Full Breakdown
ACLU of Maine Lawsuit Over JD Vance Event Access
8/25/2026, 1:25:11 AM
Event Overview
Amanda McGonigle, the creator of the social-media accounts @CatsOnACouch, was barred from Vice President JD Vance’s appearance in Bangor, Maine, in May. According to the American Civil Liberties Union of Maine, armed Secret Service agents identified her by name while she waited in line and told her, “We know where you stand.” The ACLU argues that excluding her because she regularly mocks the vice president online violates her First Amendment rights.
Legal Action and Court Outcome
The ACLU of Maine filed a lawsuit seeking an injunction that would require the government to allow McGonigle to attend future Vance events, including a scheduled appearance in Brewer, Maine. After the government granted her entry to the Brewer event, a judge dismissed the suit, finding that the plaintiff’s requested relief was no longer necessary.
Background of the Social-Media Account
McGonigle launched the @CatsOnACouch accounts in response to Vance’s 2024 “childless cat lady” comment. The accounts have become a focal point for online criticism of the vice president.
Implications for First Amendment Rights
The case highlights the tension between security protocols at high-profile political events and the constitutional right to free speech. While the ACLU framed the exclusion as a content-based restriction, the government’s decision to admit McGonigle to the subsequent Brewer event suggests a willingness to treat her like any other member of the public once the dispute was raised in court. The dismissal leaves open the question of how future event organizers will balance security concerns with access for outspoken critics.
