Morning Wire: "A School’s Secret Intervention and a Mother’s Legal Reckoning"

Date: January 18, 2026
Host: John Bickley (Daily Wire Executive Editor) with Georgia Howe
Guests: Amber Levine (mother at the center of a legal case) and Adam Shelton (attorney, Shelton Goldwater Institute)

Episode Overview

This episode covers the controversy and legal battle initiated by Amber Levine, a mother from Maine, after discovering that her 13-year-old daughter received chest binders from a school social worker without parental knowledge or consent. The episode delves into the legal, ethical, and parental rights issues at the heart of the case, featuring Levine’s personal account and her attorney's legal analysis. The conversation also explores broader questions about parental awareness, public school policy, and resources for families facing similar challenges.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Discovery and Parental Concerns

• Amber Levine's Experience

  • Amber recounts discovering chest binders in her 13-year-old daughter’s room, which immediately raised questions and concerns ([02:17–03:54]):

    "She was 13 at the time. I didn't know much about breast binding at the time, but I knew it wasn't like a typical sports bra. I knew that it wasn't something I had purchased for my daughter." – Amber Levine (02:30)

  • After questioning her daughter, Amber learned the binders were provided by a school social worker, prompting shock and a sense of betrayal, especially as she was unaware her daughter was seeing this social worker ([03:54]).
  • Amber had previously connected her daughter with an external therapist for anxiety and depression, but the school's intervention came as a surprise ([03:58–04:34]).

• Immediate Response to the School

  • Amber reached out to the school administration for answers, and while initially receiving concern, the school quickly defended the social worker’s actions ([05:08–06:14]).

    “By Wednesday, they were telling me that the social worker didn't do anything wrong. And at that point I had pulled my daughter from school, and now here we are.” – Amber Levine (06:06)

2. Legal Challenge and Arguments

• Path to Litigation

  • Adam Shelton explains the legal strategy, starting with a letter to the school requesting policy change, followed by a lawsuit after the school refused ([06:28–06:55]).
  • Both the Federal District Court of Maine and the First Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against Amber's claims, citing state law allowing confidential relationships between students and school counselors ([07:02]).

    "The court of appeals determined that there was a... main law that allows a school counselor to establish a confidential relationship with the child. So they said that the First Circuit believed that that law protected this sort of conduct..." – Adam Shelton (07:02)

• Constitutional Argument

  • Shelton details the federal constitutional claim: that parental rights to direct the upbringing and education of their children are undermined if schools withhold significant information ([07:39–08:20]).

    "Parents have a fundamental right to control and direct the education and upbringing of their children. But a parent can't meaningfully do that... if school officials are withholding information from parents, especially information that directly affects the mental health or physical well being of a child." – Adam Shelton (07:39)

• Supreme Court Prospects

  • Shelton believes recent Supreme Court jurisprudence on parental rights might be favorable ([08:20–08:29]).
  • Mentions possible consolidation with other similar appeals, noting the national stakes ([09:51–10:38]).

3. Personal Impact and Parental Advice

• Relationship with Daughter

  • Amber discusses how the incident temporarily strained her relationship with her daughter but shares that their bond has since strengthened ([10:47–11:37]).

    “Our relationship for a brief moment in time was definitely strained because of adults that I trusted, which is tough to swallow, I think, for both of us... Our relationship is great.” – Amber Levine (10:47)

• Advice for Other Parents

  • Amber shares advice for parents navigating similar situations, emphasizing:
    • Withdrawing children from public school if possible
    • Monitoring children’s online activities, which she believes pose greater risks than in-person unsupervised time ([12:08–14:31]):

      “Let your kids go explore the outdoor world and have them put the technology away. There’s a lot of nefarious stuff going on online. And I mean, we've all fallen down rabbit holes on the Internet, so our kids are no different.”

    • Building deeper, intentional family connections (“Sit down and have dinner with your kids every night and ask them what their favorite part of the day was.”)
  • Notes that both teachers and parents can feel unsupported or conflicted by current school policies and administrative pressures ([12:08–14:31]).

4. Resources and Support Groups

• Amber recommends the podcast Gender: A Wider Lens, hosted by Stella O’Malley and Sasha Ayad, as a valuable informational and support resource, along with parent support groups connected to the show ([14:49–16:11]):

  “They have a great library of resources. They've interviewed everybody in the gender world at this point. Their names are Stella o' Malley and Sasha Ayyad.” – Amber Levine (15:00)

5. Conclusion and Legal Next Steps

• Final legal update: The Supreme Court will consider the petition after the school board’s reply deadline (January 28, 2026). The case represents a question with national parental rights implications ([16:11–16:36]):

  “We're very hopeful that the Supreme Court's gonna take a serious look at this, at this case. Cause it does present an issue of national importance.” – Adam Shelton (16:24)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Amber, on school’s handling:

  "I think she knew what I was talking about immediately. They met with me on Monday, expressed great concern, met with the social worker on Tuesday. By Wednesday, they were telling me that the social worker didn't do anything wrong." (05:54)

• Shelton, on constitutional claim:

  "The US Constitution trumps any state law." (07:18)

• Amber, on advice to parents:

  "There are a few things that parents can do... First of all, if you can, pull your kids out of public school... Secondly, we need to pay more attention to what our kids are doing online." (12:16)

• Amber, on parental connection:

  "Sit down and have dinner with your kids every night and ask them what their favorite part of the day was." (14:21)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:17] – Amber’s discovery of the chest binder
• [03:54] – How Amber’s daughter responded and initial confusion
• [05:08] – Contact and response from the Maine school
• [06:28] – Legal strategy explained by Adam Shelton
• [07:39] – Constitutional principles of parental rights
• [10:47] – Amber on the mother-daughter relationship after the discovery
• [12:08] – Parental advice: school options, online risks, family connection
• [14:49] – Practical resources and support groups for parents
• [16:11] – Next steps in the Supreme Court appeal

Resources Mentioned

• Gender: A Wider Lens podcast (hosts Stella O’Malley & Sasha Ayad): educational resource and source of support groups ([15:00])
• Parent summits and online support groups facilitated by psychotherapists

Final Thoughts

This episode offers a first-hand perspective on the intensifying legal and cultural battle over parental rights in school settings, focusing on cases involving gender identity and school confidentiality. It outlines the personal toll such conflicts take on families and provides concrete advice and resources for parents. With the case now before the Supreme Court, the outcome could set a major precedent affecting public school policies nationwide.