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 delivered big conservative wins, and a mixed message

After the dramatic reversal of Roe v. Wade last year, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. pulled court back toward its right-leaning center.

July 1, 2023

Supreme Court rejects Biden student loan forgiveness plan

Hours later, President Biden announced a “new path” for loan forgiveness and plans for a temporary, 12-month repayment program.

June 30, 2023

Supreme Court’s halt on student loan relief isn’t end of Biden’s effort

The court also ruled Friday in favor of an evangelical Christian graphic artist from Colorado who did not want to create wedding websites for same-sex couples.

June 30, 2023

Supreme Court protects web designer who won’t do gay wedding websites

The case, 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis, involved a designer who wants to make wedding websites in Colorado and came amid rising public approval of gay marriage.

June 30, 2023

Supreme Court declines to review transgender woman’s ADA claim

Appeals court found that gender dysphoria is covered by the Americans With Disabilities Act, after Kesha Williams sued Fairfax County for housing her with men.

June 30, 2023

How the Supreme Court decided major 2023 cases

The Supreme Court issued rulings on major issues including student loan debt, affirmative action and immigration.

June 30, 2023

Supreme Court rejects race-based affirmative action in college admissions

Landmark cases involving Harvard and the University of North Carolina asked the Supreme Court to ban affirmative action, or using race in college admissions.

June 29, 2023

How Supreme Court ruled on affirmative action in the past

After a landmark affirmative action decision involving Harvard and the University of North Carolina, a review of how the Supreme Court ruled before.

June 29, 2023

Supreme Court rejects theory that would have meant radical changes to election rules

The “independent state legislature theory” says the Constitution gives power over elections maps and voting decisions to lawmakers.

June 27, 2023

Supreme Court says a conviction for online threats violated 1st Amendment

The case concerned a Colorado law used to convict Billy Raymond Counterman of stalking and causing “emotional distress” to a singer-songwriter he had never met.

June 27, 2023