Supreme Court avoids conflict over Ross's interrogation in a census action

(Reuters) – The United States Supreme Court on Friday refused to suspend an order directing US Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross to answer questions from lawyers in a group of states prosecuting a decision. of the Trump administration asking the respondents of the 2020 census if they were citizens.

In an order of one sentence, Judge Ruth Bader Ginsburg dismissed the Trump administration 's request to suspend the decision of a lower court authorizing Ross' s testimony and another charge. of the administration, while a federal court of appeal in New York was considering the dispute.

But Ginsburg said the government could seek intervention from the Supreme Court once the appeals court has ruled and "before the depositions in question are collected."

On September 21, US District Judge Jesse Furman in Manhattan ruled that Ross, whose department oversees the Census Bureau, was facing a statement because his "intent and credibility are directly involved" in the litigation. .

The lawsuit, which involves 18 states and a number of cities and counties, was conducted by Democratic officials.

The US Constitution provides for a 10-year census, which is used to allocate seats in congressional and state legislatures and to distribute billions of dollars in federal funds.

Critics of the addition of a question on citizenship in the census said that it would deter members of immigrant communities from participating in the census, disproportionately affecting states with a democratic tendency.

The Justice Department told the Supreme Court that states should not be allowed to investigate Ross's "mental state" on the issue of citizenship, arguing that a compelling testimony from senior officials was rarely justified.