Category: Free Speech

Columns, Constitutional Law, Criminal law, Free Speech, Politics

It is Time to End Our Sedition Addiction

Below is my column in USA Today on the revival of sedition as a speech crime in the United States. Despite my criticism of the Democratic members of Congress over their recent message to American military personnel, this is not a prosecutorial offense and would collapse quickly in court. More importantly, it is the return of a crime long ago criticized by James Madison as a “monster” that should not be prosecuted in the United States.

Here is the column: Continue reading “It is Time to End Our Sedition Addiction” →

Free Speech, International

British Arrest Man for Posting a Picture Holding a Shotgun in the United States

In my book, The Indispensable Right, I discuss how free speech is in a free fall in Great Britain, where officials continue to crack down on an ever-widening array of viewpoints. This week, that ignoble record worsened with the arrest of Jon Richelieu-Booth, who told the Yorkshire Post that he was arrested for posting a picture on the networking site LinkedIn of himself holding a shotgun at a friend’s homestead in Florida. Continue reading “British Arrest Man for Posting a Picture Holding a Shotgun in the United States” →

Academia, Free Speech

“Fight Fiercely Harvard”: Harvard Club of New York Cancels Dershowitz Book Event

The Harvard Club of New York is being accused of censorship after abruptly cancelling a book event featuring famed Harvard professor Alan Dershowitz. In a statement, Dershowitz says that invitations were sent out and the event was approaching when he was suddenly told that the Harvard Club would have none of it. He blamed his representation of President Donald Trump for the cancellation. Continue reading ““Fight Fiercely Harvard”: Harvard Club of New York Cancels Dershowitz Book Event” →

Criminal law, Free Speech, International

Venezuela Sentences Doctor to 30 Years for WhatsApp Message

The Venezuelan socialist regime has just sentenced a 65-year-old doctor, Marggie Orozco, to 30 years in prison for criticizing the regime of socialist dictator Nicolás Maduro in a WhatsApp voice note in 2024. Orozco was reportedly found guilty of “treason to the fatherland, incitement to hatred, and conspiracy” in complaining about the regime’s distribution of the often hard-to-find domestic gas cylinders in her community. She has already suffered two heart attacks in the last two years, including one while in prison.

Continue reading “Venezuela Sentences Doctor to 30 Years for WhatsApp Message” →

Academia, Free Speech

GW Students Call for RFK, Jr. to be Barred from Campus

Last night, my torts class was briefly interrupted by the sounds of protests on campus over the appearance of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the health secretary, on campus. The large protest itself was not a problem. As the vice president of the Disabled Students Collective (DSC) stated publicly, the students were “using our own free speech to protest Kennedy’s presence on campus.” The problem was the petition circulated by the DSC, signed by hundreds at GWU, calling for Kennedy to be prevented from exercising his own free speech. Indeed, it calls for Kennedy to be barred from campus for spreading “misinformation.” It seems that, once again, the tolerance for free speech only goes so far. Continue reading “GW Students Call for RFK, Jr. to be Barred from Campus” →

Academia, Free Speech

The Justice Department Launches Investigation into Security Failures at the Berkeley TPUSA Event
The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced this week that it is investigating the University of California, Berkeley, over the security arrangements for the Turning Point USA (TPUSA) event. Antifa and others threatened many entering or leaving the event, including reportedly blocking hundreds from the sold-out event to celebrate free speech and the legacy of murdered Charlie Kirk.

Continue reading “The Justice Department Launches Investigation into Security Failures at the Berkeley TPUSA Event” →

Academia, Criminal law, Free Speech

“You Do Not Deserve a Conversation”: OSU Student Trashes Conservative Student Table

We have another incident of a student trashing a conservative table while expressing absolute impunity to do so. The Young America’s Foundation (YAF) at Oklahoma State University had a table supporting traditional marriage when a student tossed their material and claimed the absolute right to vandalize opposing views on campus. Continue reading ““You Do Not Deserve a Conversation”: OSU Student Trashes Conservative Student Table” →

Free Speech, International

German Activist Seeks Asylum in the United States After Antifa Death Threats

For years, some of us have been writing about the collapse of free speech protections in Europe as the left criminalizes a wide range of expressions and viewpoints. Now, a leading young German advocate, Naomi Seibt, known as the “Anti-Greta,” is seeking political asylum in the United States after years of Antifa threats. At one time, the idea of someone seeking asylum from a Western democracy would have been considered material for the Onion. Today, it is credible given the rising intolerance for opposing views in countries like Germany. Continue reading “German Activist Seeks Asylum in the United States After Antifa Death Threats” →

Criminal law, Free Speech

University of Colorado TPUSA Student Leader Attacked After Antifa Posted “Hit List”
As Democratic leaders like Rep. Dan Goldman (D, N.Y.) insist that Antifa does not exist as a group, two Antifa groups — Front Range Antifa and Colorado Springs Antifa — put out a hit list poster on a University of Colorado sophomore and leader in Turning Point USA. He was promptly attacked by a person in the signature Antifa black outfit on roller blades who used a hockey stick to mete out the punishment.

Continue reading “University of Colorado TPUSA Student Leader Attacked After Antifa Posted “Hit List”” →

Criminal law, Free Speech

Tennessee Man Arrested After Mocking Charlie Kirk Memorial

There is a concerning free speech case out of Tennessee where a retired police officer was arrested after posting anti-Charlie Kirk messages on the Internet. Larry Bushart, 61, of Lexington, Tennessee, was arrested for threatening a mass shooting at a school, but the cited messages do not support such a claim. Indeed, his comments appear to be protected political speech under governing Supreme Court precedent. Continue reading “Tennessee Man Arrested After Mocking Charlie Kirk Memorial” →

Academia, Bizarre, Free Speech, International

Switzerland Goes to War Against Free Speech: Man Jailed for Claiming that Skeletons Reflect Gender
Switzerland was famous (or infamous) for staying neutral in World War II. It simply would not take a side between the Nazis and the rest of the world. However, when it comes to free speech, Switzerland has declared war on anyone who challenges certain orthodox positions, including gender policies. Just ask Emanuel Brünisholz. Continue reading “Switzerland Goes to War Against Free Speech: Man Jailed for Claiming that Skeletons Reflect Gender” →
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” →

Free Speech, Politics

Jimmy Kimmel and Making Book Burning Fun Again

Jimmy Kimmel is back on television by less than popular demand. Kimmel’s ratings are hardly robust (Kimmel pulls in 1.85 million in comparison to Gutfeld! at 3.2 million). Still, his suspension for spreading disinformation about the killer of Charlie Kirk became a cause celebre on the left. Kimmel continues to air nightly screeds against Trump and conservatives. Of course, he is hardly unique in appealing to an echo-chambered audience. However, this week Kimmel showed children being read Eric Trump’s book by a drag queen. What was most disturbing was not the use of the children to echo talking points on how great drag queens are, but showing them throwing Trump’s book into a wood chipper. It appears that nothing is funnier for the modern left than a good book burning or chipping. Continue reading “Jimmy Kimmel and Making Book Burning Fun Again” →

Columns, Free Speech

Why We Must Protect Both Turning Point and Mark Bray

Below is my column in The Hill on the recent controversy at Rutgers University, where different groups are pushing to ban Turning Point USA and Professor Mark Bray, the author of the “Antifa Handbook.” The campus has become a microcosm of a broader debate in higher education, which continues to struggle with drawing lines on free speech and academic freedom. Notably, the faculty and the student body recently overwhelmingly voted to support Bray, but few have spoken out in support of the TPUSA group.

Here is the column:

Continue reading “Why We Must Protect Both Turning Point and Mark Bray” →

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” →