Category: Politics

Columns, Criminal law, Politics

Alvin Bragg has his Trump trial, All he Needs Now is a Crime

Below is an expanded version of my column in the New York Post on the start of the Trump trial and much awaited explanation of District Attorney Alvin Bragg on the underlying alleged criminal conduct. The curious aspect of the case is that the prosecutors are stressing that they will prove largely uncontested facts. Indeed, if all of these facts of payments, non-disclosure agreements, and affairs are proven many of us (including liberal legal experts) are doubtful that there is any cognizable crime.

Here is the column: Continue reading “Alvin Bragg has his Trump trial, All he Needs Now is a Crime” →

Media, Politics

NPR Suspends Editor Who Objected to Bias and Lack of Diversity at Company

NPR has been faced with a torrent of criticism over its bias and intolerance for opposing views in programming, including a stinging criticism from award-winning editor Uri Berliner. In response, NPR appears eager to fulfill that narrative and has suspended Berliner for speaking with the media.  It appears that Berliner’s objections to NPR’s “absence of viewpoint diversity” is a bit too much for NPR to bear. Continue reading “NPR Suspends Editor Who Objected to Bias and Lack of Diversity at Company” →

Columns, Politics

Should NPR Rely on Listeners Rather Than Taxpayers Like You?

Below is my column in The Hill on the growing controversy over NPR and the government subsidy of its programming. There is not much serious debate over the political bias of the company, but NPR has a right to slant its coverage. The question is why this company should be given a federal subsidy over its competitors.

Here is the column:

Continue reading “Should NPR Rely on Listeners Rather Than Taxpayers Like You?” →

Columns, Criminal law, Politics

The Trump Trial in Manhattan is an Indictment of the New York Legal System

Below is my column in the New York Post on the start of the Trump trial today in New York. I have long been critical of the case as a clear example of the weaponization of the criminal justice system. No one seriously believes that Alvin Bragg would have spent this time and money to prosecute what is ordinarily a state misdemeanor if the defendant was anyone other than Trump. One does not have to like Trump to repel from the spectacle about to unfold in Manhattan.

Here is the column: Continue reading “The Trump Trial in Manhattan is an Indictment of the New York Legal System” →

Criminal law, Media, Politics

“Support Your Local Antifa”: Alabama Man Arrested in Alleged Political Bombing

Kyle Benjamin Douglas Calvert, 26, has become the latest Antifa member arrested for alleged political violence. Calvert is accused in the explosion of an IED device outside of Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall’s office in downtown Montgomery at around 3:42 a.m. on February 24. For years, Democratic politicians and the media have downplayed the violence of Antifa, even questioning its very existence. These photos may help them come to grips with the reality of Antifa. Continue reading ““Support Your Local Antifa”: Alabama Man Arrested in Alleged Political Bombing” →

Academia, Politics

Academia’s Radical Chic: Anti-Israeli Mandatory Class Puts Spotlight on UCLA’s Activist-in-Resident Program

There has been much discussion about the controversial mandatory lecture for first-year medical students at the University of California Los Angeles from a pro-Palestinian speaker accused of anti-Semitic postings and racist rhetoric. However, there is less attention to the fact that Lisa “Tiny” Gray-Garcia was appearing because she is one of UCLA’s paid Activists-in-Residence. Continue reading “Academia’s Radical Chic: Anti-Israeli Mandatory Class Puts Spotlight on UCLA’s Activist-in-Resident Program” →

Media, Politics

NPR Editor Blasts the Public-Funded Company for Political Bias and Activism

In a scathing account from within National Public Radio (NPR), Senior Editor Uri Berliner blasted the company for open political bias and activism. Berliner, who says that he is liberal politically, wrote about how NPR went from a left-leaning media outlet to a virtual Democratic operation echoing narratives from figures like Rep. Adam Schiff (D., Cal.). The objections have long been voiced, including on this blog, but this account is coming from a long-standing and respected editor from within the company. Continue reading “NPR Editor Blasts the Public-Funded Company for Political Bias and Activism” →

Lawyering, Politics

David Hogg Group Hit With Allegations Over Spending Practices and Policies
(Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz)

Gun control activist David Hogg has been hit with allegations over the spending practices of his group Leaders We Deserve PAC. Conservative outlets are reporting that the group spent comparably little on actual candidates as opposed to travel and expenses. His prior counsel is a familiar name in such controversies in Washington: former Clinton campaign general counsel Marc Elias.

Columns, Free Speech, Politics

Democrats Cry Foul as Anti-Free Speech Allies Turn Against Them

Below is my column in The Hill on the recent disruptions of events featuring leading Democrats from President Joe Biden to Rep. Jamie Raskin. After years of supporting the censoring and blacklisting of others, these politicians are now being targeted by the very anti-free speech movement that they once fostered. Hillary Clinton last week became the latest Democrat targeted by protesters in a visit to her alma mater, Wellesley College.

Here is the column: Continue reading “Democrats Cry Foul as Anti-Free Speech Allies Turn Against Them” →

Constitutional Law, Politics

White House Flack Raises Legal Concerns Over Spinning the Biden Corruption Scandal

In a city of flacks, Ian Sams is prototypical. Quotable, punchy, and fast on social media, he stays ahead of the news cycle. Those traits are greatly valued by clients in this city where losing control of a narrative can allow a controversy to metastasize into a full fledge scandal. What is different is the client. Sams, a well–known Democratic operative, is not working for a Democratic campaign, but a Democratic president and speaks for the White House Counsel. Continue reading “White House Flack Raises Legal Concerns Over Spinning the Biden Corruption Scandal” →

Media, Politics

Let it Go: Disney’s Litigation Against Florida Collapses as the Media Shrugs

It is a familiar pattern. Media outlets pick sides in a legal dispute and then distort the merits of the claims in favor of that party. In the fight between Disney and Florida, the media not only misrepresented a popular Florida parental rights bill (including falsely calling it the “Don’t Say Gay” law) but heralded Disney’s decision to enter the political fray to oppose the law. It then portrayed Disney’s legal moves to block state efforts to regain regulatory control over the company as brilliant and overwhelming. Some of us disagreed on all of those points, including the prospects of Disney’s ill-considered litigation strategy. Last week, that strategy collapsed with a settlement in which Disney decided to just “Let it go” and these same media outlets simply shrugged and moved on. Continue reading “Let it Go: Disney’s Litigation Against Florida Collapses as the Media Shrugs” →

Politics, Religion, Society

Hopping Mad: Easter Becomes the Latest Flash Point in American Politics

It often seems like there is nothing left today that is not a battleground over our political and social differences. We can now add Easter. The Biden White House triggered a firestorm by picking Good Friday to announce that Easter Sunday will now be the “Transgender Day of Visibility.” At the same time, families objected to regulations on Easter egg designs, barring children from including any religious imagery or references on this religious holiday.  There are even objections to the use of eggs at the annual White House egg roll.

Continue reading “Hopping Mad: Easter Becomes the Latest Flash Point in American Politics” →

Congress, Criminal law, Media, Politics

Say It Ain’t So, Joe: The House Formally Invites President Biden to Testify in Impeachment Inquiry

House Oversight Committee chairman James Comer has sent a seven-page letter (below) to invite President Joe Biden to testify in the Republican impeachment inquiry. The letter is the latest, and best, reduction of the glaring contradictions in the President’s past statements on his family’s well-documented influence peddling operation. President Biden is not expected to testify. However, the media should be interested in his answering the questions presented by the Committee. It is now clear that the President lied during his campaign and during his presidency on his lack of knowledge of his son’s business activities as well as his denial of any money gained from China. Yet, the White House responded, again, with mockery — a sense of impunity that only exists due to an enabling media. Continue reading “Say It Ain’t So, Joe: The House Formally Invites President Biden to Testify in Impeachment Inquiry” →

Columns, Politics

Saving Democracy From Itself: The Democratic National Committee Moves To Block Third Party Candidates