Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) responds to the U.S. Supreme Court decision in McGirt v. Oklahoma during a COVID-19 press briefing on July 9, 2020.
By a vote of 5-4, the Supreme Court held that the reservation promised to the Muscogee (Creek) Nation by treaty still exists. The decision prevents the state of Oklahoma from exercising "unlawful" jurisdiction over major crimes committed by Indians within the tribe's boundaries. "Obviously with the criminal cases it's gonna have an impact on Oklahomans but it's also a pretty narrow opinion that could have other implications for the state of Oklahoma," said Stitt.