Garcetti v. Ceballos

In Garcetti v. Ceballos, 126 S. Ct. 1951 (2006), the U.S. Supreme Court held that although "a State cannot condition public employment on a basis that infringes the employee's constitutionally protected interest in freedom of expression," Connick v. Myers, 461 U.S. 138, 142 (1983), the First Amendment does not protect a government employee from discipline based on speech made pursuant to the employee's official duties.

Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote the opinion for the 5-4 Court, with the liberal wing in dissent.