Category: Politics

Politics

Chi-Town Meltdown: Chicago Ramps Up Taxes and Debt in Familiar Death Spiral

As a Chicago native, I have watched my home city unravel under the policies of Mayor Brandon Johnson and the ultra-left city council. Controlled by groups like the teachers’ union, the city has continued to spend lavishly on progressive causes and bloated pension funds while destroying its own economy. The city has a more than $1 billion budget gap, with a roughly $150 million deficit. Roughly, two-fifths of the budget is now going toward debt service and pension costs. The city council is following a familiar death spiral. It is turning to higher taxes against the very industries that it needs to drive the economy. That now includes a roughly 20 percent tourist tax on hotels. These politicians are doing what the Chicago fire failed to achieve: kill a major city.

Continue reading “Chi-Town Meltdown: Chicago Ramps Up Taxes and Debt in Familiar Death Spiral” →

Politics

“Our Employees and Guests were Uncomfortable.”: Arkansas Gov. Sanders Told to Leave Restaurant

Republican Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders was kicked out of another restaurant this week. Years ago, I wrote about how Sanders, then the Trump White House spokesperson, was told to leave the Red Hen restaurant in Lexington, Virginia. Now, the Croissanterie Restaurant in Little Rock, Arkansas, has told the governor to leave because employees said they felt uncomfortable having her in the restaurant. One person yelled at her and flipped her off as she left with her friends and security. Continue reading ““Our Employees and Guests were Uncomfortable.”: Arkansas Gov. Sanders Told to Leave Restaurant” →

Courts, Politics

Murphy’s Law: A Boston Judge Returns with a Vengeance in Halting Kennedy Vaccine Efforts

“Anything that can go wrong will go wrong.” That adage, called Murphy’s Law, came to mind this week with the latest injunction issued by U.S. District Court Judge Brian Murphy in Boston. Murphy previously drew national criticism for his efforts to enjoin Trump’s immigration policies, resulting in not one but two rebukes from the Supreme Court. He is now back with an order preventing changes to vaccination policies ordered by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Continue reading “Murphy’s Law: A Boston Judge Returns with a Vengeance in Halting Kennedy Vaccine Efforts” →

Media, Politics, Society, Torts

Erika Kirk and the Perils of Being a “Public Figure”

Erika Kirk, the widow of Charlie Kirk, has been the subject of a shocking level of personal attacks and conspiracy theories. The latest such example involves a site called Project Constitution, which posted an allegation (with a recording of the purported voice of Erika Kirk) that she helped recruit underage girls for Jeffrey Epstein. It is untrue, but other posters soon spread the viral claim.

Continue reading “Erika Kirk and the Perils of Being a “Public Figure”” →

Constitutional Law, Courts, Lawyering, Politics

Boasberg’s Law: Why The Quashing of the Powell Subpoenas Leaves More Questions Than Answers

Last week, Chief Judge James Boasberg delivered a blow to the criminal investigation into Fed Chair Jerome Powell by tossing out grand jury subpoenas. Boasberg declared the investigation overtly political and coercive, without any criminal predicate. The decision is a rare rejection of a duly issued grand jury subpoena at this stage of an investigation. In my view, he was premature and could face a difficult appeal in In re Grand Jury Subpoenas, Bd. of Governors of the Federal Reserve System v. U.S. Continue reading “Boasberg’s Law: Why The Quashing of the Powell Subpoenas Leaves More Questions Than Answers” →

Columns, Politics

The Adversity of Josh Shapiro: Pennsylvania Governor Claims Neighbor’s Property to Build Fence
Picture of troopers from Mosk Complaint

Below is my column on Fox.com on the land dispute of Gov. Josh Shapiro. The only thing murkier than the legal merits is the political implications of the litigation. Welcome to the intersection of adverse possession and American politics.

Here is the column: Continue reading “The Adversity of Josh Shapiro: Pennsylvania Governor Claims Neighbor’s Property to Build Fence” →

Columns, Congress, Politics, Supreme Court

Eat the Rich: Sanders and Khanna Introduce Federal Billionaires Tax

Below is my column on Fox.com on the new push by Democrats to impose a wealth tax nationally. While the proposal currently focuses on billionaires, this legislation would be a test case for the federal courts in asserting this new and unlimited tax authority. If allowed, Congress would then be able to set any wealth level for special taxation. At the same time, Democrats in states from Washington to Virginia are moving to impose a ten percent millionaire’s tax on income.

Here is the column: Continue reading “Eat the Rich: Sanders and Khanna Introduce Federal Billionaires Tax” →

Politics

Washington Moves to Replicate the California Exodus with Millionaires Tax
Across the country, Democrats are moving forward with millionaire taxes to tap wealthy taxpayers to address budget shortfalls. We have previously discussed how such wealth taxes are unconstitutional (in my view) in the federal system. However, state constitutions have been interpreted to allow such taxes. More importantly, there is no constitutional barrier to imposing huge increases in income taxes on wealthy taxpayers. That is what just happened in Washington as Democratic legislators seek to reproduce the exodus of wealth from California. Continue reading “Washington Moves to Replicate the California Exodus with Millionaires Tax” →
Constitutional Law, Politics

Minnesota Democrats Move to Ban Semiautomatic Rifles While Requiring Home Inspections for Current Owners

Across the country, Democrats are moving to ban popular semiautomatic weapons as well as magazines holding more than 10 or 15 rounds of ammunition. That includes, most recently, Virginia, which has careened to the left after the election of Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D). However, the most chilling such legislation may be in Minnesota, where state Sen. Matt Klein has introduced SF 4290. The law not only bans semiautomatic rifles and magazines with more than ten bullets, but also allows citizens to keep prior purchased weapons only if they agree to allow the police to enter their homes to inspect storage and safety conditions.

Continue reading “Minnesota Democrats Move to Ban Semiautomatic Rifles While Requiring Home Inspections for Current Owners” →

Constitutional Law, Courts, Politics

Seventh Circuit Delivers Sharp Rebuke to Chicago District Judge Over Her “Constitutionally Suspect” Orders Against the Trump Administration

There has been an ongoing struggle between district court judges and the Trump Administration over a variety of policies. In the first year, some district court judges issued nationwide injunctions that were largely rejected by the Supreme Court and appellate courts. These conflicts have continued and the intracourt tensions have increased. That was evident with the recent decision of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, which delivered a virtual haymaker in reversing Judge Sara Ellis, an Obama nominee. The panel criticized Ellis for limiting the operation of federal officers in Chicago, saying that she “effectively established the district court as the supervisor of all Executive Branch activity in the city of Chicago.” Continue reading “Seventh Circuit Delivers Sharp Rebuke to Chicago District Judge Over Her “Constitutionally Suspect” Orders Against the Trump Administration” →

Columns, Constitutional Law, Politics

From Redcoats to Robots: AI and Robotic are Challenging our Republic’s Future

Below is my column in The Hill on the recent announcements of additional layoffs due to AI and robotics. The economic and political impact of this technological revolution is a focus of my new book Rage and the Republic. We are already watching this unfold, including the adoption of Universal Basic Income programs around the country. These changes will constitute one of the greatest challenges to our Republic on the 250th anniversary of our independence.

Here is the column: Continue reading “From Redcoats to Robots: AI and Robotic are Challenging our Republic’s Future” →

Congress, Constitutional Law, Politics

Democratic Leaders Struggle to Explain Their Past Support for Unilateral Presidential War Powers

In Rage and the Republic, I quote former Rep. Jaamal Bowman (D., N.Y.) as capturing the essence of an age of rage when a colleague asked him to stop yelling outside of the House floor. Bowman responded, “I was screaming before you interrupted me.”

Bowman’s statement came to mind this week when Democratic members were miffed when they were interrupted in tirades over war powers with questions about their prior support for unilateral attacks by Democratic presidents. Leaders like Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D., Cal.) and Sen. Adam Schiff (D., Cal.) struggled to explain their prior support for President Barack Obama in doing precisely that in Libya with embarrassing results. Continue reading “Democratic Leaders Struggle to Explain Their Past Support for Unilateral Presidential War Powers” →

Politics

From Big Gulp to Big Gasp: Massachusetts Governor Fights for High-Sugar Beverages

Much of politics today seems to be driven by the source of policies. If President Donald Trump or his administration is for it, Democrats are against it. Democrats have pulled 180-degree turns from past support for unilateral military operations by Democratic Presidents to opposing government shutdowns. However, one of the most intriguing has been the opposition to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has launched moves against unhealthy food additives and products. That was evident yesterday when Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey (D) virtually declared war over his effort to press Dunkin’ Donuts and Starbucks over high-sugar drinks. Continue reading “From Big Gulp to Big Gasp: Massachusetts Governor Fights for High-Sugar Beverages” →

Constitutional Law, Politics, Society

In Loco Parentis: Supreme Court Decision Highlights Growing Problems with Parents in Blue States

In the law, the concept of In loco parentis refers to those who act in the place of parents. The problem is when that authority is taken rather than granted. It is a growing problem in blue states as parents push back on Democratic measures stripping them of notice or consent over their children in public schools. Continue reading “In Loco Parentis: Supreme Court Decision Highlights Growing Problems with Parents in Blue States” →

Constitutional Law, Politics

A Rock and a Hard Place: NY AG James Orders Hospital to Resume Gender-Transition Treatment for Minors

In a rare and controversial move, New York Attorney General Letitia James has ordered a Manhattan hospital to resume offering gender-transition treatment to transgender youth. NYU Langone had discontinued such treatments after funding threats from the Trump administration. It is now caught between the proverbial rock (HHS) and a hard place (NYAG). Continue reading “A Rock and a Hard Place: NY AG James Orders Hospital to Resume Gender-Transition Treatment for Minors” →

Res ipsa loquitur – The thing itself speaks