Robert Barnes

Washington, D.C.

Reporter covering the U.S. Supreme Court

Education: University of Florida

Robert Barnes has been a Washington Post reporter and editor since 1987. He joined the paper to cover Maryland politics, and he has served in various editing positions, including metropolitan editor and national political editor. He has covered the Supreme Court since November 2006.
Latest from Robert Barnes

Supreme Court will hear attempt to trademark ‘Trump Too Small’

A California attorney wants to trademark the phrase “Trump Too Small” for use on t-shirts that mock Donald Trump and echo taunts from the 2016 Republican primary.

June 5, 2023

Court rules for firm that sued striking workers over wasted concrete

Justice Amy Coney Barrett said the actions of striking truck drivers at Glacier Northwest concrete company weren't protected by the National Labor Relations Act.

June 1, 2023

Supreme Court weakens EPA power to enforce Clean Water Act

Justice Samuel A. Alito, writing for the majority in the 5-4 opinion, said the EPA’s interpretation of its powers went too far.

May 25, 2023

Supreme Court rules for woman who says county took too much for tax debt

A Minnesota woman said Hennepin County unfairly pocketed the profit when it seized and sold her condominium for more than she owed in taxes.

May 25, 2023

How Supreme Court’s EPA ruling will affect U.S. wetlands, clean water

The decision could affect tens of thousands of acres of wetlands, including in the Everglades and the Mississippi River basin.

May 25, 2023

Tracking Supreme Court decisions in this term’s major cases

The Post is following key cases that the Supreme Court will decide in 2023. Here are the major decisions the court is expected to rule on and why they matter.

May 25, 2023

Roberts says Supreme Court will address ethics issues

Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. said he was “confident” the Supreme Court will convince the public that the it “adheres to the highest standards of conduct.”

May 23, 2023

Supreme Court rules for Google, Twitter on terror-related content

The justices did not make changes to Section 230, saying families of terrorism victims had not shown the tech companies helped foster attacks on their loved ones.

May 18, 2023

Supreme Court rules against Warhol Foundation in Prince photo copyright case

The Supreme Court sided with a photographer who said the late Andy Warhol should have honored her copyright on a photo when creating an iconic image of Prince.

May 18, 2023

Highlights from court arguments in abortion pill ban appeal

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit heard the full appeal Wednesday of a Texas judge's ruling to block access to the abortion pill mifepristone.

May 17, 2023