Author: jonathanturley

Animals, Columns, Torts

The Canine Menace: Dog Shoots Man in Pennsylvania

Next time your dog begs for a treat, you might want to give it to him. In Pennsylvania, a dog reportedly wounded his owner with a shotgun left on the bed, while in North Carolina, a dog was caught on camera setting a house (of the assistant fire chief no less) on fire with a damaged lithium battery. Since I just finished teaching my torts students about animal liability, these cases offer a teachable moment for humans and canines alike.

Continue reading “The Canine Menace: Dog Shoots Man in Pennsylvania” →

Politics, Torts

Trump Announces Defamation Lawsuit Against BBC

President Donald Trump on Friday announced that he plans to file a defamation lawsuit against the BBC for up to $5 billion over a misleading edit of his January 6, 2021, speech for the investigative documentary series Panorama. While the BBC has apologized, pulled the program, and announced the resignation of two top executives, President Trump is demanding compensation. The lawsuit, however, would be challenging if filed in the United States. (For full disclosure, I previously served as legal analyst for the BBC). Continue reading “Trump Announces Defamation Lawsuit Against BBC” →

Media, Politics

Letitia James Targets Condé Nast Over the Firing of Workers Accused of Disrupting Workplace

New York Attorney General Letitia James has a long history of lawfare, pandering to her political base by targeting Donald Trump, the National Rifle Association, and others. Now, she is thrilling her base by promising to go after Condé Nast after the company fired four employees who had a confrontation with Condé Nast Chief People Officer Stan Duncan outside of his office. Continue reading “Letitia James Targets Condé Nast Over the Firing of Workers Accused of Disrupting Workplace” →

Politics

“Chicagoans Do Not Want Us to Bankroll the Regime”: Chicago Will No Longer Buy Treasury Bonds

“It’s a bold statement, isn’t it?” Those words of  Chicago City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin hardly capture the moment. Yesterday, Conyears-Ervin declared that her office would no longer invest in U.S. Treasury bonds to protest what she called the “authoritarian regime” of President Donald Trump. It is more bonkers than bold. It makes about as much sense as President Trump saying that he will not eat deep-dish pizza to protest Chicago. Continue reading ““Chicagoans Do Not Want Us to Bankroll the Regime”: Chicago Will No Longer Buy Treasury Bonds” →

Academia, Free Speech

The Justice Department Launches Investigation into Security Failures at the Berkeley TPUSA Event
The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced this week that it is investigating the University of California, Berkeley, over the security arrangements for the Turning Point USA (TPUSA) event. Antifa and others threatened many entering or leaving the event, including reportedly blocking hundreds from the sold-out event to celebrate free speech and the legacy of murdered Charlie Kirk.

Continue reading “The Justice Department Launches Investigation into Security Failures at the Berkeley TPUSA Event” →

Academia

MSU Under Fire for Radical Teacher Training Materials on Race and Capitalism

Michigan State University’s College of Education is under scrutiny for its radical training materials for teachers as part of its program, “Social Foundations of Justice and Equity in Education.” The material includes radical race theories and a video of Communist and Black Panther Angela Davis explaining that “racism is integrally linked to capitalism.” Continue reading “MSU Under Fire for Radical Teacher Training Materials on Race and Capitalism” →

Constitutional Law, Courts

Sixth Circuit Issues Major Ruling Striking Down District’s Pronoun Policy

There is a major ruling out of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit on both free speech and student rights. The court, sitting en banc, ruled 10-7 that “the mere use of biological pronouns does not entail ‘aggressive, disruptive action.'” In the lengthy opinion, the court split along political lines with every Republican appointee voting with the student challengers and every Democratic appointee voting with the school district. Continue reading “Sixth Circuit Issues Major Ruling Striking Down District’s Pronoun Policy” →

Columns, Congress, Constitutional Law, Media, Politics

In Vino Veritas: Punch-Drunk Pundits Reveal Plans to Pack the Supreme Court

Below is my column in the Hill on moments of honesty after the recent Democratic victories in California, Virginia, New Jersey, and New York. In the euphoria that followed, Democratic politicians and pundits admitted that they intend to pursue radical changes, including packing the Supreme Court, once they retake power.

Here is the column: Continue reading “In Vino Veritas: Punch-Drunk Pundits Reveal Plans to Pack the Supreme Court” →

Criminal law, Torts

Housecleaner Shot and Killed in Indiana After Trying to Enter Wrong House

We have another Castle Doctrine or Stand Your Ground controversy this week. In Whitestown, Indiana, Maria Florinda Rios Perez, 32, died in her husband’s arms after the couple went to the wrong address to clean a house. The unidentified homeowner reportedly shot through the door. A GoFundMe site has been set up for her family. She was the mother of four.

Continue reading “Housecleaner Shot and Killed in Indiana After Trying to Enter Wrong House” →

Media

BBC Finds Presenter in Violation of Network Standards in Correcting “Pregnant People” Reference on Air

There is a controversy at the BBC over a correction made by presenter Martine Croxall on air when she changed a reference to “pregnant people” to “women.” The network later received 20 complaints and agreed that Croxall had violated network policies. (For full disclosure, I previously worked as the legal analyst for BBC). Continue reading “BBC Finds Presenter in Violation of Network Standards in Correcting “Pregnant People” Reference on Air” →

Academia, Criminal law

Iowa Student Arrested After Two Attacks on Conservative Displays on Campus

Justin Calhoon mugshotThis week, we have another attack on a display by conservative students at a U.S. university. Student members of Turning Point USA watched as a student, Justice Calhoon, flipped over their table at the University of Iowa. Notably, Calhoon had previously tossed a table of the school’s Young America’s Foundation (YAF) just days before. Calhoon has now been arrested. Continue reading “Iowa Student Arrested After Two Attacks on Conservative Displays on Campus” →

Constitutional Law, Supreme Court

Supreme Court Issues Major Opinion on Transgender Identity and the Trump Passport Policy

In a significant win for the Trump Administration, the United States Supreme Court issued an opinion on Thursday afternoon on the Trump Administration’s requirement that passport holders use their sex assigned at birth and that such requirements do not violate equal protection guarantees. While a brief, unsigned opinion issued on the interim docket, it represents a major ruling on the constitutional protections afforded to transgender individuals. Continue reading “Supreme Court Issues Major Opinion on Transgender Identity and the Trump Passport Policy” →

Courts, Criminal law

Second Circuit Remands Federal Hush Money Case in Stunning Ruling for President Trump

The United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit just delivered a significant victory for President Donald Trump and his team by vacating the decision of U.S. District Court Judge Alvin Hellerstein, an Obama appointee, and ordering him to reconsider the motion to remove the case from New York to federal court. Hellerstein, now 91, twice rejected the claim, but, according to the Second Circuit, ignored major issues favoring removal. Continue reading “Second Circuit Remands Federal Hush Money Case in Stunning Ruling for President Trump” →

Columns, Congress, Constitutional Law, Supreme Court

The Supreme Court Hears the Trump Tariff Case: Time for Plan B?

The oral argument yesterday on the Trump tariffs was fascinating as justices struggled with the knotty question of whether a president has the sweeping authority claimed by President Donald Trump under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The justices were skeptical and uncomfortable with the claim of authority, and the odds still favored the challengers. However, there is a real chance of a fractured decision that could still produce an effective win for the Administration.

Continue reading “The Supreme Court Hears the Trump Tariff Case: Time for Plan B?” →

Academia, Criminal law, Free Speech

“You Do Not Deserve a Conversation”: OSU Student Trashes Conservative Student Table

We have another incident of a student trashing a conservative table while expressing absolute impunity to do so. The Young America’s Foundation (YAF) at Oklahoma State University had a table supporting traditional marriage when a student tossed their material and claimed the absolute right to vandalize opposing views on campus. Continue reading ““You Do Not Deserve a Conversation”: OSU Student Trashes Conservative Student Table” →

Res ipsa loquitur – The thing itself speaks