Author: jonathanturley

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” →

Congress, Constitutional Law, Courts

No, The House Should Not Impeach Judge Boasberg

This week, Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas, formally introduced impeachment articles against U.S. District Chief Judge James Boasberg. It was a popular move with many after a series of controversial orders by Judge Boasberg. I have been highly critical of those orders, particularly the prior orders granting Special Counsel Jack Smith’s demand for the telephone records of Republican members of Congress in the “Arctic Frost” probe. However, I disagree that his order meets the standard for impeachment under the Constitution. Continue reading “No, The House Should Not Impeach Judge Boasberg” →

Criminal law, Politics

A Quarter of Americans Now Believe Political Violence is Justified
We have seen a rise in both rage rhetoric and political violence. New polling shows a shocking level of support for political violence, even after the assassination of Charlie Kirk. A new poll shows roughly a quarter of voters believe political violence is justified with the highest percentage among younger voters.

Continue reading “A Quarter of Americans Now Believe Political Violence is Justified” →

Politics, Society

“I Hope You Die”: Montana Race Rattled by Latest Example of Rage Rhetoric

This week, I ran a column on how many on the left have discovered the joy and release of unmitigated hate speech. Democratic Helena City Commissioner candidate Haley McKnight is under fire for messages left on the phone of freshman Sen. Tim Sheehy, R-Mont., in which she hopes for him to get cancer and die. It comes on the day that voters are going to the polls in Virginia, where the Democratic candidate for Attorney General, Jay Jones, admitted that he previously expressed a desire to kill a political opponent and his children. As a measure of the appeal of rage rhetoric, Jones remains the leading candidate in the race, with most Democrats planning to vote for him. Continue reading ““I Hope You Die”: Montana Race Rattled by Latest Example of Rage Rhetoric” →

Columns, Politics

“We’re Coming After You” — How Some on the Left Found Peace Through Hate

Below is my column in the Hill on how some on the American left have learned how to hate. Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones is actually leading in the polls after admitting that he wanted to see a political opponent and his children killed. It appears that many Democratic voters have now embraced the rage as leaders ratchet up violent rhetoric. Those who once demanded the criminalization of hate speech appear to relish it.

Here is the column: Continue reading ““We’re Coming After You” — How Some on the Left Found Peace Through Hate” →

Columns, Constitutional Law, Criminal law

Illinois Bars ICE Arrests in State Courthouses and Safe Zones
Sanctuary by Richard Burchett

Illinois has now joined California and Connecticut in barring federal immigration agents from conducting “civil arrests” of illegal aliens in or around state courthouses. The sanctuary law appears largely performative since it also appears unconstitutional. It is difficult to see how a state can bar the exercise of federal jurisdiction, at least after the Civil War. Continue reading “Illinois Bars ICE Arrests in State Courthouses and Safe Zones” →

Constitutional Law, Politics

“An Inquisitor Rather Than a Neutral Adjudicator”: Seventh Circuit Slams Judge Over ICE Order in Chicago

The United States Circuit Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit yesterday overturned a federal judge’s order requiring Immigration and Customs Enforcement Chief Greg Bovino to give daily immigration enforcement reports. In a stinging order, the panel found that U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis, an Obama appointee, had exceeded her powers and role as a federal judge in ordering the measures. Continue reading ““An Inquisitor Rather Than a Neutral Adjudicator”: Seventh Circuit Slams Judge Over ICE Order in Chicago” →

Politics

Controversial Democratic Lawyer Argues Republican Majorities Are Evidence of Racism Under the Voting Rights Act
(MSNBC/via YouTube)

There is another bizarre filing from Mark Elias, the controversial Democratic lawyer who helped to secretly fund the infamous Steele Dossier. In a new filing, Elias is challenging the district in New York City with the lone Republican member as violating the state voting rights act. Elias is effectively arguing that voting Republican is evidence of racism.

Continue reading “Controversial Democratic Lawyer Argues Republican Majorities Are Evidence of Racism Under the Voting Rights Act” →

Free Speech, International

German Activist Seeks Asylum in the United States After Antifa Death Threats

For years, some of us have been writing about the collapse of free speech protections in Europe as the left criminalizes a wide range of expressions and viewpoints. Now, a leading young German advocate, Naomi Seibt, known as the “Anti-Greta,” is seeking political asylum in the United States after years of Antifa threats. At one time, the idea of someone seeking asylum from a Western democracy would have been considered material for the Onion. Today, it is credible given the rising intolerance for opposing views in countries like Germany. Continue reading “German Activist Seeks Asylum in the United States After Antifa Death Threats” →

Criminal law, Free Speech

University of Colorado TPUSA Student Leader Attacked After Antifa Posted “Hit List”
As Democratic leaders like Rep. Dan Goldman (D, N.Y.) insist that Antifa does not exist as a group, two Antifa groups — Front Range Antifa and Colorado Springs Antifa — put out a hit list poster on a University of Colorado sophomore and leader in Turning Point USA. He was promptly attacked by a person in the signature Antifa black outfit on roller blades who used a hockey stick to mete out the punishment.

Continue reading “University of Colorado TPUSA Student Leader Attacked After Antifa Posted “Hit List”” →

Criminal law, Free Speech

Tennessee Man Arrested After Mocking Charlie Kirk Memorial

There is a concerning free speech case out of Tennessee where a retired police officer was arrested after posting anti-Charlie Kirk messages on the Internet. Larry Bushart, 61, of Lexington, Tennessee, was arrested for threatening a mass shooting at a school, but the cited messages do not support such a claim. Indeed, his comments appear to be protected political speech under governing Supreme Court precedent. Continue reading “Tennessee Man Arrested After Mocking Charlie Kirk Memorial” →

Congress

AFGE Union Calls on Democrats to End Shutdown

In what Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) has reportedly called a possible game-changer, the American Federation of Government Employees union is demanding that Democrats end the government shutdown. Reporter Burgess Everett, Congressional Bureau Chief for Semafor,  posted “Sen. Durbin, No. 2 Democrat, says AFGE calling for end to shutdown ‘has a lot of impact.'” Continue reading “AFGE Union Calls on Democrats to End Shutdown” →

Academia, Columns

Harvard’s Unblinking Hypocrisy: Dean Retained After Denouncing ‘Evil’ Police, ‘Whiteness’

Below is my column in the Hill on the hypocrisy of Harvard in yet another controversy involving a resident house dean. Gregory Davis is accused of hateful, racist messages, but, so far, it is not viewed as “untenable” by the university. His rage is righteous in the view of many.

Here is the column: Continue reading “Harvard’s Unblinking Hypocrisy: Dean Retained After Denouncing ‘Evil’ Police, ‘Whiteness’” →

Res ipsa loquitur – The thing itself speaks