@CatsOnACouch Instagram Creator Barred from JD Vance Event Sues, Alleges Violation of First Amendment Rights

PORTLAND, Maine – Amanda McGonigle, creator of the social media accounts @CatsOnACouch, filed suit today against the U.S. Secret Service and the Executive Office of the President, alleging that she was barred from an official government event because of her social media content criticizing the vice president.

“It’s absurd that the Secret Service is wasting their time tracking a satirical cat account on social media,” said Amanda McGonigle. “The government can’t exclude me from official vice-presidential events just because I mock people in power on the internet. The Trump administration has routinely retaliated against people exercising their First Amendment rights, and this is just the latest example. But the First Amendment protects our right to criticize the government, and it's well within my rights to say that I think JD Vance is an unlikeable idiot."

McGonigle registered to attend a vice-presidential event in Bangor in May and complied with all advance guest guidance provided by the Executive Office of the President. While in line for the event, armed Secret Service agents and other government officials identified her in the line and told her she wasn’t allowed in because “we know where you stand."

“The First Amendment protects every person’s right to express their opinions and political views, free from fear of government retaliation or retribution,” said ACLU of Maine Staff Attorney Anahita Sotoohi. “Ms. McGonigle uses her platform to criticize and satirize elected officials, using humor to garner support for causes important to her and inform her followers about political developments. The freedom to mock has been a central tenet of American political discourse since the founding. The First Amendment cannot be revoked just because one of the country’s most powerful people can’t take a joke.”

McGonigle launched her @CatsOnACouch accounts after Vice President Vance’s infamous “childless cat lady” comment in 2024. She says the purpose of the account is “to have more followers than JD Vance by the time he leaves office and to troll him mercilessly every single day.” She regularly posts videos mocking the vice president, often with a cat theme, and uses the account to engage in mutual aid efforts.

“Some politicians may not be able to take a joke, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make one (or many),” said Laura Moraff, staff attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union. “Ms. McGonigle's satirical social media content is purr-tected speech. Punishing her for her catty commentary is a cat-aclysmic blow to the First Amendment.”

The ACLU of Maine and ACLU Speech, Privacy, and Technology Project filed the suit on behalf of McGonigle in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maine. The complaint alleges that McGonigle’s First Amendment rights were violated when she was excluded from vice presidential events because of her speech and political views.

The complaint can be viewed here.

Read more about the case here.