Constitutional Law, Politics

The Jurisprudence of Shenna Bellows: Will the Secretary of State Bar Another Candidate from the Ballot?

Maine state Rep. James White (R-Guilford) has filed an objection to the selection of Troy Jackson by party delegates to replace Graham Platner on the ballot. The basis of the challenge is that Jackson previously lost in the primary and, under Maine law, cannot appear twice in the same election. It will be a tough case to make, but he would seemingly be making it to the perfect Secretary of State: Shenna Bellows.

Bellows, who was herself a candidate for the spot, previously adopted a wildly unfounded interpretation to try to block President Donald Trump from appearing on the ballot. In comparison, this demand is modest. Yet, the expectation is that Bellows will go from an unrestrained impressionist to a narrow textualist in this ballot controversy.

Continue reading “The Jurisprudence of Shenna Bellows: Will the Secretary of State Bar Another Candidate from the Ballot?” →

Travel Blog

A Trip Back Through History at the Union League of New York

This week, the book tour for “Rage and the Republic: The Unfinished Story of the American Revolution” took me back to the historic Union League Club in New York City. For a history nut, the Union League is an unparalleled delight with a building and a club steeped in American history going back to its founding in 1863.  I wanted to share a few photos from my stay at the private club. Continue reading “A Trip Back Through History at the Union League of New York” →

Constitutional Law, Free Speech

Oh Lydia! The South Carolina Supreme Court Again Rules Against Tattoo Speech

There is an interesting free-speech case filed in South Carolina brought by a tattoo parlor challenging a state law that not only bars tattoo facilities from 1000 feet of churches, schools, or playgrounds, but also bans tattoos on the face, neck, or head. The case presents a common challenge for free speech advocates like myself. I have a visceral dislike for tattoos (particularly on the face), but I believe that they are a form of free expression. I, therefore, view the South Carolina law, S.C. Code Ann. § 44-34- 100, as unconstitutional under the First Amendment. (The litigants include claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and the 14th Amendment). Continue reading “Oh Lydia! The South Carolina Supreme Court Again Rules Against Tattoo Speech” →

Columns, Courts

Boasberg’s Law: Chief District Court Judge Under Renewed Scrutiny Over Pattern of Unilateral Actions

Below is my column on Fox.com on the most recent controversial decision from Chief Judge James Boasberg in Washington, D.C. While accusing President Trump of a sweeping view of his power, the court seems to have an equally expansive view of its own power.

Here is the column: Continue reading “Boasberg’s Law: Chief District Court Judge Under Renewed Scrutiny Over Pattern of Unilateral Actions” →

Events, Travel Blog

Turley Speaks at Nixon Presidential Library on “Rage and the Republic”

It was my great honor to speak this week at the Nixon Presidential Library on “Rage and the Republic: The Unfinished Story of the American Revolution.”  It was the library’s anniversary, and the event was held in the library’s beautiful version of the East Room. Below is the videotape of the remarks.

Continue reading “Turley Speaks at Nixon Presidential Library on “Rage and the Republic”” →

Free Speech, International, Society

UK Politicians Call for More Speech Regulation After the Murder of Ann Widdecombe, Who Opposed Such Measures

The murder of British conservative icon Ann Widdecombe was barely reported when the usual suspects gathered to use her death to call for even greater censorship in the United Kingdom. The move follows Rahm Emanuel’s principle that you “never want a serious crisis to go to waste.” We saw similar moves after the killing of free speech advocates, including the Charlie Hebdo massacre.  For some of the anti-free speech figures on the left, there must be a quiet sense of satisfaction to use the murder of Widdecombe, long a critic of censorship and speech regulations, as an excuse for even greater crackdowns on social media and the Internet. Continue reading “UK Politicians Call for More Speech Regulation After the Murder of Ann Widdecombe, Who Opposed Such Measures” →

Columns, Politics, Society

The Rise of the Champagne Socialists: Democratic Leaders Join Socialists in Criticizing Capitalism

Below is my column on Fox.com about the growing condemnation of capitalism in the Democratic Party as establishment figures such as Gov. Gavin Newsom pander to the extreme left of their party. It is a rising mantra among those who ignore the economic foundations of liberty in our Republic, a connection expressly made by the Framers in their embrace of Adam Smith at the time of our founding. Like a game of musical chairs, champagne socialists are rushing to find a seat before the music stops in the coming elections. Ironically, only in the United States are socialist figures in the top percent of earners and own multiple homes from Bernie Sanders to Abdul El-Sayed. As Yakov Smirnoff would say, “What a country!”

Here is the column: Continue reading “The Rise of the Champagne Socialists: Democratic Leaders Join Socialists in Criticizing Capitalism” →

Columns, Congress, Constitutional Law, Courts, Supreme Court

Democrats Dismiss Our Constitutional Traditions as ‘Nostalgia’

Below is my column in The Hill on the latest spin from the left to convince Americans to abandon core constitutional institutions and values as part of a radical agenda in the upcoming elections. Those who defend our traditions, on the 250th anniversary of our Republic, are now being accused of being “nostalgic” rather than progressive. It is a nostalgia that will take on a truly tragic element if professors, pundits and politicians are successful in this effort.

Here is the column: Continue reading “Democrats Dismiss Our Constitutional Traditions as ‘Nostalgia’” →

International, Politics, Society

The DSA and the Myth of Scandinavian Socialism

This week, Darializa Avila Chevalier was asked if there has ever been a “successful model of socialism anywhere in the world outside the United States in terms of both human rights and widespread economic justice.” The member of the Democratic Socialists of America responded by citing Sweden and Norway. It is a common false claim made by socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders and others. I address the claim head-on in Rage and the Republic.  Continue reading “The DSA and the Myth of Scandinavian Socialism” →

Constitutional Law, Courts, Politics, Supreme Court

No Mahalo for You: Hawaii Supreme Court Issues Unhinged Screed Denouncing the U.S. Supreme Court

This week, the Hawaii Supreme Court just issued a truly shocking opinion that unleashed a torrent of rage and recrimination against the majority of the United States Supreme Court, including suggesting that they are de facto racists. The opinion by Justice Todd W. Eddins is devoid of judicial restraint and decorum. The fact that other justices would join in such an unhinged screed is a disgrace to the court and the Hawaii bar. Continue reading “No Mahalo for You: Hawaii Supreme Court Issues Unhinged Screed Denouncing the U.S. Supreme Court” →

Travel Blog

A Gathering at the Iconic Chautauqua, New York
This week, I had the pleasure of speaking at Chautauqua, New York, the historic town about an hour and a half outside of Buffalo. The Chautauqua Institution has been an iconic American tradition for an annual gathering of art, spiritual, and educational events spread throughout its 856-acre property. I was not, however, speaking at the invitation of the Chautauqua Institution. I was brought in by the Advocates for Balance at Chautauqua (ABC), but more on that later. First, I wanted to share some of my experiences at this unique, beautiful town. Continue reading “A Gathering at the Iconic Chautauqua, New York” →
Columns, Congress, Constitutional Law, Politics

“Start Spreadin’ the News”: New York Losing Billions as Millionaires Flee the Big Apple

Below is my column in the New York Post on the sharp decline in millionaires in New York, costing the state billions as many flee. The exodus has been building for years but may now be accelerating. As Mayor Mamdani holds another press conference promising to end the “violence of evictions,” businesses are reading the writing on the wall. Rather than work to make the state more attractive to wealthy residents and businesses, Democrats are seeking to diminish the appeal of two-tax states. They want to tap into a long-barred area of taxation: the wealth rather than just the income of citizens. By passing a national wealth tax, Democrats will reduce the benefit of fleeing high-tax states like California and New York.

Here is the column:

Continue reading ““Start Spreadin’ the News”: New York Losing Billions as Millionaires Flee the Big Apple” →

Academia, Free Speech

“Frozen Out of Academic Life”: Law Professor Calls for “Repercussions” for Those Who Do Not “Recant” Views on Birthright Citizenship

The stifling intolerance and lack of intellectual diversity are a crushing reality in higher education today. There are few remaining conservatives or libertarians on law school faculties, which have been purged of dissenting voices through a biased hiring and promotion system. Despite years of complaints and declining public trust in higher education, faculty members continue to reinforce bias and orthodoxy in our schools. There is no better example than Fordham University School of Law professor John Pfaff, who recently called for “repercussions” for professors who do not “recant” their view that birthright citizenship is not protected by the 14th Amendment.

Continue reading ““Frozen Out of Academic Life”: Law Professor Calls for “Repercussions” for Those Who Do Not “Recant” Views on Birthright Citizenship” →

Academia, Politics

University of California Suspends Move to Restore Standardized Testing

A University of California advisory board suspended the much-celebrated planned review of the system’s admissions policies to bring back standardized testing requirements for undergraduate applicants. The decision of the academic senate’s Board of Admissions and Relations with Schools is not surprising to many of us who have been critical of the system in abandoning objective standards for admissions. Continue reading “University of California Suspends Move to Restore Standardized Testing” →

Academia

Gallup: Higher Education Hits Another Low in Public Trust as the Public Rejects Institutional Bias

According to the latest Gallup poll, only 38% of U.S. adults have a “great deal” or “quite a lot” of confidence in higher education. One of the Gallup experts told Fox News that one of the key reasons for the continued slide in public trust is “the perception that there’s a political agenda being taught.” That perception is well documented after most departments purged their ranks of any republican, conservative, or libertarian faculty members. At the same time, many faculty oppose the long-standing principle of institutional neutrality for universities, the subject of a recent debate that I had with the President of the American Association of University Professors. Continue reading “Gallup: Higher Education Hits Another Low in Public Trust as the Public Rejects Institutional Bias” →

Res ipsa loquitur – The thing itself speaks