I took a political science class in community college. And in the US, we live in a federal republic. And the constitution recognizes governmental action as either federal action, or state action. Anything that isn't federal action, must be state action. Even something that goes on in a very small town. Because that small town is part of the state government. Because all states have unitarian control, over even their smallest towns (they taught us, in HS government class). So, everything any government employee does anywhere, is controlled by the US Constitution. And the 14th Amendment protects equal protection and due process at the state level. So, it applies even to the most lowly janitor, if he works for the city, in that state. And if he violated anyone's rights, a court would start asking following questions, as funny as they may sound. That janitor. Did he violate their right to equal protection, under the 14th Amendment? Did he treat them differently because of race or ethnicity? Or political views? Or because they were gay or LGBTQ+? What about their due process rights, including substantive due process? Did he violate them? Did he violate their freedom of speech? Did he conduct an illegal search of them? Did he subject them to cruel and unusual punishment even? Under the 14th Amendment? This would apply to all government employees and institutions, everywhere in the United States, and in our territories. But never private conduct. Although statutes usually give people the same rights there. I'm serious.
