Author: jonathanturley

Columns, Congress, Constitutional Law

‘Where’s Jackie?”: Why the Public Needs Answers on Biden’s Alleged Incapacity

Below is a slightly expanded version of my column in U.S. News & World Report on the investigations into President Joe Biden’s mental state in his second term of office. While I do not expect any prosecution to come from these investigations, there are ample reasons why we should get answers to some of these questions as we continue to struggle with the problem of presidential incapacity.

Here is the column:

Continue reading “‘Where’s Jackie?”: Why the Public Needs Answers on Biden’s Alleged Incapacity” →

Columns, Congress, Constitutional Law

The Claude Rains School of Constitutional Law: Democrats Denounce Iranian Attack as Unconstitutional

Yesterday, I wrote a column in the Hill discussing how Trump is unlikely to go to Congress in launching an attack on Iran and how he has history on his side in acting unilaterally. The column noted that many Democratic politicians and pundits who were supportive of such unilateral actions by Democratic presidents such as Bill Clinton and Barack Obama are suddenly opposed to Trump using the same power. It is the Claude Rains School of Constitutional Law where politicians are “shocked, shocked” that Trump is using the authority that they accepted in Democratic predecessors.

Continue reading “The Claude Rains School of Constitutional Law: Democrats Denounce Iranian Attack as Unconstitutional” →

Constitutional Law, Courts

Ninth Circuit Strikes Down California’s “1-in-30” Gun Rationing Law

A unanimous panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has struck down California’s “1-in-30” gun rationing law as unconstitutional under the Second Amendment. The law restricted citizens to one gun purchase every 30 days and was based on a ridiculous rationale that was shredded by the three-judge panel. Continue reading “Ninth Circuit Strikes Down California’s “1-in-30” Gun Rationing Law” →

Courts, Politics

Ninth Circuit Rules for Trump on National Guard Deployment

California Gov. Gavin Newsom just lost a major ruling in the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, which ruled that President Donald Trump is likely to prevail in his deployment of National Guard troops. Newsom and various Democratic politicians have insisted that Trump’s order is unlawful and that Newsom has to agree to any request for deployment. The Ninth Circuit ruled on Thursday that Newsom does not have such a veto over deployments. Continue reading “Ninth Circuit Rules for Trump on National Guard Deployment” →

Academia, Free Speech

University of Oregon Loses Roughly $750,000 in Fighting Free Speech Claim

We have been following the case of Portland State University Professor Bruce Gilley, who was blocked from the Twitter account of the University of Oregon’s Division of Equity and Inclusion after tweeting “All men are created equal.” The case was an obvious attack on free speech by the University of Oregon.  Now the public will pay over three-quarters of a million dollars for the university’s anti-free speech conduct. Continue reading “University of Oregon Loses Roughly $750,000 in Fighting Free Speech Claim” →

Constitutional Law, Courts, Politics, Supreme Court

The Supreme Court Delivers a Blow to Transgender Cases

Yesterday, the Supreme Court issued its 6-3 ruling upholding a Tennessee ban on transgender medical treatments for adolescents. The ruling has major implications for pending transgender cases, particularly the concurrence of Justice Amy Coney Barrett rejecting the claim that transgender status qualifies as a group entitled to heightened scrutiny under the Constitution.  One of those cases just resulted in a major ruling in Boston against the move by the Trump Administration to restore the binary options of “male” and “female” sex designations on U.S. passports. Continue reading “The Supreme Court Delivers a Blow to Transgender Cases” →

Columns, Society

Why Pope Leo Is Really a Cubs Fan . . . Even If He Doesn’t Know It
C-Span

Below is a slightly expanded column in USA Today on the recent release of a Vatican photo of Pope Leo XIV wearing a White Sox hat. For Catholic Northsiders, it was the greatest challenge to the unity of the Church since Pope Leo IX faced Great Schism of 1054. While that was just between the East and West church, the North and South division in Chicago is far deeper and seemingly insurmountable. After all, we were grappling with mere ecclesiastical divisions in 1054. This is Chicago baseball. However, where there is faith, there is hope.

Here is the column:

Continue reading “Why Pope Leo Is Really a Cubs Fan . . . Even If He Doesn’t Know It” →

Travel Blog

Over There: A Visit to National World War I Museum and Memorial

I had the pleasure of speaking to different groups in Kansas City this week about my book, “The Indispensable Right: Free Speech in an Age of Rage.” When I was first contacted about the events, I was unsure that I could fit it into the schedule. That is when one of the hosts told me that one of the events would be held at the National World War I Museum. As a military history nut, that ended any doubt. I have wanted to visit the museum for years and could not resist the opportunity. It would turn out to be an overwhelming experience. Kansas City is a beautiful city filled with great food and wonderful people. However, if you come just for the museum, you would consider yourself well served. This is a unique space and captures the causes and costs of the Great War. Continue reading “Over There: A Visit to National World War I Museum and Memorial” →

Courts, Justice, Politics

More Heat Than Light: New York Judge Blocks ICE Access to Rikers Island Over Alleged Adams Conflict

This week, New York Judge Mary Rosado issued an opinion in Council of City of N.Y. v. Adams. The court is blocking the city from allowing the federal government to maintain office space at Rikers Island. The reason is that Rosado agreed that Mayor Eric Adams had a conflict of interest and likely bargained away the access as part of a quid pro quo arrangement to get the Justice Department to drop criminal charges against him.  The opinion is quite extraordinary and, in my view, fundamentally flawed. The opinion generated more heat than light on the proper handling of a conflict of interest.

Continue reading “More Heat Than Light: New York Judge Blocks ICE Access to Rikers Island Over Alleged Adams Conflict” →

Events, Free Speech

Turley Speaks in Kansas City on Free Speech

Today I will have the pleasure of speaking at two events in Kansas City on my book, “The Indispensable Right: Free Speech in an Age of Rage.” I will first speak at the Judge David J. Waxse Memorial Summer Lecture Series on the Constitution. It is organized by the Kansas Johnson County First Amendment Foundation, Kansas First Amendment Foundation, Kansas City University, and supporting groups. I will then speak in the evening at an event with the American Public Square. I will be happy to sign books at both events. Continue reading “Turley Speaks in Kansas City on Free Speech” →

Columns, Constitutional Law, Politics

Monarchy Malarkey: Democrats Revive Claim that Democracy is Dying in the “No Kings” Protests

Below is my column in the Hill on resumption of the claims that “democracy is dying” as part of the “No Kings” protests. When this column posted, I was inundated with the usual threats and profanity. However, the emails and messages were particularly vehement this week. (One on Father’s Day explained that when a bullet is put in my head, my children would celebrate).  For self-professed champions of democracy, there is nothing more deflating and demoralizing than being told that democracy is not dying. “No Kings” is the ultimate virtue signal, but it requires a monarch to make the self-image complete. There are obviously important issues to debate and to protest. However, we can have that debate without the absurd claims that our constitutional system is failing, as claimed by many politicians and pundits.

Here is the column:

Continue reading “Monarchy Malarkey: Democrats Revive Claim that Democracy is Dying in the “No Kings” Protests” →

Politics, Society

Assassination Sweepstakes: The Shooting of Minnesota Politicians Unleashes Partisan Fingerpointing

It is arguably the most disheartening aspect of the “Age of Rage.” Almost immediately after the shooting of Minnesota politicians and their spouses, the press, pundits, and politicians leaped to capitalize on the tragedy by blaming the other side for political violence. There is a sick, almost hopeful, quality to the commentary as political pundits hope that they win this round of the assassination sweepstakes with a criminal associated with the other party. Initial reports fueled such speculation on both sides. Some are now saying that Boelter suffered from “MAGA disease” while others are claiming that he is a “far left” goon. Still others insist that he is “a far right, MAGA, left wing loon,”

Continue reading “Assassination Sweepstakes: The Shooting of Minnesota Politicians Unleashes Partisan Fingerpointing” →

Criminal law, Politics

“In the Spirit of Your Loyalty”: LA Citycouncil Member Asks Police to Warn Citizens of Federal Operations

There was an extraordinary moment this week in Los Angeles where  City Councilmember Imelda Padilla asked LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell to monitor and warn citizens whenever the federal authorities are conducting an operation or seeking to make an arrest. Padilla asked McDonnell if they could use “AI” and other means to give immigrants a heads up to allow them to oppose or evade federal law enforcement. McDonnell gently explained that Padilla was asking him to commit a crime. Continue reading ““In the Spirit of Your Loyalty”: LA Citycouncil Member Asks Police to Warn Citizens of Federal Operations” →

Media, Politics

Clouds Over Bluesky: The Left’s Social Media Safe Space Under Fire for Intolerant and Hateful Postings

Bluesky has become a safe space for liberals seeking to avoid the triggering presence of opposing views since the Trump reelection. The relatively small site now has over 30 million followers (in comparison 260 million for X and 3 billion on Facebook). Now, however, users like billionaire Mark Cuban are complaining that Bluesky is just another intolerant echo chamber on the left and some are reportedly returning to X. Continue reading “Clouds Over Bluesky: The Left’s Social Media Safe Space Under Fire for Intolerant and Hateful Postings” →