Happy Independence Day!
Despite the planned protests, most Americans will join today in celebrating our common article of faith in the Declaration of Independence. This country remains the greatest hope for freedom in the world, and these protests reaffirm those rights. We celebrate the ideals of the people we strive to be — and the millions who came before us. We will be watching the fireworks tonight at home with family and setting off our own after grilling up burgers, brats, corn, and other items for our Independence Day celebration.
This is a great day for family, food, and fun. It is also a day to remember and to celebrate what we have accomplished in the protection of liberty.
I truly love this holiday because it ideally celebrates what we have in common, rather than what divides us. For all of our faults and failures, we have triumphed over great evils from without and within. The Framers gave us a system that has withstood the test of time and turmoil. It will withstand these days and we will find a course forward as a nation.
My forthcoming book, Rage and the Republic: The Unfinished Story of the American Revolution, explores the unique aspects of the American Revolution and the elements that laid the foundation for the world’s oldest and most stable constitutional system. While available now for pre-order, Simon & Schuster will be sending out the book at the start of 2026 to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
Once again, as a Madisonian scholar, you will have to forgive my quoting James Madison from Essays for the National Gazette, 1792:
“In Europe, charters of liberty have been granted by power. America has set the example … of charters of power granted by liberty. This revolution in the practice of the world, may, with an honest praise, be pronounced the most triumphant epoch of its history, and the most consoling presage of its happiness.”
Happy Fourth, everyone.
The nation that never apologized for torturing innocent Americans, has a great advertising campaign!
A young child might believe we actually have rights!
Do we say Merry 25th of December or Happy 1st of January?
The holidays actually called Independence Day!
Nobody knows the precise number of American citizens destroyed or suffering premature death from violations of 4th Amendment. Through covert-blacklisting commonly termed “Cointelpro” tactics.
Executive Branch agencies conceal this evidence from judges and juries. So not even judges or John Roberts provides judicial review over America’s most evil tactics.
This would be a great debate topic for Professor Turley. Covert-blacklisting (Cointelpro tactics) is the fatal flaw in the U.S. Constitution for over 200 years.
J Edgar Hoover got away with this disloyalty and law breaking for over 20 years.
The end goal of covert-blacklisting is to NOT arrest or indict their targets, since that in in invites a judge into the equation. The goal is lifetime punishment without any due process whatsoever. So it robs innocent Americans of “legal standing” in a court of law.
The U.S. Constitution is meaningless until we end this illegal loophole. Anyone can be destroyed and denied constitutional due process. There are no cops on the beat to stop these government abuses.
Robert Jackson – America’s greatest lawman who prosecuted and executed Nazis – believed the most vital right was the 4th Amendment governing search & seizure.
More vital than gun rights, since unconstitutional and arbitrary surveillance and search authority can silence and end your 1st Amendment rights and arbitrary searches can take away your gun rights.
Right now in 2025, some states are violating the 4th Amendment with arbitrary surveillance/search authority of women traveling to other states for legal abortions – outside that state’s legal jurisdiction.
ICE almost certainly is violating “Carpenter v. U.S.” in performing illegal surveillance/search (without warrant) to deport children, farm workers and factory workers.
Arbitrary surveillance/search authority could one day be used exactly the same way for 2nd Amendment gun rights. The premise of the “personal mapping clause” of “Carpenter v. U.S” and “U.S. v. Jones” outlaws totalitarian style surveillance (arbitrary surveillance/search with judicial warrants).
The 21st Century lawlessness perpetrated by government agencies proves Jackson had it right! The foundation of all rights is built upon the 4th Amendment.
“What country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance. Let them take arms.”
– Thomas Jefferson, letter to James Madison, December 20, 1787
Never forget the fundamental premise that independence is a spiritual endeavor first and foremost.
“Happy Independence Day!”
And to you.
Love this site and enjoy listening to your commentaries. Principled, creative and consistent legal analysis. Clear writing. Great sense of humor. One annoying thing: dangling modifiers. “Once again, as a Madisonian scholar, you will have to forgive my quoting…” Sounds as if you’re calling the reader a Madisonian scholar.
For those who have reservations on celebrating the fourth, I suggest doing what true Washingtonians do: “Reservation Issue” Fireworks.
Freedom Rings today because 249 years ago Someone wanted to die for Something (America),
and They resigned themselves to ‘Bring on the Revolution’ 🇺🇸
So, Trump is borrowing $3 trillion on a hunch that a surplus will result. He’s tried that debt hunch 6 previous times, all leading to bankruptcy.
Cry us a handful
This is what happens when partisan politics rots your brain. This is a post about our Independence Day. Not Trump, or budgets. Grow up already.
So lets all agree to cut government spending radically.
Nice sly point. Leftists griping about govt spending too much and borrowing too much is precious. The “cuts” that have been made have been opposed by those same people.
How much did biden borrow? And what did we get out of it. Higher taxes, higher food costs, higher fuel costs.
Odd you forgot that part.
A possible three trillion over the next ten years seems like small potatoes compared with Biden’s nearly three trillion in only one year, that being his last.
😊 🇺🇸 🎇 🥳
Thank you Cindy for such an appropriate video!
It’s time we finally stuck it to the lower income working class. Those losers. BBB!!!!
Loser ^^^
But 20% inflation from the last BBB was just terrific for working classes. Get over yourself, the working classes vote Republican now. You made that happen.
Blessed Independence Day to Everyone!
Only 4% of the worlds population is American. Less than that – closer to 3% – of newborns are American. If you are an American, you have won the lottery. That’s why so many more people are trying to get in than get out, and usually those trying to get out are wealthy and are either leaving because of immature ideological “issues” or are seeking a tax haven so they don’t have to pay their fair share of keeping America afloat. Regardless, if you are in the 4%, you have still won the lottery.
Once again, as a Madisonian scholar, you will . . .
Thank you, professor, for recognizing our status as Madisonian scholars 😉
Thank You, Professor Turley.. with deep Appreciation, wishing same to you on this Meaningful Day!! ..and Thank you for reminding us each and every day of exactly what we celebrate to-day.. Thank you for carrying forward the virtues, Integrity and thinking of the Founding Fathers into our present Reality….we are all Blessed for this.
Totally agree! Thank you Prof. Turley!