U.S. Supreme Court will not consider Christian fire chief’s wrongful termination case

The high court on Monday declined to review a lower court decision in the case of Ronald Hittle v. City of Stockton, California. Former Stockton Fire Chief Ronald Hittle served in his position from 2006 to 2011, when the city fired him for attending a church-based leadership event while on duty, among other perceived infractions. Hittle’s supervisors in 2010 suggested he obtain leadership training to benefit his role in the department, according to First Liberty Institute, which is representing Hittle. He chose the Global Leadership Summit at Willow Creek Community Church in Illinois and attended with three colleagues.

What is the history of the case? The city fired him in 2011 after an anonymous person informed officials that the event was held at a church, according to First Liberty Institute. Notable leaders including former President Bill Clinton and former General Electric CEO Jack Welch have spoken at the conference in prior years. Hittle filed a complaint and U.S. District Judge Troy Nunley in 2022 ruled against him, saying he did not provide sufficient evidence that the city had discriminated against him based on his religion. The city argued that his use of city time and a city vehicle to attend a religious event violated his obligations as a public employee. The city also accused him of several leadership infractions, including the improper release of confidential information, failure to discipline employees, favoritism, and the improper endorsement of a consultant’s business. A U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit last year refused to hear the case.

Did any justices disagree with the decision? Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas wrote a dissenting opinion which Justice Neil Gorsuch joined. Thomas criticized the court for using the 1973 Supreme Court case McDonnell Douglas Corp. v. Green as a test for all cases involving allegations of employment discrimination. In that case, the justices unanimously decided that a plaintiff in an employment discrimination case must prove that he or she was a member of a protected class and was dismissed despite his or her qualifications. Additionally, employers must provide a legitimate reason for their actions. Thomas said that decision had confused lower courts and should be reviewed and clarified. He argued that Hittle’s case could have been an opportunity to do that.

Dig deeper: Read Liz Lykins’ report about a Michigan physician’s assistant who is fighting to defend her Christian beliefs.