Breaking: Texas AG Says Judges & County Clerks Don't Have to Comply with SCOTUS

The Texas Attorney General Ken Paxon just issued an opinion that judges don't have to perform same sex marriages and county clerks don't have to issue license if they have a religious objection. 

Here are some highlights from the opinion:

• “County clerks and their employees retain religious freedoms that may allow accommodation of their religious objections to issuing same-sex marriage licenses. The strength of any such claim depends on the particular facts of each case.
• “Justices of the peace and judges similarly retain religious freedoms, and may claim that the government cannot force them to conduct same-sex wedding ceremonies over their religious objections, when other authorized individuals have no objection, because it is not the least restrictive means of the government ensuring the ceremonies occur. The strength of any such claim depends on the particular facts of each case.”

Paxon goes on to say, “It is important to note that any clerk who wishes to defend their religious objections and who chooses not to issue licenses may well face litigation and/or a fine. But, numerous lawyers stand ready to assist clerks defending their religious beliefs, in many cases on a pro-bono basis, and I will do everything I can from this office to be a public voice for those standing in defense of their rights.

“Texas must speak with one voice against this lawlessness, and act on multiple levels to further protect religious liberties for all Texans, but most immediately do anything we can to help our County Clerks and public officials who now are forced with defending their religious beliefs against the Court’s ruling.”

Read the full opinion here: 

https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/opinions/opinions/51paxton/op/2015/kp0025.pdf