Columns, Criminal law, Media, Politics

“The Impossible Must Be Possible”: How the Durham Whodunit Became Who Didn’t Do it

Below is my column in the New York Post, which turned out to be the theme for the cover. Despite impressive efforts at spinning the findings by the media, the Durham Report highlighted two scandals. First, there was a comprehensive effort of the political and media establishments to perpetrate one of the great hoaxes in history — a political hit job that ultimately derailed an American presidency. Second, there was no real accountability for that effort for the main players from Clinton to Comey to Congress. It was much like The Murder on the Orient Express. The question is not “whodunit” but who didn’t do it. Spoiler alert: they all did it so no one was punished.

Here is the column:

Continue reading ““The Impossible Must Be Possible”: How the Durham Whodunit Became Who Didn’t Do it” →

Academia, Free Speech

Turley Speaks at UChicago on Free Speech and Academic Freedom

Today I have the pleasure of speaking on (and moderating) a panel discussing free speech and academic freedom at my alma mater, The University of Chicago. I will also be speaking tomorrow at a separate event on law and politics. The panel on “The Path Toward Safeguarding Academic Freedom” will be held at 3 pm at the Rubenstein Forum: Peter May Boardroom. Continue reading “Turley Speaks at UChicago on Free Speech and Academic Freedom” →

Columns, Congress, Politics

The Immunity Option: How Congress Could Have the Final Say on the Russian Collusion Scandal
(MSNBC/via YouTube)

For those interested in the truth about the Russian collusion investigation, the Durham Report has hundreds of pages of details of the alliance of political, government and media figures behind arguably the greatest hoax in U.S. history. The only thing it does not have is an actual indictment or true accountability for the critical players in an effort to derail an American presidency. Indeed, some witnesses associated with the Clinton campaign appear to have refused to cooperate with the investigation. Congress could change that. Continue reading “The Immunity Option: How Congress Could Have the Final Say on the Russian Collusion Scandal” →

Media, Politics

Wait! Washington Post’s Bump Makes the Last Pitch for Russian Collusion
Screenshot (C-Span)

Shortly before the release of the Durham report, I wrote about the concern that we have a de facto state media in the United States. The column explored the pattern of false claims replicated across media platforms in the last four years. Then the Report was released and the media seemed intent to prove the point. However, even in this determined group, the Washington Post (which won the Pulitzer Prize for reporting on the Russian collusion) set a new level of denial with a column by Philip Bump.

Continue reading “Wait! Washington Post’s Bump Makes the Last Pitch for Russian Collusion” →

Columns, Justice, Politics

Durham Report Condemns the FBI’s Russia Probe — But Don’t Expect It to Make a Difference

Below is my column in The Messenger, the new digital news platform created by Jimmy Finkelstein (the former owner of The Hill).  Finkelstein’s signature has always been balanced publications where all viewpoints are represented and objectivity remains the touchstone for reporters. That puts him at odds with the “advocacy journalism” model sweeping other publications. The start of the new platform is good news for many of us who believe that the media is facing an existential choice in the coming years. I am happy to be able to contribute to the rollout of the site and look forward to working again with Jimmy and my old Hill editors.

Here is the column: Continue reading “Durham Report Condemns the FBI’s Russia Probe — But Don’t Expect It to Make a Difference” →

Academia, Constitutional Law, Free Speech

Got Free Speech? High School Student Sues Over Limits on Advocating for Dairy-Free Milk

Marielle Williamson, 17, is reportedly fighting for the right to speak freely about milk. Williamson wanted to pass out literature on the benefits of dairy-free milk. However, she was told that she could not distribute the literature unless she also passed out pro-milk literature. Williamson is now taking on the Department of Agriculture and the Los Angeles school district in a new lawsuit.

Continue reading “Got Free Speech? High School Student Sues Over Limits on Advocating for Dairy-Free Milk” →

Media, Politics

“Raw, Unanalyzed, and Uncorroborated”: Durham Releases Report on the Russian Collusion Investigation

I have columns out today on the release of the long-awaited report from John Durham on the Russian collusion investigation, including on the new Messenger site. However, I wanted to post the report itself below. As expected, it is a scathing indictment of the Clinton campaign, the FBI, and the media for one of the most successful political hit jobs in history. Continue reading ““Raw, Unanalyzed, and Uncorroborated”: Durham Releases Report on the Russian Collusion Investigation” →

Columns, Media, Politics

America’s State Media: The Blackout on Biden Corruption is Truly “Pulitzer-Level Stuff”

Below is my column in The Hill on the continued media blackout on evidence of influence peddling and corrupt practices by the Biden family. The coverage of the recent disclosure of dozens of LLCs and bank accounts used to funnel up to $10 million to Biden family members captured the growing concerns over a de facto state media in the United States. Under the current approach to journalism, it is the New York Times that receives a Pulitzer for a now debunked Russian collusion story rather than the New York Post for a now proven Hunter Biden laptop story.

Here is the column: Continue reading “America’s State Media: The Blackout on Biden Corruption is Truly “Pulitzer-Level Stuff”” →

Politics

The Golden State? Newsom Admits that California Deficit is Now Roughly $32 Billion

Recently, a witness at one of California’s reparations hearings demanded “where’s the money?” Gov. Gavin Newsom’s announcement that the state miscalculated its deficit by $10 billion seems to answer that question. As his reparations Task Force demands as much as $1.2 million per eligible black resident, Newsom recently balked at cash payments. After years of using reparations as a political issue and insisting that such payments are a moral imperative, many are pushing back that this bill is now due. A card will just not do. Continue reading “The Golden State? Newsom Admits that California Deficit is Now Roughly $32 Billion” →

Academia, Free Speech, International

Taking Stock: Oxford Union to Set Up “Welfare Spaces” for Students to Cope With Gender Debate

The Oxford Union bills itself as “the most prestigious debating society in the world” based on the values of free speech. It is a well-earned reputation for one of the world’s oldest forums for debating the great issues of the day. However, Oxford students are outraged that the Union will allow a debate over transgender ideology. In response, as reported by the The Times UK, the Union has promised to provide a “non-student support team that will remain in a separate welfare space to offer counseling and advice.” This is to deal with the trauma of free speech in simply allowing Dr. Kathleen Stock to speak about her views that biological sex is real and “gender identity” should not alter certain biological truths. Continue reading “Taking Stock: Oxford Union to Set Up “Welfare Spaces” for Students to Cope With Gender Debate” →

Media

“Maybe Its Just Me.” CNN Political Analyst and Brio White House Correspondent Repeats False Whipping Claim
Screenshot

April Ryan, CNN political analyst and White House correspondent for The Brio, has long been known for raw political statements in press conferences. She is an example of the “advocacy journalism” movement that is sweeping the industry with the rejection of “objectivity” as a core value. Nevertheless, she has been repeatedly honored by the media, including her selection as “Journalist of the Year” by the National Association of Black Journalists.  That brand of journalism was on display yesterday when Ryan shocked many by repeating the disproven allegation against border agents accused of whipping migrants.

Continue reading ““Maybe Its Just Me.” CNN Political Analyst and Brio White House Correspondent Repeats False Whipping Claim” →

Constitutional Law

Federal Judge Strikes Down Federal Age Limit on Gun Purchases

U.S. Senior District Judge Robert Payne has delivered another blow to the Administration’s effort to limit gun rights. In a 65-page decision,  Judge Payne ruled that the Second Amendment protects people 18-20 who were barred under the regulations from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Federal licensed dealers were previously told that they could not sell to buyers below the age of 21. The case is Fraser v. BATFE, U.S. Dist. LEXIS 82432(Eastern District, Va. May 10, 2023).

Continue reading “Federal Judge Strikes Down Federal Age Limit on Gun Purchases” →

Constitutional Law, Politics, Testimony

Turley Testifies on Censorship in Homeland Security Hearing

This afternoon, I will testify before the Committee on Homeland Security’s  Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Accountability. The hearing at 2:00 pm is entitled “Censorship Laundering: How the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Enables the Silencing of Dissent.” It will be held in 310 Cannon House Office Building.

Continue reading “Turley Testifies on Censorship in Homeland Security Hearing” →

Academia, Free Speech

Just Nuts: History Professor Suspended for Passing Out Candies Marked “HeHim” and “SheHer”

We often follow controversies at universities over free speech, but this week’s addition can be accurately described as nuts. Madera Community College History Professor David Richardson is under investigation as a possible confectionary reactionary . . . or at least that is what the school appears to be investigating. Richardson recently gave out candy on campus from Jeremy’s Chocolates labeled “HeHim” (nuts) and “She/Her” (nutless).  For Richardson, the candies have led to his suspension pending official investigation. Continue reading “Just Nuts: History Professor Suspended for Passing Out Candies Marked “HeHim” and “SheHer”” →

Politics

Newsom Sends a Card: California Governor Suggests that Reparations is More Than Just Money

For months, we have been discussing how Democratic politicians would deal with massive reparation demands after campaigning for years on such payments being a moral imperative. As proposals rose to as much as $5 million a person, Newsom went silent. Now, California’s Reparations Task Force has issued recommendations for reparation payments as well as a slew of other benefits for black citizens. Newsom has finally responded by what sounded like the common birthday card that reads “I couldn’t afford a present so I gave you this card instead.” With California billions in the red, Newsom appears to be sending up a trial balloon on offering heartfelt apologies, promises of reform, and no cash.

Continue reading “Newsom Sends a Card: California Governor Suggests that Reparations is More Than Just Money” →

Res ipsa loquitur – The thing itself speaks