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

In case involving whiskey and a dog toy, Supreme Court misses the joke

The company that recast Jack Daniel’s famous square bottle as a rubbery chew toy said the item is satirical and should be protected expression.

March 22, 2023

Supreme Court rules for deaf student who says school district failed him

The ruling said a young Michigan man can pursue an Americans with Disabilities Act claim while seeking via the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

March 21, 2023

Supreme Court asked to allow West Virginia’s transgender athlete ban

The case involves a 12-year-old transgender girl who is taking puberty blockers and wants to stay on the girls’ track and cross-country teams at her middle school.

March 21, 2023

Supreme Court asks for more briefs on important election-law case

The request for additional information comes after the North Carolina Supreme Court, newly controlled by Republicans, decided to rehear a challenge of the congressional map.

March 2, 2023

On student loan forgiveness, conservative justices skeptical of Biden plan

Chief Justice John Roberts and others said Congress should be involved in such an expensive endeavor, and they questioned the loan forgiveness plan’s fairness.

February 28, 2023

Supreme Court takes up challenge that threatens consumer watchdog agency

The Biden administration asked the justices to examine a lower court ruling that declared the funding for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to be unlawful.

February 27, 2023

Biden’s student loan forgiveness program comes before Supreme Court

Tuesday’s oral arguments will focus on the limits of executive power -- and explore who has standing to challenge the $430 billion loan initiative

February 26, 2023

Supreme Court questions Twitter’s liability for terrorist attack

The Supreme Court spent more than five hours over two days considering the responsibilities and failures of Big Tech, but seems reluctant to make big changes.

February 22, 2023

Supreme Court seems cautious on Google case that could reshape internet

Justices across the ideological spectrum said they were confused by the plaintiff’s case and concerned about undermining Congress effort to protect tech firms.

February 21, 2023

Supreme Court considers if Google is liable for recommending ISIS videos

The Supreme Court on Tuesday heard oral arguments in Gonzalez vs. Google, a lawsuit that argues tech companies should be legally liable for harmful content.

February 21, 2023