Michael Newdow

Michael Newdow is a California atheist who sued his daughter's school, arguing that the words "Under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance were unconstitutional under the First Amendment. The case was Newdow v. United States Congress.

On June 26, 2002, a three judge panel of the Ninth Circuit in San Francisco sided with Newdow. On March 24, 2004, the US Supreme Court heard oral argument in the case, but threw out the case on June 14 by a vote of 8-0, ruling that he had no grounds to sue on behalf of his daughter, for whom he did not have legal custody at the time he filed suit. See Elk Grove Unified School District v. Newdow for more information.