Medicaid funding for all services it provides. That decision comes a week after the court issued an opinion in one of the most highly anticipated decisions, delivering a setback for transgender rights. In a 6-3 ruling, the justices upheld a Tennessee law that restricts gender-affirming care for minors. Advertisement The high court has also issued opinions in other bigger blockbuster cases this term: It upheld a Biden administration rule that regulates ghost guns; it blocked a contract for the nation's first religious charter school in Oklahoma; it allowed a lawsuit from an Ohio woman who alleges she was discriminated against for being straight to proceed; and it blocked Mexico's multibillion-dollar lawsuit from proceeding against U.S. gun manufacturers. The court is expected to wrap up its term on Friday by releasing decisions in all of its remaining undecided cases, including rulings on hot-button issues like President Trump's end to birthright citizenship, transgender rights, LGBTQ books in public schools and age verification for porn sites. Here are some major cases on the SCOTUS docket. Yahoo News will be updating the list below as rulings come in; check back for updates. Defunding Planned Parenthood Case: Medina v. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic Advertisement Decided: June 26, 2025 Case argued: April 2, 2025 The ruling: Medicaid consists of federal and state funds that help low-income people cover medical costs. Public health funds generally cannot be used for abortions, but this case centered around whether South Carolina or other states could block that money from being used for any of the other services that Planned Parenthood provides — things like contraception, cancer screenings and other reproductive health procedures. In a 6-3 ruling split along ideological lines, the justices found that states can indeed block Planned Parenthood from receiving Medicaid funds entirely. Planned Parenthood and other health organizations had argued that cutting off these funds would harm poor South Carolina residents who may struggle to find other providers that accept Medicaid, but Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote in the majority opinion that any fallout from the funding freeze was 'a policy question for Congress, not courts.' Advertisement What the ruling means: The ruling could prove to be a major blow for Planned Parenthood, which has been a longtime target of conservatives because it provides abortions among the many other health services it offers. Other conservative states may follow South Carolina's lead in barring Planned Parenthood from receiving any public funds, which could make it even more difficult for low-income Americans to access health care. Nationwide injunctions (aka the birthright citizenship case) Case: Trump v. CASA Not yet decided Case argued: May 15, 2025 Advertisement The issue: A federal judge in one district has the power to block a government policy nationwide, not just for the parties involved in the case. This is known as a nationwide or universal injunction. Trump's executive order to end birthright citizenship hasn't been enforced because a few federal judges blocked the policy by issuing a nationwide injunction through lawsuits that challenged Trump's order. Trump is asking the Supreme Court to narrow the birthright citizenship injunctions so they apply only to the individual plaintiffs who brought the case. In this case, Trump wants the injunction limited to the people, organizations and potentially the 22 states that legally challenged his executive order. What's at stake: If the Supreme Court sides with Trump and narrows the injunctions so they apply only to the individuals and others who filed lawsuits, there will be different birthright citizenship rules for different people while litigation plays out. If the Supreme Court ultimately decides to limit national injunctions in general, the Trump administration would have a less challenging time implementing future policies going forward. Parents' religious rights vs. LGBTQ books in public schools Case: Mahmoud v. Taylor Not yet decided Case argued: April 22, 2025 Advertisement Read more from Slate: One of the Most Complex Cases of the Supreme Court Term Is Also One of the Most Straightforward The issue: A group of Maryland parents whose children attend a public elementary school want to be able to have notice and an opportunity to opt their children out of lessons with LGBTQ-inclusive storybooks they feel violate their religious beliefs. The justices will decide whether a Maryland public school district unconstitutionally burdened parents' religious rights under the First Amendment when the school abruptly reversed a policy that provided notice and an opt-out option before the lesson without explanation. What's at stake: The justices could issue a broad ruling affecting how public schools manage their curriculums nationwide. If the justices side with the Maryland parents, the case could set a precedent for greater parental control over public school curriculum, particularly when it comes to gender and sexuality. Drawing Louisiana's congressional maps is a balancing act Case: Louisiana v. Callais Not yet decided Case argued: March 24, 2025 Advertisement Read more from USA Today: Supreme Court weighs racial gerrymandering claim, protections for Black voting power The issue: A congressional redistricting map in Louisiana has been ensnared in years of legal battles. Following the 2020 census, the Louisiana state legislature redrew a congressional map of the state's six House districts in response to population shifts. But the state of Louisiana was sued because it only included one majority-Black district, even though the state's entire population is one-third Black. The plaintiffs argued that the map violated Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which bans voting practices or procedures from discriminating against a voter based on race or color. A federal district judge ordered that the maps be redrawn. The GOP-led state legislature redrew the maps to include a second majority-Black district. But Louisiana was sued again by a group of self-described non-Black voters who argued the new map violated the Equal Protection Clause. This time, a divided panel of three federal judges sided with the group. That's why Louisiana has asked the Supreme Court to intervene and decide whether the latest version of the state's congressional map is an unconstitutional racial gerrymander that violates the 14th Amendment. Advertisement What's at stake: The Supreme Court ruling could shift the congressional majority-Black districts in Louisiana. But it also has national implications. The balance of political power in the House of Representatives has frequently come down to razor-thin margins. The ruling could ultimately determine the balance of power in the House in future elections. Age verification for porn sites Case: Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton Not yet decided Case argued: Jan. 15, 2025 Read more from Mashable: What the Supreme Court hearing about age verification could mean for you The issue: The justices will decide whether a 2023 Texas law that requires age verification for porn websites is constitutional. Users are required to submit some form of identification, like a driver's license or digital ID, in order to access the site. Free speech organizations and the porn industry are challenging the law, arguing that it burdens adults' access to content they are legally allowed to consume and it violates their First Amendment rights. Advertisement What's at stake: Currently, 24 states have passed laws requiring some sort of age verification in order to access porn sites, with the goal of protecting minors under the age of 18 from accessing sexual content on the internet. The ruling by the justices will not just affect Texas, but it will have implications for these other laws as well. Defunding Planned Parenthood Case: Medina v. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic Not yet decided Case argued: April 2, 2025 The issue: Medicaid consists of federal and state funds that help people with low incomes cover medical costs. Under federal law, Medicaid funds can cover abortion only in cases of rape, incest or to preserve the life of the pregnant person. At the state level, South Carolina does not allow for Medicaid funds to cover abortions, whereas some states like New York and California do. The state wants to block clinics like Planned Parenthood from being considered a 'qualified Medicaid provider' because the clinics provide abortion services. Advertisement The Supreme Court will weigh whether states can remove providers like Planned Parenthood from their Medicaid program because they offer abortion services, regardless of the fact that the clinics also provide non-abortion-related services like gynecological and obstetrical care and cancer screenings. What's at stake: If the high court rules in favor of South Carolina, health care options will be jeopardized for Medicaid patients in the state, and could embolden other states to remove Planned Parenthood from the program, effectively defunding it.
CNN
23 minutes ago
- CNN
Supreme Court tees up blockbuster final day of term
The Supreme Court will hand down its final decisions of the term on Friday, including an expected high-profile ruling on whether President Donald Trump may enforce his divisive executive order curtailing birthright citizenship. As is tradition, Chief Justice John Roberts announced the final day from the bench. The schedule sets up a blockbuster last day at the Supreme Court in which the justices will hand down six opinions in some of the biggest cases of the year, including those dealing with Trump's birthright citizenship order, a challenge from religious parents who want to opt their children out of reading LGBTQ books in school and a First Amendment suit over a Texas law that requires people to verify their age before accessing porn online. Every year, the high court tries to finish its work by July, though it is unusual for the justices to bunch so many closely watched cases into the final day. Last year, the court handed down three opinions on the final day – including the decision granting Trump immunity from criminal prosecution. Two years ago, the court issued three opinions, including a ruling shutting down President Joe Biden's student loan relief program. Among the cases still pending: the court will decide whether a school district in suburban Washington, DC, burdened the religious rights of parents by declining to allow them to opt their elementary-school children out of reading LGBTQ books in the classroom. The court will also decide the fate of a government task force that recommends which preventive health care services must be covered at no cost under Obamacare. And it will decide a challenge over Louisiana's congressional districts that questions how far states may go in considering race when they draw maps to fix a violation of the Voting Rights Act. But by far the most significant decision is likely to be the one dealing with Trump's birthright citizenship order. The Trump administration asked the Supreme Court to limit the scope of so-called nationwide injunctions that lower courts have issued with increasing frequency, slowing down aspects of the president's agenda. During oral arguments, several conservative justices signaled concern with nationwide injunction but also seemed uneasy letting the president temporarily enforce a policy that flaunts the 14th Amendment. The court did recently hand down one of its most important decisions. Last week, the court's conservative majority upheld a Tennessee law that banned gender-affirming care for trans minors. Roughly half of the nation's states have bans similar to Tennessee's.
