Category: Criminal law

Criminal law, Free Speech

Two Chicago Educators Face Questions Over “No Kings” Protest Calls

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” →

Academia, Criminal law, Free Speech, Politics

“Jesus Did It”: Illinois State University Teacher’s Assistant Arrested After Trashing TPUSA Table

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” →

Criminal law

Two Alleged Antifa Members Charged with Terrorism-Related Crimes

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” →

Congress, Criminal law

Purge Politics: Jeffries Pledges Legal Retaliation When Democrats Take Power

On MSNBC’s “All In,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) doubled down on his pledge of legal retaliation against Trump officials and associates if Democrats retake power.  He noted that Trump “sycophants” in the Department of Justice do not have immunity and will be pursued. The statement comes after the indictment of Letitia James for mortgage fraud. The statement suggests that the country could be in store for waves of purge politics in which parties fire or prosecute officials from the prior administration. Continue reading “Purge Politics: Jeffries Pledges Legal Retaliation When Democrats Take Power” →

Constitutional Law, Courts, Criminal law, Politics

Hail Mary Play: Comey Reportedly Will Raise Three Challenges to Block his Prosecution

James Comey made history this week by standing in the dock and entering a not guilty plea as the first FBI Director ever indicted in the history of the country. Comey hopes to be spared the added ignoble distinction of a trial scheduled for 2026.  He and his counsel, Patrick Fitzgerald, are reportedly going to seek a dismissal under three primary challenges: vindictive prosecution, selective prosecution, and challenging the status of the acting U.S. Attorney, Lindsey Halligan. I wanted to briefly address these claims, including the one that has the most credibility. Continue reading “Hail Mary Play: Comey Reportedly Will Raise Three Challenges to Block his Prosecution” →

Constitutional Law, Criminal law

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson Calls for the Arrest of ICE Officers

As a native Chicagoan, I must confess that I have little patience for Mayor Brandon Johnson, a politician who has been a disaster for the city. One of the most unpopular mayors in the city’s history, Johnson has been using the increased ICE operations to try to ride a wave of rage back into popularity. His language has become more and more inflammatory in calling for citizens to “resist” and “fight” federal law enforcement. Now, he is claiming the authority to not only mandate “ICE-free zones” in the city but to arrest federal officers. Continue reading “Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson Calls for the Arrest of ICE Officers” →

Criminal law, Lawyering, Politics

The Curious Tale of Columbia Professor Daniel Richman

Just The News is reporting that “Person 3” in the Comey indictment is not former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe but rather Columbia Professor Daniel Richman. According to the outlet, Richman is the former FBI employee in the indictment who allegedly leaked information about “Person 1,” who is believed to be Hillary Clinton. The report continues the long uncertainty over Richman’s role in these controversies. Richman has described himself as a friend, an FBI special employee, and the lawyer representing Comey at different times. He has also been a columnist and commentator, including for the site Lawfare run by Comey’s friend Ben Wittes. What Richman was doing at any given time remains strikingly uncertain. Professor Richman is not himself charged with any crime.

Continue reading “The Curious Tale of Columbia Professor Daniel Richman” →

Criminal law, Free Speech, International

Scottish Police Arrest Serial Speaker: Elderly Woman Charged After Holding Sign Offering to Discuss Abortion

Rose Docherty is what they call a criminal recidivist in the United Kingdom. The 75-year-old woman has been arrested for a second time for the same fiendish act: offering to speak to women considering an abortion. She was arrested  outside the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow for carrying a placard which stated “Coercion is a crime, here to talk, only if you want.” Fortunately, she and her sign were quickly seized by the local police to protect the public.

Continue reading “Scottish Police Arrest Serial Speaker: Elderly Woman Charged After Holding Sign Offering to Discuss Abortion” →

Academia, Criminal law, Politics

Des Moines School Superintendent Arrested by ICE as Protesters and Politicians Call for his Release

Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent Ian Roberts was arrested this week after fleeing ICE officers and abandoning a school-subsidized car with an illegal handgun inside. Roberts has a criminal record and a long-standing order of removal from the country. The case has become a flashpoint over immigration policies with protesters demanding his release and Democratic politicians denouncing his arrest as evidence of a fascist regime. The controversy is also spilling over into the Senate race, as the district board is headed by Board Chair Jackie Norris, a former Chief of Staff to Michelle Obama and a current Democratic candidate for the United States Senate. Norris called for Iowans to rally around Roberts with “radical empathy.” Continue reading “Des Moines School Superintendent Arrested by ICE as Protesters and Politicians Call for his Release” →

Criminal law, Politics

Bragg Drops Charges Against Woman Who Attacked Pro-Life Advocate

For years, many of us have raised concerns over the political weaponization of the New York legal system from the civil fraud case against the Trump company by New York Attorney General Letitia James to the criminal prosecution by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. The popularity of these lawfare warriors shows how a dual legal system has taken hold in the city. That was never more evident than in the decision of Bragg to drop the case against Brianna J. Rivers, 30, who assaulted a pro-life advocate in a case of political violence. While blamed on negligence within his office, the dropping of the prosecution of Rivers is only the latest example of enabling those who turn to violence in our political system. Continue reading “Bragg Drops Charges Against Woman Who Attacked Pro-Life Advocate” →

Columns, Criminal law

Martyr or Liar? Comey Indicted on Two Counts

Below is my column in the New York Post on the indictment of James Comey. As I mentioned yesterday, the indictment seemed a bit disjointed in referring to “false statements” in the caption and the body, but only describing a single false statement. It appears that the grand jury did not return a “true bill” on one of the originally alleged false statements. That might have been the count related to Professor Daniel Richman, who appeared before the Grand Jury, but that is speculation at this point. However, as I noted, there appears to have been material removed from the original draft of the indictment.

Here is the column: Continue reading “Martyr or Liar? Comey Indicted on Two Counts” →

Criminal law, Politics

Comey Associate and Columbia Professor Daniel Richman Subpoenaed

In the midst of the flurry of activity on Capitol Hill and in the courts, a single subpoena from federal prosecutors last week went largely unnoticed by many in Washington. However, it could represent a significant development in the long-standing and unresolved questions surrounding the exit of James Comey as Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The subpoena was served on Columbia law professor Daniel Richman, a close friend of Comey’s who has been accused of serving as his conduit for leaks to the media. Continue reading “Comey Associate and Columbia Professor Daniel Richman Subpoenaed” →

Academia, Columns, Criminal law, Free Speech

Charlie Kirk and the Age of Rage

Below is my column in the Hill on the murder of Charlie Kirk, the latest victim of our age of rage. The evidence of Antifa scribblings and indoctrination of the shooter came as no surprise. For months, some of us have been warning Democratic leaders about their dangerous rhetoric and how it would be received by the most radical elements in the Antifa movement.

Here is the column:

Continue reading “Charlie Kirk and the Age of Rage” →

Criminal law

When Words No Longer Matter: Nancy Pelosi and Politics of Violence

It appears that words no longer matter to Nancy Pelosi. For years, Pelosi and other Democrats have blamed President Donald Trump and Republicans for their “inciteful rhetoric.” In seeking Trump’s impeachment, Pelosi bellowed that the use of “words such as a cry ‘to fight like hell'” produces violence and added, “words matter. Truth matters. Accountability matters.” No longer. After all, she explained, “we can’t take responsibility for the minds that are out there and how they hear it.” Continue reading “When Words No Longer Matter: Nancy Pelosi and Politics of Violence” →

Columns, Criminal law, Free Speech

“Prove me Wrong”: Charlie Kirk’s Final Challenge on Free Speech

Yesterday, the United States entered a new and chilling stage of what I have called the “age of rage.” After two attempted assassinations of President Donald Trump, leading conservative leader Charlie Kirk, father of two, was gunned down at a campus event at Utah Valley University. I learned the news while I was in Prague to speak on my book,“The Indispensable Right: Free Speech in an Age of Rage” and the growing attacks on free speech around the world. I never imagined that I would be speaking about Charlie’s murder and what it represents for free speech.

Continue reading ““Prove me Wrong”: Charlie Kirk’s Final Challenge on Free Speech” →

Res ipsa loquitur – The thing itself speaks