Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., did the impossible last week: he reached a new low in American politics. Previously, Swalwell mocked a female senator after she complained about being threatened by leftists. However, even on the Swalwell scale, it is hard to measure the depths of a member who calls for potential presidents to pledge to demolish the Trump ballroom as a litmus test for office. Consider that for a second. According to Swalwell, Democrats will only consider politicians who promise to destroy a $300 million building to appease the lowest common denominator of their party. Continue reading “Wrecking Ball Politics: Swalwell Calls for Destructive Pledge from Democratic Presidential Candidates”
Author: jonathanturley
Various blue states are facing towering budget deficits as federal pandemic payments end and expenditures rise. The result is a widening gap between the two parties on tax policies as Democratic leaders seek to avoid massive budget cuts in favor of tax increases. Two of the most economically moronic measures can be found in California and Illinois where leaders could be pushing high-tax residents out of their respective states. Continue reading “California and Chicago Move Toward Taxation Armageddon”
A plan at Utah Valley University (UVU) to create a memorial to Charlie Kirk has been met by protests and a petition signed by thousands to block the effort. One protester declared, “We don’t want his likeness on campus.” That is hardly a new sentiment since Kirk was assassinated on the campus on Sept. 10, 2025. However, the protest shows the sense of license that many have in opposing anyone with conflicting views, including those represented in memorials. Continue reading ““We Don’t Want his Likeness on Campus”: Protesters Move to Block Kirk Memorial at UVU”
Despite calls for many Democratic politicians and pundits to temper their inflammatory rhetoric, this week has proven a further escalation in this dangerous form of rage rhetoric. DNC Chair Ken Martin just told MSNBC’s “The Beat” that “we may be nearing” the moment when “elections don’t matter and then the resistance looks completely different.” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called on people to “forcefully rise up.” With political violence on the rise, these leaders are clearly fueling the mob in hopes that they and their party can ride the wave of rage back into power. History suggests that it is a foolish delusion. Today’s revolutionaries quickly become tomorrow’s reactionaries. Continue reading ““We May Be Nearing” when “the Resistance Looks Completely Different”: Democrat Leaders Ramp Up Resistance Rhetoric”
Yesterday, I had the pleasure of speaking as part of the Presidential Series at the Union League of Philadelphia on my book, “The Indispensable Right: Free Speech in an Age of Rage.” As a history buff, it was a particular pleasure to speak in the historic building on the National Register of Historic Places. This private club has lovingly preserved American history, from the building itself to its impressive art collection. I wanted to share a few photos from this American gem. Continue reading “Turley Speaks on Free Speech at Union League of Philadelphia”
Stacey Patton, professor of journalism at Howard University, has caused an uproar with her advice to white people who want to oppose this Administration. Patton told them that they had to follow the path of John Brown, who led a bloodbath before the Civil War that included killing white slave owners and pro-slave settlers. Continue reading ““What am I Willing to Burn”? Howard Journalism Professor Calls for Whites to Emulate John Brown”
Switzerland was famous (or infamous) for staying neutral in World War II. It simply would not take a side between the Nazis and the rest of the world. However, when it comes to free speech, Switzerland has declared war on anyone who challenges certain orthodox positions, including gender policies. Just ask Emanuel Brünisholz. Continue reading “Switzerland Goes to War Against Free Speech: Man Jailed for Claiming that Skeletons Reflect Gender” 
In a recent debate with a Harvard Law Professor, I was surprised when my counterpart insisted with (other dubious factual claims) that no one has celebrated the death of Charlie Kirk. He knew that the challenge for me to name one was unlikely to be answered in a debate on a different topic, even though many have celebrated and mocked the assassination on the left. The tactic is part of a type of name game being played on many cable shows. That was again evident this week when Harry Sisson, a liberal commentator, challenged a panel to name one person who analogized Trump to Hitler. It was also on display when Rep. Dan Goldman (D., N.Y.) challenged anyone to name a single Antifa member. The name game is popular because it is rarely challenged on the spot, though that was not the case with Sisson. Continue reading “The Name Game: Democrats Keep Asking for Names . . . and Getting Them”
The large “No Kings” protests this weekend were peaceful with the exception of some hot spots in Portland near ICE facilities. There were the usual hot heads carrying guillotines and North Carolina Democrat Rep. Julie von Haefen is under fire for posting a picture of a beheaded Trump. Another protester was arrested for calling for protesters to “firebomb” ICE facilities and personnel. In another scene, children were encouraged to beat a Trump piñata. There was also an assault on a MAGA supporter. These remained happily isolated incidents. However, two school employees in Chicago drew national attention with their violent speeches and offered another test of our free speech standards. Continue reading “Two Chicago Educators Face Questions Over “No Kings” Protest Calls”
Jimmy Kimmel is back on television by less than popular demand. Kimmel’s ratings are hardly robust (Kimmel pulls in 1.85 million in comparison to Gutfeld! at 3.2 million). Still, his suspension for spreading disinformation about the killer of Charlie Kirk became a cause celebre on the left. Kimmel continues to air nightly screeds against Trump and conservatives. Of course, he is hardly unique in appealing to an echo-chambered audience. However, this week Kimmel showed children being read Eric Trump’s book by a drag queen. What was most disturbing was not the use of the children to echo talking points on how great drag queens are, but showing them throwing Trump’s book into a wood chipper. It appears that nothing is funnier for the modern left than a good book burning or chipping. Continue reading “Jimmy Kimmel and Making Book Burning Fun Again”
Below is my column in The Hill on the recent controversy at Rutgers University, where different groups are pushing to ban Turning Point USA and Professor Mark Bray, the author of the “Antifa Handbook.” The campus has become a microcosm of a broader debate in higher education, which continues to struggle with drawing lines on free speech and academic freedom. Notably, the faculty and the student body recently overwhelmingly voted to support Bray, but few have spoken out in support of the TPUSA group.
Here is the column:
Continue reading “Why We Must Protect Both Turning Point and Mark Bray”
There has been a massive increase in Turning Point chapters and membership following the assassination of founder Charlie Kirk. Students who felt chilled in their ability to express their faith or values on campus stepped forward after the murder. That does not sit well with some faculty. One example is Derek Lopez, a teacher’s assistant and graduate student at Illinois State University, who was shown trashing a TPUSA table and mocking the shocked students. He was later arrested. Continue reading ““Jesus Did It”: Illinois State University Teacher’s Assistant Arrested After Trashing TPUSA Table”
The American Association of University Professors (AAUP) has long been criticized for far-left policies and activism. Some of us have criticized the organization for ignoring academic priorities and the record-low polling on public trust in higher education. Its president, Todd Wolfson, is now taking that activism global with a boycott policy that leaves little room for faculty members who support Israel. Continue reading “AAUP President Demands Weapons Boycott on Israel and Attacks Trump Supporters as “Fascists””
I recently wrote about the effort of leading politicians, pundits, and the press to deny the existence of Antifa as violence on the left rises around the country. Even Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison (D) insisted that “nobody” knows what the left-wing terrorist organization Antifa is and that it does not exist. However, he previously promoted the “Antifa Handbook” in 2018 and praised the group as terrifying Trump. Rep. Dan Goldman (D., N.Y.) dared anyone to name a single member of Antifa. The Justice Department just named two in what is believed to be the first terrorism-related prosecution of Antifa members. Continue reading “Two Alleged Antifa Members Charged with Terrorism-Related Crimes”
Yesterday, the Supreme Court held the long-awaited argument in Louisiana v. Callais, considering an appeal of Louisiana’s congressional map. The two majority-black districts are being challenged under the 15th Amendment and the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment as unconstitutionally gerrymandered on the basis of race. The case could result in a rejection of race-based congressional districting under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. Continue reading ““Race-Based Remedies Should Have an End Point”: Justices Appear Poised to Issue Historic Ruling on the Voting Rights Act”