What Happened in June, 2022?

Roe vs. Wade Overturned by US Supreme Court

On June 24, 2022, the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, which had made access to abortion a federal right in the United States. The decision dismantled 50 years of legal protection and paved the way for individual states to curtail or outright ban abortion rights. 

The decision has had disastrous effects on abortion rights across the country. Abortion is currently unavailable in 14 states, and courts have temporarily blocked enforcement of bans in eight others as of December 12, 2022. 

In the wake of the decision, many states have explored ways to protect abortion access. In 2022, the Guttmacher Institute found that state lawmakers across the nation introduced 369 bills to protect access to abortion, and passed 77 of them across 18 states. 

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a new law strengthening abortion rights in the state following the Supreme Court’s decision. 

More News in June 2022

A massive earthquake tore open the earth in southwestern Afghanistan and northern Syria.

Afghan officials say the death toll from Wednesday’s earthquake has risen to at least 1,150. Over 10,000 homes were destroyed or damaged in the largest earthquake to hit Afghanistan in over two decades. 

Cosby found guilty of assaulting teen

A jury found that Cosby had forced a 16-year-old to perform a sex act on him and ordered him to pay $500,000 in damages.

In Ukraine the Battle of Sievierodonetsk ends

The war in Ukraine continued to be a major news story in June, with no end in sight. The Russian capture of the city ended the battle after weeks of heavy fighting. The war has caused a humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and has had a significant impact on the global economy.The United States announced it will send an additional $450 million in military aid to Ukraine, including medium-range rocket systems.

Gunman opens fire in Oslo

Two people were killed and 21 injured after a gunman opened fire at three sites in Oslo in a suspected Islamist anti-LGBTQ+ attack.

Trump Pushed DOJ to Seize Voting Machines & Declare Election Results “Corrupt”

The House committee investigating the January 6 insurrection has revealed Donald Trump heavily pressured the Justice Department to help him overturn the 2020 election. At a hearing on Thursday, former top DOJ officials said Trump urged the department to seize voting machines, declare the election results corrupt and investigate bizarre conspiracy theories.

The January 6 committee also revealed six members of Congress who supported Trump’s coup attempt sought presidential pardons: Mo Brooks of Alabama, Matt Gaetz of Florida, Louie Gohmert of Texas, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Scott Perry of Pennsylvania and Andy Biggs of Arizona.

Senate approves gun safety bill

The Senate approved the bipartisan gun safety bill by a vote of 65-33. The law came just weeks after the mass shootings in Buffalo, New York, and Uvalde, Texas, that killed more than 30 people.

Supreme Court Rules in Favor of the Second Amendment in the New York Bruen Case

On June 23, 2022, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled in the case of New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen, striking down a New York law that required people seeking a license to carry a handgun in public to demonstrate that they had a “proper cause.” In a 6-3 decision, the Court held that the law violated the Second Amendment by making it too difficult for law-abiding citizens to exercise their right to self-defense.

The Bruen decision is a major victory for gun rights advocates and is likely to have a significant impact on gun laws in other states. The decision could lead to challenges to similar laws in other states, and it could also make it easier for people to carry guns in public in states that already have less restrictive gun laws.