Category: Congress

Congress, Criminal law, Politics

Hunter Has a Hearing Date But He Has Demands

We previously discussed how Hunter Biden was gracious enough to say that he might appear before Congress after receiving a subpoena from the House Oversight Committee when “the time is right.” As I noted at the time, that is not quite how subpoenas work. It is really not an invitation. Now a date has been set for December 13th, but Hunter’s lawyer, Abbe Lowell, is suggesting that he will not appear in private but only in a public hearing. Again, Hunter fundamentally misses the point of a congressional subpoena.

Continue reading “Hunter Has a Hearing Date But He Has Demands” →

Congress, Constitutional Law, Free Speech, Politics

Rep. Goldman Calls for Trump to be “Eliminated” After Decrying his “Inflammatory Rhetoric”

Even in his freshman year, Democratic New York Rep. Dan Goldman has proven one of the most controversial members in Congress from attacking witnesses to inadvertently undermining the Biden defenses. The latest controversy involves a call to “eliminate” Donald Trump after accusing him of using “inflammatory rhetoric.” He has since apologized for his own language. Despite being one of the many past targets of Goldman’s wrath, I do not believe that Goldman was calling for violence. It was what I call “rage rhetoric” in my book The Indispensable Right. However, the incident shows the perils of criminalizing political speech.

Continue reading “Rep. Goldman Calls for Trump to be “Eliminated” After Decrying his “Inflammatory Rhetoric”” →

Columns, Congress, Criminal law, Politics

The House ‘Concentrates the Mind’ of Hunter Biden with a Game-Changing Subpoena

Below is my column in the Messenger on the issuance of House subpoenas to the Biden family, including Hunter Biden. The move dramatically changes the profile of the investigation and the perils for the Biden family. After these subpoenas were issued, the House also subpoenaed an array of Biden associates connected to his alleged influence peddling or his art sales. After following the transfer of millions in foreign money, the Committee is drawing closer to the epicenter of the Biden family.

Here is the column: Continue reading “The House ‘Concentrates the Mind’ of Hunter Biden with a Game-Changing Subpoena” →

Congress, Politics

Running on Censorship: A California Candidate Seeks to Ride the Anti-Free Speech Wave

It is not easy to unseat an incumbent in Congress, but Will Rollins believes that he has hit on a guaranteed winner to galvanize Democratic support in California’s 41st congressional district. He is pledging to push for greater censorship to stop those “profiting by spreading division based on lies.” Of course, the former assistant U.S. Attorney suggests that he will know who is lying and who should be allowed to speak freely. Continue reading “Running on Censorship: A California Candidate Seeks to Ride the Anti-Free Speech Wave” →

Academia, Congress, Constitutional Law, Courts, Free Speech, Justice, Media, Politics, Society, Supreme Court

THE INDISPENSABLE BOOK: THE TURLEY BOOK IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER!

I am pleased to announce that my book, The Indispensable Right: Free Speech in the Age of Rage, is now available for purchase. The book and is now available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target, and other sites for pre-orders. Indeed, there are discounts for Kindle copies for pre-orders.  Simon & Schuster will release the book in June 2024, but it can be purchased now. Continue reading “THE INDISPENSABLE BOOK: THE TURLEY BOOK IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER!” →

Columns, Congress, Politics

“Your Money’s in Joe’s House”: The Biden Family’s Version of ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’

Below is my column in The Messenger on the new information on “loans” benefiting the Biden family. It seems that no interest loans are the common practice for the Bidens. After this column ran, the House Oversight Committee released a new report of an additional “loan repayment” from James Biden to Joe Biden. The money again appears to have come from a transfer sent from one of the foreign sources in the Biden influence peddling scandal, CEFC China Energy Co. It is all part of the “Wonderful Life” at the Biden Bros. Savings & Loan.

Here is the column: Continue reading ““Your Money’s in Joe’s House”: The Biden Family’s Version of ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’” →

Congress, Free Speech

Republicans Join Democrats in Defeating Censure of Rep. Tlaib

Like many, I have been highly critical of the statements made by Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) accusing Israel of bombing the hospital in Gaza and other inflammatory comments. However, I also opposed the effort to censure Tlaib on free speech grounds. I was impressed by the comments of Speaker Mike Johnson on the measure and the 23 GOP members who took the unpopular step of voting against the measure even though they disagreed with her viewpoints. Continue reading “Republicans Join Democrats in Defeating Censure of Rep. Tlaib” →

Congress, Criminal law

Bowman Video Contradicts His Account to Congress, the Court, and the Public

Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) has pleaded guilty to a single misdemeanor after he was caught on videotape pulling a fire alarm in the middle of a key vote to avoid a government shutdown.  The misdemeanor was the charge that I discussed when this first arose. However, the release of the videotape raises another issue: whether Bowman has clearly lied to not just the court but Congress in his account. Continue reading “Bowman Video Contradicts His Account to Congress, the Court, and the Public” →

Columns, Congress, Constitutional Law, Free Speech

No, Congress Should Not Expel the Squad

 

 

Below is my column in the Daily Beast on the call from Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) to expel members of the Squad from Congress. Five members recently made public comments against Israel at rallies in Washington:  Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and Cori Bush of Missouri.  Similar to calls from Democrats to disqualify Republicans for their support of Donald Trump’s election claims, the move against the far left members would establish a dangerous precedent for Congress. It would also devastate both free speech and democratic values.

Here is the column:

Continue reading “No, Congress Should Not Expel the Squad” →

Congress, Constitutional Law, Free Speech, Media

Rep. Ilhan Omar Retweets False Photo of Palestinian Children Killed by Israeli Forces

Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., has long been a leading voice among Democrats calling for censorship and speech controls in the name of combatting disinformation. She is now accused of precisely the same conduct after posting a picture purportedly showing children killed by Israeli forces. In reality, it was a picture of victims of a 2013 sarin gas attack in Ghouta, Syria. The incident should, but is unlikely to, prompt Omar and fellow Democrats to reconsider their push for censorship and other anti-free speech measures. Such false imagery was quickly and effectively addressed in this incident without the need for bans and speech regulation. Continue reading “Rep. Ilhan Omar Retweets False Photo of Palestinian Children Killed by Israeli Forces” →

Columns, Congress

The Politics of Chaos: Disorder in the House Did Not Cause a Terror Attack in Israel

Below is my column in The Messenger on how the Speaker’s Chair has become the latest manifestation of our politics of chaos. This includes the truly bizarre suggestion of the Washington Post’s Jennifer Rubin that the GOP “invited” the terror attack in Israel by allowing eight members and the entire Democratic block to vacate the chair. While Rep. Steve Scalise (R., La.) received the most votes in the GOP caucus yesterday, the party remains divided between him and Jim Jordan (R., Oh.).

Continue reading “The Politics of Chaos: Disorder in the House Did Not Cause a Terror Attack in Israel” →

Congress, Politics

The House Crack Suicide Squad: The Ouster of McCarthy Captures the Politics of Our Times

In Monty Python’s film, “The Life of Brian,” the lead character hangs hopelessly on the cross when a small army arrives to rescue him. His relief is short-lived as Otto, the leader, promptly announces that they are the crack suicide squad trained to kill themselves “within 20 seconds.” The scene came to mind yesterday as eight Republicans joined Democrats to oust Speaker Kevin McCarthy. It was a moment that perfectly captured our politics of chaos and disruption, including the refusal of a single Democrat to prevent the House from going through a week of unnecessary turmoil. There was a time when opposing members would oppose such moves in the interest of House as an institution. This is not one of those times. Continue reading “The House Crack Suicide Squad: The Ouster of McCarthy Captures the Politics of Our Times” →

Congress, Criminal law

“He Will Help You With What You Need”: New Messages to Hunter Deepen Concerns Over Chinese Influence

After the initiation of the Biden impeachment inquiry, new messages are deepening concerns over the influence of Chinese figures on the Biden family. Messages from longtime Biden associate Fran Person show the Chinese stepping in to support Hunter’s lavish lifestyle as funds dried up during his divorce. Person wrote Hunter that Chinese businessman Bo Zhang “will help you with what you need.” Continue reading ““He Will Help You With What You Need”: New Messages to Hunter Deepen Concerns Over Chinese Influence” →