Morning Wire Why The Supreme Court Is Protecting Anonymous Giving
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May 3, 2026 
Erin Hawley, Alliance Defending Freedom counsel who argued First Choice Women's Resource Centers v. Platkin before the Supreme Court, discusses the unanimous ruling protecting donor privacy. She explains how a state attorney general partnered with Planned Parenthood, the subpoena fight over donor data, and why disclosure demands can chill association. She also flags related cases and next legal steps.
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State Officials Can't Shield Subpoenas From Federal Review
- Hostile state officials cannot use subpoenas to chill associational rights without risking federal-court review.
- The Supreme Court unanimously held New Jersey's AG chilled First Choice donors and blocked federal relief, reversing that tactic.
AG Worked With Planned Parenthood Then Subpoenaed Donors
- New Jersey AG Matthew Platkin created a Reproductive Rights Task Force and issued a consumer alert targeting pregnancy care centers.
- Platkin workshopped the alert with Planned Parenthood and later subpoenaed donor names, addresses, and employers.
Section 1983 Protects Immediate Federal Access
- The legal fight hinged on whether First Choice could sue in federal court under Section 1983 or be forced into state court first.
- Forcing state-court first would preclude federal relief, which the Supreme Court rejected as an improper exception.