Category: Free Speech

Free Speech, International, Politics, Society

Algerian Boxer Admits to Having XY Chromosomes and Commits to Hormonal Treatments

With the start of the Winter Games, a story this week resurrected a controversy from the last Summer Olympics. Previously, Olympic officials and pundits denounced those who objected to Algerian boxer Imane Khelif competing as a woman, saying that she was born a female. Female boxers withdrew from the competition rather than fight Khelif. Now, the boxer has admitted to having XY chromosomes and is taking hormone treatments to lower testosterone levels for the next Olympics. Continue reading “Algerian Boxer Admits to Having XY Chromosomes and Commits to Hormonal Treatments” →

Academia, Constitutional Law, Free Speech, International, Media, Politics

Rage and the Republic Becomes an Amazon Bestseller on First Day

Today, my book, Rage and the Republic: The Unfinished Story of the American Revolution, has finally hit the shelves. I am delighted to report that the book opened the week on Monday at 4th on Amazon’s bestsellers before the release. It was also ranked 1st on the History, Constitutions, Democracy and other subject categories. I am deeply grateful to everyone who has ordered the book, which was released to coincide with our 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Continue reading “Rage and the Republic Becomes an Amazon Bestseller on First Day” →

Academia, Free Speech

Devouring its Own: Liberal Columnist Ezra Klein Faces Protest at Sarah Lawrence
On Tuesday, my new book for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Rage and the Republic, will be released. It is a book about revolutions, including our own. The book begins with a quote from the French writer Jacques Mallet du Pan, written in 1793: “Like Saturn, the Revolution devours its children.” History has proven him right over and over again. Today’s revolutionaries often become tomorrow’s reactionaries as the mob turns on its former leaders. Continue reading “Devouring its Own: Liberal Columnist Ezra Klein Faces Protest at Sarah Lawrence” →
Academia, Free Speech

Cancel Culture 101: Connecticut School Cancels Event With Education Secretary Over Political Pressure

We have long discussed how educators are instilling viewpoint intolerance in students from the earliest grades. The latest example is the cancellation of a visit to McKinley Elementary School in Fairfield, Connecticut, by Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. The students had the opportunity to speak and interact with a cabinet member, but the school cancelled the event due to political opposition from parents. Continue reading “Cancel Culture 101: Connecticut School Cancels Event With Education Secretary Over Political Pressure” →

Criminal law, Free Speech, Politics

“I am Going to Kill Donald Trump”: Ohio Attorney General Candidate Runs on Rage

In my book on our age of rage I explore how rage is addictive and contagious. What people do not want to admit in places like Minneapolis is that they like it, they need it. Politicians know that. Even after Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones was shown to have threatened to kill his political opponents and their children, other Democratic leaders continued to support him and he was elected to the highest law enforcement position in the state. Now, Ohio Democratic Attorney General candidate Elliot Forhan appears to be attempting to ride the same rage wave in a video in which he says, “…I am going to kill Donald Trump.” Continue reading ““I am Going to Kill Donald Trump”: Ohio Attorney General Candidate Runs on Rage” →

Academia, Free Speech

“Go ICE”: Chicago-Area Teacher Put on Leave for Two Words Posted on Facebook

Some of us in the free speech community have been writing about the hypocrisy of many in the media and academia suddenly championing free speech values after years of silence (or support) over censorship of conservatives, libertarians, and contrarians. A good example can be found in the Chicago area, where a physical education teacher is on administrative leave and faces possible termination after posting two words (“Go ICE”) on Facebook in support of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Local leaders and groups are demanding that he be fired, even though a posting opposing ICE would likely have been heralded rather than condemned. Continue reading ““Go ICE”: Chicago-Area Teacher Put on Leave for Two Words Posted on Facebook” →

Criminal law, Free Speech, Media, Politics

“This is First Amendment Activity”: Keith Ellison Denounces the Investigation of Church Protesters

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison yesterday declared that there are no federal grounds for prosecuting the mob that disrupted St. Paul’s Cities Church and declared the conduct to be “First Amendment activity.” Ellison not only supported the protesters as exercising their First Amendment rights in an interview with CNN, but also indicated an unwillingness to enforce state laws violated by the protesters, from trespass to disorderly conduct. Continue reading ““This is First Amendment Activity”: Keith Ellison Denounces the Investigation of Church Protesters” →

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

The Reviews Are In: “Rage and the Republic is Jonathan Turley’s Birthday Gift to America to Mark its 250 Years of Independence”

The early reviews of Rage and the Republic are in!  In a few days, books (including an audiobook) will be shipped out and on the shelves of bookstores by February 3. Simon & Schuster is releasing the book to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

Continue reading “The Reviews Are In: “Rage and the Republic is Jonathan Turley’s Birthday Gift to America to Mark its 250 Years of Independence”” →

Academia, Criminal law, Free Speech

Stanford Students Defiant As They Stand Trial for Anti-Israel Property Damage

The five Stanford students accused of vandalism in the 2024 anti-Israel protests are finally being tried for the property damage. No comment more summed up the mentality on many of our campuses than that of German Gonzalez, who declared, “It is ridiculous for me or for any of us co-defendants to be accused of property damage.” There remains a sense of license to commit crimes. Continue reading “Stanford Students Defiant As They Stand Trial for Anti-Israel Property Damage” →

Congress, Free Speech

Former Special Counsel Jack Smith Confirms his Utter Contempt for the First Amendment Before Congress

For years, some of us have argued that President Donald Trump’s January 6th speech was protected under the First Amendment and that any prosecution would collapse under governing precedent, including Brandenburg v. Ohio.  I was regularly attacked as an apologist for my criticism of Special Counsel Jack Smith’s “war on free speech.” I wrote about his history of ignoring such constitutional protections in his efforts to prosecute targets at any cost. I also wrote how Smith’s second indictment (which the Post supported) was a direct assault on the First Amendment. Now, years later, the Washington Post has acknowledged that Trump’s speech was protected and that Smith “would have blown a hole in the First Amendment.” Continue reading “Former Special Counsel Jack Smith Confirms his Utter Contempt for the First Amendment Before Congress” →

Columns, Free Speech, International

“We are the Free World Now” — Europe Declares War on Free Speech

Below is my column in The Hill on the move by the Trump Administration against five leading figures in the European censorship movement, including Thierry Breton, the former European Union commissioner responsible for digital policy. The United States is finally responding to what is an existential threat to American values. It is worth noting, as I discuss in my new book, Rage and the Republic, that the EU is not only exporting its censorship rules but threatening American companies that do not meet its environment, social and governance (ESG) policies. It is time for Congress to follow suit and get into this fight.

Here is the column:

Continue reading ““We are the Free World Now” — Europe Declares War on Free Speech” →

Free Speech, International

French President Macron Praises Brigitte Bardot’s “Life of Freedom” After Unrelenting Censorship

This week, the world lost one of the most iconic actresses in history: Brigitte Bardot. It was a terribly sad moment for many moviegoers. However, for the free speech community, the death also brought one of the most bitter and hypocritical moments as French President Emmanuel Macron heralded Bardot as someone who “embodied a life of freedom.” As discussed repeatedly on this blog, Bardot was repeatedly prosecuted by the French government for exercising her free speech. Continue reading “French President Macron Praises Brigitte Bardot’s “Life of Freedom” After Unrelenting Censorship” →

Columns, Constitutional Law, Courts, Free Speech, Politics

Democratic Despotism: The American Left Moves from Censored to Compelled Speech

Below is my column in The Hill on how Democrats in some blue states are moving from censoring speech to compelling speech in renewed attacks on free speech. They are facing resistance in the courts despite determined efforts to force others to mouth approved viewpoints.

Here is the column:

Continue reading “Democratic Despotism: The American Left Moves from Censored to Compelled Speech” →

Constitutional Law, Free Speech, Media

Jennifer Welch Declares that Kirk “Justified” His Own Assassination

In an age of rage, the loudest lunatic reigns supreme. The sudden rise of Jennifer Welch vividly proves that regrettable fact. Welch is the face of rage, spewing hate-filled attacks to feed a rage addiction on the left. She is also an example of how many on the left call for censorship to combat disinformation, but constitute some of the greatest sources of such false and misleading stories. This week offers another such example. After attacking Charlie Kirk’s widow as a “grifter,” Welch declared that Kirk “justified” his own killing. The basis for that disgraceful claim is a false viral claim that Kirk shrugged off the killing of school kids from gun violence. Despite being repeatedly debunked, liberals like Welch continue to spread the claim. Continue reading “Jennifer Welch Declares that Kirk “Justified” His Own Assassination” →

Constitutional Law, Free Speech, International

Britain Moves to Curtail Jury Trials and Free Speech

Below is my column in The Wall Street Journal on the move to sharply curtail the use of jury trials in Great Britain. The ill-conceived move is the work of Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor David Lammy, who previously denounced the idea as an abandonment of British values and the loss of a critical protection for citizens. It is a tragic variation on Winston Churchill’s legendary observation about the fleeting virtue of the insufferably sanctimonious. Like the socialite who was indignant when Churchill puckishly offered a small amount of money to sleep with him, it turns out that Lammy was “just haggling over price.” When faced with significant savings, Lammy is willing to toss aside the right that once defined them as a people.

Continue reading “Britain Moves to Curtail Jury Trials and Free Speech” →