Academia, Politics

Education Department Calls for Transparency and Tolerance … Teacher Unions Cry Foul
The decline of higher education into an ideological echo chamber has been widely discussed on this and other sites. Polls show record lows in the public trust in our universities and colleges as revenues decline and closures increase. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon responded to this meltdown with a common-sense call for greater transparency and tolerance. The response from teacher unions has been nothing short of hysteria, led by Randi Weingarten at the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and Todd Wolfson at the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) — two of the most polarizing and political figures in teaching.

Continue reading “Education Department Calls for Transparency and Tolerance … Teacher Unions Cry Foul” →

Congress, Constitutional Law, Free Speech

Protecting the Indispensable Right: It is Time to Pass the Free Speech Attorney’s Fee Legislation

A newly proposed bill in Congress could make a meaningful difference in the fight to restore free speech protections in higher education. The Restoring Civil Rights Attorney’s Fees Act of 2026 would address a practical problem for civil rights and free speech groups suing public universities for the denial of free speech. When universities lose at the preliminary injunction stage, advocates cannot recoup costs and fees. The bill would allow that recovery and, as a result, level the playing field with universities, which can tap public funds to litigate these cases. Continue reading “Protecting the Indispensable Right: It is Time to Pass the Free Speech Attorney’s Fee Legislation” →

Congress, Courts, Society, Supreme Court

Justice (and Justices’ Investments) Should Be Blind: The Alito Controversy Raises Persistent Problem on the Court

Yesterday, Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito recused himself from one of the term’s most important cases: Suncor Energy Inc. v. County Commissioners of Boulder County. As I have previously discussed, the case involving the liability of energy companies for nuisance actions tied to climate change could have sweeping implications for the country. Justice Alito should be commended for avoiding even the appearance of a personal interest or a conflict in the case. However, the controversy should prompt the Court to explore a longstanding problem for justices in holding financial interests that can conflict with their duties. The solution is simple: justices need to use blind trusts. Continue reading “Justice (and Justices’ Investments) Should Be Blind: The Alito Controversy Raises Persistent Problem on the Court” →

Academia

Turley to Receive History Prize for “Rage and the Republic”

This Saturday, I have the pleasure of receiving the 2026 New Jersey Society of the Cincinnati 2026 History Prize for Rage and the Republic: The Unfinished Story of the American Revolution. I have been thrilled by the reception of the book and I am particularly grateful for the recognition of the history prize of the New Jersey Society of the Cincinnati . Continue reading “Turley to Receive History Prize for “Rage and the Republic”” →

Columns, Constitutional Law, Courts, Criminal law, Free Speech, Politics, Supreme Court

The October Term: A Preview of the Coming Cases for Another “Big Year” on the Court

Below is my column in The Hill with a preview of the coming October Term at the Supreme Court. It already has the making of another “big year” on the Court.

Here is the column:

Continue reading “The October Term: A Preview of the Coming Cases for Another “Big Year” on the Court” →

Congress, Constitutional Law, Politics, Supreme Court

“Corrupted”: Madeleine Dean Joins the Court-Bashing Mob

Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-PA) has been struggling with other members of the Democratic establishment to appease the far-left radicals in her party. Last week, she insisted that she was not concerned about the rising socialist movement in her party. Sixty-five percent of Democratic voters now support socialism and a shocking 60% would support a military coup. Now Dean is throwing the Supreme Court to the mob, declaring that the institution is “corrupted,” the common claim of court-packers to justify a hostile takeover of the Court. She has joined an ignoble list of politicians who choose personal power over our constitutional principles.

Constitutional Law, Courts, Supreme Court

You Had Me at Mahalo: Ninth Circuit Upholds Latest Gun Restrictions Out of Hawaii

Hawaii has long been open about its hostility to Second Amendment rights, joining New York, Illinois, and other states that have proven to be fonts of litigation before the courts. Ironically, these states have proven a bonanza for gun rights advocates in triggering a series of massive losses before the Supreme Court and the expansion of protections under the Second Amendment. On the heels of a major loss before the Court in Wolford v. Lopez over its “Vampire Law,” the state (and the Ninth Circuit) are back again with a new controversy over the permissible limitations or regulations that can be placed on gun ownership. To paraphrase Jerry Maguire, it also seems that gun control advocates always have the Ninth Circuit at “Mahalo.” Continue reading “You Had Me at Mahalo: Ninth Circuit Upholds Latest Gun Restrictions Out of Hawaii” →

Politics, Society

The Socialist Chic: Almost Half of Americans Now Hold Positive Views of Socialism

Karl Marx believed that “Democracy is the road to socialism.” Socialists seem to have found a generation of dupes to buy their ahistorical, fanciful pitch. A new poll shows 43% now have a positive view of socialism. An astonishing 65% of Democrats have a positive view. Socialism is now the rage on the left.

Continue reading “The Socialist Chic: Almost Half of Americans Now Hold Positive Views of Socialism” →

Constitutional Law, Politics, Society

Bring on the Generals: Roughly 60 Percent of Polled Democrats Would Support a Military Coup
Constitutional Law, Media, Politics

Federal Court Orders Reinstatement of CNN, MS NOW, and Politico at White House

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” →

Constitutional Law, Supreme Court

Second Shot at the Second Amendment: Could Heller Be Undone by an Errant Qualifier?
Many of us are gearing up with columns previewing the Court’s October term and have highlighted the upcoming arguments over bans on AR-15s and semiautomatic weapons out of the Seventh Circuit in Chicago (Viramontes v. Cook County) and the Second Circuit in New York (Grant v. Higgins). In a recent column, Professor Rory Little suggests that these cases will strike at what he considers a glaring flaw in the Heller decision that recognized the individual right under the Second Amendment. Professor Little repeats a common claim about Heller that some of us have challenged. I wanted to briefly address that controversy again. Continue reading “Second Shot at the Second Amendment: Could Heller Be Undone by an Errant Qualifier?” →
Criminal law, Lawyering

From Holdout to Hunted: Kevin Reddington Seeks Phone Records and Interview with Holdout Clancy Juror

Defense attorney Kevin Reddington appears to be moving from zealous advocacy to virtual stalking in the Lindsay Clancy case. Reddington is seeking phone records, surveillance, and criminal records of Michael Desronvil, the now-identified juror who held out in the 11-1 hung jury decision. Reddington’s demand follows his unprofessional attack on the juror on the courthouse steps after the trial. Continue reading “From Holdout to Hunted: Kevin Reddington Seeks Phone Records and Interview with Holdout Clancy Juror” →

Constitutional Law, Courts, Media, Politics, Society, Supreme Court

Fake News or Viewpoint Discrimination: Can the President Ban Disfavored Media?

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?” →

Columns, Constitutional Law, Politics, Supreme Court

Unpacking the Narrative: The Supreme Court Remains a Court of Consensus

Below is my column in the New York Post challenging the narrative of the Supreme Court as hopelessly ideologically divided. As the Court heads into the October Session, it remains a court of consensus on the vast majority of cases. While this false narrative is central to the push to pack the Court, the statistics belie the claims of critics.

Here is the column: Continue reading “Unpacking the Narrative: The Supreme Court Remains a Court of Consensus” →

Res ipsa loquitur – The thing itself speaks