Justices Won’t Reopen Challenge to Pledge

The Supreme Court refused to reopen a case challenging the constitutionality of the Pledge of Allegiance and its reference to God in public schools.

Michael Newdow, an atheist from the Sacramento area, had asked the justices to consider overturning their 5-3 ruling made in June. The court ruled then that Newdow could not legally represent his 10-year-old daughter in the case because he did not have full custody of her. The court denied his appeal without comment.

Newdow wants the words “under God” removed from the pledge.