Judge Timothy Kelly, a Trump appointee, issued a Temporary Restraining Order yesterday in CNN, Inc. v. Trump to restore the access of CNN, MS NOW, and Politico to the White House. As I previously explained, it was the only decision that he could make in light of controlling precedent from the D.C. Circuit in Sherrill v. Knight (D.C. Cir. 1977). The White House will have to get either the D.C. Circuit to overturn the long-standing precedent or get the Supreme Court to do so. Neither is likely. Continue reading “Federal Court Orders Reinstatement of CNN, MS NOW, and Politico at White House”
Category: Media
Below is my column in the Hill on the banning of disfavored news outlets from the White House. Putting the legal challenges ahead for the Administration, it is an action that runs against the grain of our values and traditions.
Here is the column: Continue reading “Beware of Politicians Claiming to Protect Us from the Press”
The Trump Administration is rushing to prepare for a fight that few knew was coming after President Donald Trump banned Politico, CNN, and MS NOW from the White House for spreading “fake news.” I understand the President had been planning this step for over a year, but he announced it with little notice to his staff. What will follow could be one of the most consequential fights over press rights in decades… and the odds are against the President. Continue reading “Fake News or Viewpoint Discrimination: Can the President Ban Disfavored Media?”
Below is my column in the New York Post on the referral of Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner for possible criminal prosecution by a federal judge. Judge Paul Diamond is only the latest jurist to reach the breaking point with Krasner, who has used a mix of rage and race politics to stay in office.
Here is the column: Continue reading “F— Around and Find Out”: Krasner Referred to U.S. Attorney for Criminal Investigation”
In this political season, there is one question that needs no poll: Rahil Prakash is a liar. The other thing we know is that he will likely get away with spreading fake polling results. Lies can be protected speech under the First Amendment and, while Prakash would not likely want to take a popularity poll, he is unlikely to face legal consequences for his “short-term social experiment.” Continue reading ““I Hope it Gives a Really Good Lesson Going Forward”: Rahil Prakash and the License to Lie”
Below is my column on Fox.com on yesterday’s “testimony” from Dr. Anthony Fauci. Americans deserve answers to the questions raised by his diary and other remarks. The most likely course to gain such answers would be through an immunity grant. The impact of a pardon on invocations is a bit murky but, as I stated yesterday, the odds favor Fauci in a court finding that he can still invoke the privilege. In any challenge, a court would likely find that there remains a risk of self-incrimination. What is clear is that many in Washington would prefer Fauci to remain silent on the questions raised by his diary.
Here is the column: Continue reading “The Sound of Silence: Fauci Takes the Fifth and the Heat Over his Diary Disclosures”
To paraphrase Mark Twain, Justice Samuel Alito’s retirement has been “much exaggerated.” Yesterday, my phone exploded with calls from reporters about the scoop by NPR’s Nina Totenberg that Alito had retired. As someone who has covered the Court for 30 years and was in the midst of covering yesterday’s opinions for Fox News, it was enough to trigger a panic attack. I had been told that Alito had selected his clerks for the next term and was not retiring. Then NPR issued a retraction that Totenberg was wrong and Alito was still showing signs of judicial life. It turns out that it came down to the perils of pluralization for the press.
Hunter Biden is once again reinventing himself with the help of an ever-enabling media and the Democratic establishment. The media is full of reports that people are rediscovering Hunter and finding him strikingly honest and refreshing. In his pitch, he assures viewers that now “it’s just me” and not some team of advisers. The problem is that, for some of us who have been critics of the Bidens for decades, there is nothing new about the new Hunter other than a podcast audience. Continue reading ““It’s Just Me”: The New Hunter Biden Seems Strikingly Like the Old Hunter Biden”
Some people just like classic Coke. Others insisted on the original Reese’s recipe. New York Times writer Jodi Kantor went on CNN to explain why Democrats can vote for Maine senatorial candidate Graham Platner despite multiple women coming forward to denounce him: this is really not the classic Me Too allegations that Kantor and others seem to prefer for outrage. Continue reading ““Not Like Classic Abuse Allegations”: NYT Writer Tries a Classic Coke Pitch for Platner”
Last year, I wrote a column rebutting Sen. Tim Kaine’s (D., Va.) attack on a nominee for expressing his belief in natural rights that derive from God, not the government. (He later backtracked after a public outcry). Now, MSNOW host Katy Tur seems to be echoing the same concern over Speaker Mike Johnson expressing his faith in natural rights at the “Rededicate 250” rally on the mall in Washington, DC. Continue reading “MSNOW Host Raises Concern Over Speaker Johnson Expressing Belief in Natural Rights”
Below is my column in the New York Post on the decision of the Virginia Supreme Court to nullify the result of the recent gerrymandering to eliminate virtually all Republican representatives in the purple state. The reversal of fortunes for the party, however, could lead to an even more dangerous agenda.
Here is the column:
This week, DePaul University is moving from merely woke to academic insomnia. The university is teaming up with former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot to create an institute dedicated to journalism and “racial justice.” As trust in the media plunges, DePaul is moving to double down on advocacy journalism with the “Institute for Journalism and Racial Justice.” Continue reading “DePaul University Creates the “Institute for Journalism and Racial Justice” With Lori Lightfoot”
We are seeing increasing support for violent action across social media, including those lamenting that the recent presidential assassination was not successful. Conservative sites have been featuring teachers and others who were upset that the recent effort failed, including one who has now lost her job. The current violence and violent rhetoric have been building for years as our leaders fuel the rage in the nation.
Continue reading “A Nation Divided: The Chilling Embrace of Political Violence in the United States”
Below is my column in The Hill on the recent New York Times podcast exploring the justifications for crimes ranging from theft to murder. The podcast with radical Hasan Piker, the New York Times Opinion Culture Editor Nadja Spiegelman, and New Yorker writer Jia Tolentino captured the moral relativism that has taken hold of the left in American society. Reading the manifesto of the accused White House Correspondents Association Dinner shooter Cole Tomas Allen shows the ultimate expression of a society where rage has replaced morality and decency.
Here is the column: Continue reading “The Moral Malaise: The New York Times Makes the Case for “Microlooting” to Murder”
Below is my column on Fox.com discussing the most recent call to be “ruthless” and to pack the Supreme Court. It is only the latest call for fundamental changes in our system on the 250th anniversary of our revolution.
Here is the column: Continue reading ““Let’s Get Ruthless”: Bulwark’s Bill Kristol Suggests Illiberal Means Are Needed to Save Liberal Democracy”