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 to decide if officials can block constituents on social media

At issue is whether the First Amendment guarantees access to personal social-media accounts that are used by public officials to communicate with constituents.

April 24, 2023

Supreme Court preserves access to key abortion drug as appeal proceeds

The battle over whether to permanently restrict mifepristone, and whether the FDA properly approved use of the drug more than 20 years ago, continues.

April 21, 2023

    How lower court rulings get to the Supreme Court

    Washington Post reporter Robert Barnes explains how the Supreme Court chooses what cases to pick up.

    April 21, 2023

    Supreme Court extends nationwide abortion pill access through Friday

    The delay in ruling could indicate the court is not unanimous in how to handle its first major abortion-related controversy since overturning Roe v. Wade.

    April 19, 2023

    Supreme Court debates when unwanted messages become a stalker’s threats

    Case involves Colorado law used to convict Billy Raymond Counterman of stalking and causing “emotional distress” for singer-songwriter Coles Whalen.

    April 19, 2023

    Groups urge Supreme Court to reinstate restrictions on abortion pill

    Justices will decide by midnight Wednesday whether to maintain full access to the abortion drug mifepristone while Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk's ruling is appealed.

    April 18, 2023

    Complaints about Justice Thomas’s disclosures sent to judicial committee

    Complaint involves Justice Clarence Thomas’s failure to disclose travel and real estate deals with Republican donor and Dallas business executive Harlan Crow.

    April 18, 2023

    The controversial article Matthew Kacsmaryk did not disclose to the Senate

    The judge who delivered a high-stakes abortion pills ruling last week removed his name from a law review article during his judicial nomination process, emails obtained by The Post show.

    April 15, 2023

    The Supreme Court temporarily restores full access to key abortion medication

    The Supreme Court returns to an issue that has divided it before: the use of mifepristone and when to defer to the FDA’s authority.

    April 14, 2023

    Supreme Court makes it easier to challenge structure of federal agencies

    The Supreme Court made it easier to challenge the regulatory power of federal agencies, easing the way for constitutional challenges of the SEC and the FTC.

    April 14, 2023