Category: Columns

Columns, Constitutional Law, Religion, Supreme Court

The End is Nigh: Liberal Justices Predict “Chaos” and the Demise of Public Education Without Mandatory LGBTQ Material

Below is my column in The Hill on the ruling in Mahmoud v. Taylor in favor of parents who want to withdraw their children from LGBTQ lessons in public schools. I agreed with the majority, but it was Justice Sonia Sotomayor’s dissent (joined by Justices Kagan and Jackson) that was the most striking in its apocalyptic take on allowing parents to remove their children from these classes. Despite the fact that various opt-outs have been allowed for parents, this one is deemed a threat to the very essence of public education.

Here is the column:

Continue reading “The End is Nigh: Liberal Justices Predict “Chaos” and the Demise of Public Education Without Mandatory LGBTQ Material” →

Columns, Constitutional Law, Courts, Politics, Supreme Court

The Chilling Jurisprudence of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson

Below is my column in the New York Post on the controversial dissenting opinion of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson in the injunction ruling in Trump v. CASA on Friday. The opinion seemed to fan the flames of “democracy is dying” claims of protesters, suggesting that basic limits on injunctive relief could result in the collapse of our core institutions. It was a hyperventilated opinion better suited to a cable program than a Court opinion. The response from Justice Amy Coney Barrett was a virtual pile driver of a rebuke. What was notable is that a majority of the justices signed off on the takedown. It could indicate a certain exasperation with histrionics coming from the left of the Court in recent years.

Here is the column: Continue reading “The Chilling Jurisprudence of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson” →

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” →

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” →

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” →

Columns, Criminal law

Always Ready, Always There: Democrats Mobilize Against the National Guard Deployment

Below is my column in Fox.com on the deployment of National Guard in Los Angeles. Another round of court challenges are unfolding, but the escalation is likely to continue on both sides. While the Guard’s motto is “Always Ready, Always There!,” California Democrats do not want them between rioters and federal law enforcement.

Here is the column: Continue reading “Always Ready, Always There: Democrats Mobilize Against the National Guard Deployment” →

Columns, Politics

Trump Did It: Executives and Administrators Are Increasingly Using TDI to Fight DEI

Below is my column in The Hill on a new emerging mantra from businesses and universities seeking to roll back on DEI and other programs: Trump Did It. The TDI defense is allowing executives and administrators to do what they lacked the courage to do for years.

Here is the column: Continue reading “Trump Did It: Executives and Administrators Are Increasingly Using TDI to Fight DEI” →

Columns, Free Speech, International

Marco Rubio Declares War on the Global Censors

Below is my column in The Hill on the new policy of Secretary Marco Rubio to deny entry of foreign figures responsible for the censorship of American citizens. It would constitute the first meaningful response to the growing threat of Europe to free speech in the United States. In the very least, it signals that the United States is prepared to fight to preserve this “Indispensable Right.”

Here is the column: Continue reading “Marco Rubio Declares War on the Global Censors” →

Columns, Congress, Constitutional Law, Politics

Liberation Dusk? Court Strikes Down Trump Tariffs in the Midst of Trade Negotiations

Below is my column in the New York Post on the decision yesterday finding that the Trump tariffs are invalid. What happens now will be, if nothing else, interesting. Dusk has come to Liberation Day. Trump has options, but the pressure will now be greater on Congress as bilateral trade agreements are moving forward.

Here is the column: Continue reading “Liberation Dusk? Court Strikes Down Trump Tariffs in the Midst of Trade Negotiations” →

Columns, Congress, Constitutional Law, Criminal law

The Red Line: Democratic Officials Claim a Dangerous License for Illegality

Across the country, a new defense is being heard in state and federal courtrooms. From Democratic members of Congress to judges to city council members, officials claim that their official duties include obstructing the official functions of the federal government. It is a type of liberal license that excuses most any crime in the name of combating what Minn. Gov. Tim Walz called the “modern-day Gestapo” of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Continue reading “The Red Line: Democratic Officials Claim a Dangerous License for Illegality” →

Columns, Constitutional Law, Courts

Courting Controversy: Justices’ Side Commentaries Undermine the Supreme Court

Below is my column in The Hill on the controversy this month over extrajudicial comments made by Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan. These are only the latest such comments by justices that became distractions during the discussion of pending cases before the Court.

Here is the column: Continue reading “Courting Controversy: Justices’ Side Commentaries Undermine the Supreme Court” →