No support for claim that Houston is 'backing off' subpoenas

 

The following quote may be attributed to Alliance Defending Freedom Litigation Counsel Christiana Holcomb regarding the unsupported claim that the city of Houston is “backing off” or “narrowing” its subpoena request for the sermons and communications of pastors in Woodfill v. Parker:

“The shame that the city of Houston has brought upon itself is real, but the claim that it has changed course is not. The city so far has taken no concrete action to withdraw the subpoenas. Furthermore, the subpoenas themselves are the problem – not just their request for pastors’ sermons. The city is not off the hook from its illegitimate request for e-mails, text messages, and other communications in which these pastors, who are not even party to this lawsuit, may have disagreed with the mayor. The way to fix this is to withdraw the subpoenas entirely. Otherwise, the city’s and the mayor’s overtures are simply more window-dressing intended to shield them from public scrutiny.”