Category: Politics

Sen. Paul Introduces Birthright Citizenship Amendment

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of speaking at the Constitution Day event at James Madison University about “Rage and the Republic.” and various constitutional issues. During the event, organized by the James Madison Center on Civic Engagement, one student asked me what I would change about the U.S. Constitution. I said that I would amend the Constitution to eliminate birthright citizenship, as have other nations who once followed this ill-considered practice. Well, Sen. Rand Paul (R., Kentucky) has wasted no time. He just reintroduced his bill to ban birthright citizenship. Continue reading “Sen. Paul Introduces Birthright Citizenship Amendment”

The Dangerous Evolution of Gavin Newsom

Continue reading “The Dangerous Evolution of Gavin Newsom”

Lock and [Re-]Loaded: Third Circuit Greenlights Major Challenge to New Jersey Gun Liability Law

Some of us have been closely following challenges to A1765, New Jersey’s gun industry liability law. In my view, the law is facially invalid and preempted under federal law, and we may now find out after the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit greenlit a challenge from the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) yesterday. The court found that the NSSF has standing to bring the lawsuit, which could reach the United States Supreme Court. Continue reading “Lock and [Re-]Loaded: Third Circuit Greenlights Major Challenge to New Jersey Gun Liability Law”

“You Better Get Ready for … War”: Socialists Call for “War in the Streets” and the End of Capitalism

The Stealth Socialist: Michigan Democrat Joins Other Radicals in Scrubbing Social Media of Past Statements

A certain pattern is emerging on the far left. Political figures spend years currying the favor of other extremists with outrageous commentary, proudly proclaiming their commitment to eliminating the Senate, opening the border, and other measures. Then, they delete all of the comments and declare themselves mainstream. The idea is to run in the center but govern from the far left, the so-called Spanberger strategy. The latest example is William Lawrence, who is running for Michigan’s 7th Congressional District. However, Lawrence’s prior self reveals just how radical this movement could prove. Continue reading “The Stealth Socialist: Michigan Democrat Joins Other Radicals in Scrubbing Social Media of Past Statements”

Supreme Irony: Congressional Democrats Seek to Reform Institution That is More Popular Than They Are

Congressional Democrats blocked an effort to introduce a constitutional amendment to bar the Court’s expansion, with many members reiterating their demand to pack the Court to create an instant liberal majority. The Democrats insisted the Court is broken and no longer legitimate because of partisan rulings they want reversed by a packed Court. Ironically, the vote came with the release of the latest Harvard-Harris polling showing that Congress itself is still the least respected institution, while the Supreme Court holds higher approval than either the White House or Congress. Continue reading “Supreme Irony: Congressional Democrats Seek to Reform Institution That is More Popular Than They Are”

The Texas Trotsky? Talarico Declares Capitalism an “Oppressive System” that Must Be “Dismantled”

Senate Democrat nominee James Talarico appears ready to bring a touch of Trotsky to Texas. In a video from a climate forum, Talarico is shown declaring capitalism an “oppressive system” linked with white supremacy and that it must be “dismantled” to achieve a better world. It is reminiscent of Leon Trotsky, who denounced the “fundamental evil of the capitalist system” and called on citizens to free themselves from its oppression. The Democratic Socialists of America and radical sites have long called “to dismantle the capitalist state.” Continue reading “The Texas Trotsky? Talarico Declares Capitalism an “Oppressive System” that Must Be “Dismantled””

Eye of the Beholder: Aesthetic Injury and the White House Ballroom

The Administration won a major victory before the Supreme Court this week, securing a 5-4 decision allowing the resumption of construction of the new White House ballroom. Notably, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote a dissent with his three liberal colleagues to oppose the move. The case turns on the standing of challengers to bring the case. However, as a torts professor, what intrigued me was what the case says about aesthetic injuries. Continue reading “Eye of the Beholder: Aesthetic Injury and the White House Ballroom”

“Tish’s Personal Attorneys Targeting Her Political Enemies”: Former Prosecutor Lashes Out at Letitia James

Below is a long version of my column in the New York Post on the growing controversy in the office of New York Attorney General Letitia James. One of her former prosecutors has leveled a broadside against James for using her office to pursue her enemies and making the prosecution of actual crimes a secondary priority.

Here is the column: Continue reading ““Tish’s Personal Attorneys Targeting Her Political Enemies”: Former Prosecutor Lashes Out at Letitia James”

Clyburn Calls for Packing the Court with “Baker’s Dozen” to Flip Cases

On NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC) added his voice to expand the Supreme Court to a “baker’s dozen,” or thirteen members to allow Democrats to add justices who agree with him and Democratic members on how the law must be interpreted.  In the meantime, as discussed earlier, court packing is being pushed as the new litmus test for any Democratic candidates. Clyburn’s “baker’s dozen” is a telling description of an effort to bake in partisan views on a Court expanded to create an instant liberal majority. In defending this hostile takeover of the Court, Clyburn bizarrely insisted that the failure to do so might lead to a return to antebellum conditions when blacks were being given fewer rights than whites. Continue reading “Clyburn Calls for Packing the Court with “Baker’s Dozen” to Flip Cases”

The Long Shadow of Judge Indira Talwani

Below is my column in The Hill on the latest controversy from the chambers of Judge Indira Talwani. While the court could be upheld in halting the executive order on mail-in balloting in this case, Talwani is one of a number of jurists who have been habitual blockers of executive reforms and policies. Talwani has been criticized in the past as something of a one-stop option for forum-shoppers. Her record reaffirms the rationale for justices in using the emergency docket, or so-called “shadow docket,” to deter gaming the system.

Here is the column: Continue reading “The Long Shadow of Judge Indira Talwani”

Pack or Sack: Penn Professor Demands Litmus Test for Politicians to Commit to Packing the Supreme Cout

University of Pennsylvania Professor Michael Mann is the Vice Provost for Climate Science, Policy, and Action and has pushed candidates to commit to major environmental reforms. Notably, he seemed to pivot in an interview with Peter Dominick on a podcast last week, calling for all Democratic candidates to face a litmus test on committing to pack the Supreme Court: promise to pack or get the sack. It is only the latest example of how the hostile takeover of the Court is now the priority for many Democrats in removing a barrier to a radical agenda.

Continue reading “Pack or Sack: Penn Professor Demands Litmus Test for Politicians to Commit to Packing the Supreme Cout”

The Counter-Constitutional Movement: “Institutionalist” Becomes the New “Oligarch” Label for the Far Left

Pennsylvania state representative and Democratic Socialist Chris Rabb is the latest Democrat to reaffirm his alliance with virulent antisemite Hasan Piker. What is most notable, however, is his attack on establishment Democrats as “institutionalists,” a new label reflecting the radical agenda for changing our constitutional system.  It is a term that is now in vogue on the far left by those who want to tear down our institutions and scrap our Constitution.

Continue reading “The Counter-Constitutional Movement: “Institutionalist” Becomes the New “Oligarch” Label for the Far Left”

Abdul El-Sayed and the Piker Problem

There was a curious moment this week when Michigan Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed expressed shock that people were asking him about a “streamer in California” as he campaigns for the Senate in Michigan. That streamer is, of course, Hasan Piker. Despite El-Sayed’s disbelief, the questions stemmed from the fact that he brought Piker from California to campaign with him in Michigan and embraced him despite condemnations of Piker’s virulent antisemitism and violent rhetoric. However, the problem goes far deeper, as El-Sayed distances himself from views he has previously voiced. Continue reading “Abdul El-Sayed and the Piker Problem”

Res ipsa loquitur – The thing itself speaks