March 1964
New York Times v. Sullivan (1964)
The Supreme Court ruled that public officials can't win libel suits over critical statements unless they prove actual malice. The decision set the standard that officials must endure "vehement, caustic, and sometimes unpleasantly sharp attacks" on their conduct.
Then
The ruling ended the libel suit and protected critical reporting on civil rights.
Now
It remains the core precedent protecting political speech about government officials.
Why this matters now
Judge Contreras cited Sullivan directly, noting that government officials have long endured sharp attacks and that Streever's degrading email was still protected speech.