Columns, Criminal law, Media, Politics

Time’s Up: Hunter to Face a Moment of Truth Before the House Oversight Committee

Below is my column in the New York Post on the confirmation that Hunter Biden will finally appear before Congress on December 13th. After years of delays and denials, Biden will now be faced with questions not from an enabling media but an investigating committee. While he once pledged to do “exactly what the Chairman wants,” he is about to face another chairman in James Comer who wants something that Hunter has previously refused to supply: answers.

Here is the column: Continue reading “Time’s Up: Hunter to Face a Moment of Truth Before the House Oversight Committee” →

Congress, Criminal law, Politics

Hunter Has a Hearing Date But He Has Demands

We previously discussed how Hunter Biden was gracious enough to say that he might appear before Congress after receiving a subpoena from the House Oversight Committee when “the time is right.” As I noted at the time, that is not quite how subpoenas work. It is really not an invitation. Now a date has been set for December 13th, but Hunter’s lawyer, Abbe Lowell, is suggesting that he will not appear in private but only in a public hearing. Again, Hunter fundamentally misses the point of a congressional subpoena.

Continue reading “Hunter Has a Hearing Date But He Has Demands” →

Academia, Free Speech

New York High School Students Riot After Teacher Posts Pro-Israel Image on Facebook

At Hillcrest High School in Queens this week, a New York teacher had to lock herself in her office as hundreds of high school students rioted after learning that she posted a pro-Israeli statement on Facebook. Dozens of police had to be called to quell the riot, which caused property damage throughout the school. Continue reading “New York High School Students Riot After Teacher Posts Pro-Israel Image on Facebook” →

Politics, Torts

Roger Stone Denies Using Vulgar Reference for Casey DeSantis . . . That Still Appears on His Account

Yesterday, we discussed the attack of Trump associate Roger Stone on Casey DeSantis for referring to her children in speeches. The story by Mediaite included screenshots of a posting. Stone was responding to a posting by GOP congressional candidate Mike Crispi criticizing DeSantis for repeatedly referring to her children. Stone reportedly added “SeeUNextTuesday,”using the common slang for the vulgar word. Stone has now denied that he ever used the slur. Continue reading “Roger Stone Denies Using Vulgar Reference for Casey DeSantis . . . That Still Appears on His Account” →

Constitutional Law, Courts

Study: Dobbs Resulted in an Increase of 30,000 Babies

According to the study by the Institute of Labor Economics, the overturning of Roe v. Wade in June 2022 may have resulted in the birth of 32,000 additional babies. After the decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization births rose by an average of 2.3 percent in states enforcing abortion bans or restrictions. That may be less than many pro-choice advocates suggested, but it still amounts to tens of thousands of babies. Continue reading “Study: Dobbs Resulted in an Increase of 30,000 Babies” →

Politics

Roger Stone and Others Come for Casey DeSantis and Her Children

In an age of rage, Roger Stone could be the avatar of the times. The self-proclaimed provocateur, Stone is known to wear a t-shirt reading “Trump 2020: F**k Your Feelings.” That credo was on display this week with an attack not on Ron DeSantis but on his wife, Casey. The reason? Casey often refers to her children, a common point of reference for possible first ladies. However, the highlighting of the DeSantis children sent Stone into a signature tirade, including allegedly using  a coded word for c**t to refer to Casey. Stone is a diehard supporter of Donald Trump. Nothing says unhinged, recreational rage like attacking a mother for referencing her children. Continue reading “Roger Stone and Others Come for Casey DeSantis and Her Children” →

Bizarre, Criminal law

Oklahoma Woman Charged with Murder After Giving Elderly Mother the Gun Used in Suicide

Years ago, we discussed the controversial case of Michele Carter, a teenager convicted of murder after encouraging a friend to commit suicide. The case raised difficult free speech questions. Now there is another equally troubling case out of Oklahoma, though the criminal charges should be less controversial. Jaye Dee Watts, 44, (shown here with an apt shirt reading “Dogs: Because People Suck”) is charged with giving her 72-year-old mother a handgun after berating her and saying “Do with it what you f***ing will, b—h.” Her mother, Lynda Watts, then killed herself. Continue reading “Oklahoma Woman Charged with Murder After Giving Elderly Mother the Gun Used in Suicide” →

Constitutional Law, Free Speech, Lawyering

No, Rashida Tlaib Should Not Be Sanctioned by the Michigan Bar

This month, the Coolidge Reagan Foundation has called upon the Michigan bar to investigate and sanction Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., over her comments on Gaza and Israel. While I have been critical of Tlaib over her rhetoric and claims on the Hamas attack and later war, I believe that such sanctions would be inimical to free speech and pull the bar into political controversies. Continue reading “No, Rashida Tlaib Should Not Be Sanctioned by the Michigan Bar” →

Columns, Constitutional Law, Free Speech, Politics

Florida’s “Deactivation” of Pro-Palestinian Group is Unconstitutional

Below is my column in USA Today on the “deactivation order” issued to a controversial pro-Palestinian group at the University of Florida. The order in my view is unconstitutional. We need to focus on deterring acts of destruction and any violent threats or acts on our campuses. We can maintain a safe space for all of our students without sacrificing the free speech rights that are the foundation for higher education.

Here is the column.

Continue reading “Florida’s “Deactivation” of Pro-Palestinian Group is Unconstitutional” →

Constitutional Law, Politics

New Polling Shows a Majority of American Households Own Guns and Support Gun Rights
Academia, Free Speech

Professors: Free Speech and Intellectual Diversity are Not Essential to Higher Education
Congress, Constitutional Law, Free Speech, Politics

Rep. Goldman Calls for Trump to be “Eliminated” After Decrying his “Inflammatory Rhetoric”

Even in his freshman year, Democratic New York Rep. Dan Goldman has proven one of the most controversial members in Congress from attacking witnesses to inadvertently undermining the Biden defenses. The latest controversy involves a call to “eliminate” Donald Trump after accusing him of using “inflammatory rhetoric.” He has since apologized for his own language. Despite being one of the many past targets of Goldman’s wrath, I do not believe that Goldman was calling for violence. It was what I call “rage rhetoric” in my book The Indispensable Right. However, the incident shows the perils of criminalizing political speech.

Continue reading “Rep. Goldman Calls for Trump to be “Eliminated” After Decrying his “Inflammatory Rhetoric”” →

Academia, Constitutional Law, Free Speech

Southern California Professor Forced to Teach Remotely After Inflammatory Rhetoric Against Hamas

Economics professor John Strauss from the University of Southern California is teaching remotely for the rest of the term in a controversy that has serious free speech implications. Strauss was made the subject of a protest after confronting protesters on campus and calling for all Hamas terrorists to be killed. A deceptively edited videotape was posted that made it sound like Strauss was calling for all Palestinians to be killed. The move is part of a disturbing trend limiting free speech on campuses. Continue reading “Southern California Professor Forced to Teach Remotely After Inflammatory Rhetoric Against Hamas” →