For years, many have complained that colleges and universities have almost exclusively invited Democratic and liberal figures to serve as commencement speakers. Despite this country being divided down the middle, conservative families and students are expected to listen to Democratic politicians and far-left figures at graduations. This year, schools seem to be doubling down with figures ranging from Nancy Pelosi (Notre Dame de Namur University) to Jamie Raskin (American University and Goucher College) to candidates like James Talarico (Paul Quinn College). There is no subtlety in their selection or their messages. Pelosi slammed the GOP and Trump while Talarico gave effectively a stump speech on fighting the billionaires. Continue reading “Final Convocation or Indoctrination? 2026 Commencement Speakers Again are Overwhelmingly Democratic and Liberal”
This week, I had the honor of giving a keynote address at the Ohio Supreme Court’s conference on my book, Rage and the Republic, and our founding principles. I must confess to some embarrassment at being unaware of the history and beauty of the Ohio Supreme Court. I was instantly overwhelmed by the building and eagerly accepted Chief Justice Sharon Kennedy’s offer of a tour. Continue reading “The Judicious Beauty of the Ohio Supreme Court”
Below is my column on Fox.com on House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries declaring the Supreme Court “illegitimate.” It is a statement that has dangerously moved beyond the mere hyperbolic as Democrats push to pack or even eliminate the Court.
Here is the column: Continue reading “Contempt of Court: Hakeem Jeffries Denounces the Supreme Court as “Illegitimate””
This week, DePaul University is moving from merely woke to academic insomnia. The university is teaming up with former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot to create an institute dedicated to journalism and “racial justice.” As trust in the media plunges, DePaul is moving to double down on advocacy journalism with the “Institute for Journalism and Racial Justice.” Continue reading “DePaul University Creates the “Institute for Journalism and Racial Justice” With Lori Lightfoot”
The University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Law has brought a new meaning to the heckler’s veto. Some of us criticized the law school for its failure to hold students accountable for disrupting a recent Federalist Society event featuring James Percival, general counsel of the Department of Homeland Security. While the law school administration does not appear interested in holding the protesters accountable, it has threatened the Federalist Society that it could face discipline if it identifies any of the students who disrupted the event. This perfectly surreal position was stated in a letter from Bayrex Martí, UCLA’s assistant dean for student affairs. Continue reading “Heckler’s Veto: UCLA Warns Federalist Society Not to Reveal Identity of Student Protesters”
Below is my column on Fox.com on the second indictment of former FBI director James Comey. Despite being one of Comey’s longest critics, the indictment raises troubling free speech issues. In the end, it must be the Constitution, not Comey, that drives the analysis and this indictment is unlikely to withstand constitutional scrutiny. If it did, it would allow the government to criminalize a huge swath of political speech in the United States.
Here is the column:
Continue reading “Shell Speech: Why the Second Comey Indictment is Likely to Fail”
“Incredible, unstoppable titan of terror!” Those words advertising the 1954 movie Godzilla could be the billing of a new freakish giant stretching across the sleeping farm fields of Virginia. Now in a court near you is The Lobster, a monster over 100 miles long. The only saving grace is that this creature only devours Republicans, leaving roughly half the state with virtually no representation in Congress. Continue reading ““Incredible, Unstoppable Titan of Terror!”: The Lobster That Devoured Virginia’s Constitution”
We are seeing increasing support for violent action across social media, including those lamenting that the recent presidential assassination was not successful. Conservative sites have been featuring teachers and others who were upset that the recent effort failed, including one who has now lost her job. The current violence and violent rhetoric have been building for years as our leaders fuel the rage in the nation.
Continue reading “A Nation Divided: The Chilling Embrace of Political Violence in the United States”
Below is my column in The Hill on the recent New York Times podcast exploring the justifications for crimes ranging from theft to murder. The podcast with radical Hasan Piker, the New York Times Opinion Culture Editor Nadja Spiegelman, and New Yorker writer Jia Tolentino captured the moral relativism that has taken hold of the left in American society. Reading the manifesto of the accused White House Correspondents Association Dinner shooter Cole Tomas Allen shows the ultimate expression of a society where rage has replaced morality and decency.
Here is the column: Continue reading “The Moral Malaise: The New York Times Makes the Case for “Microlooting” to Murder”
Below is my column on Fox.com discussing the most recent call to be “ruthless” and to pack the Supreme Court. It is only the latest call for fundamental changes in our system on the 250th anniversary of our revolution.
Here is the column: Continue reading ““Let’s Get Ruthless”: Bulwark’s Bill Kristol Suggests Illiberal Means Are Needed to Save Liberal Democracy”
Below is my column in the California Post and New York Post on the recent claims made by Democratic candidates in the debate for California’s governorship. As expected, the race-baiting rhetoric flowed from each of the Democratic candidates, including a claim that requiring English proficiency is “racial profiling.”
Here is the column: Continue reading ““Racial Profiling” or Race Baiting? Tom Steyer’s Illiterate Take on English Proficiency”
As Virginia heads to the state Supreme Court, Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones (D) will have to up his game a bit. For starters, he will have to actually defend the redistricting resolution as constitutional when prompted. In a recent interview with CNN, even the host of the friendly network expressed frustration that Jones could not seem to get himself to actually defend the dubious language of the ballot measure. Continue reading ““I Don’t Hear You Answering My Question”: Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones Punts on Whether Redistricting Language Passes Constitutional Muster”
The slogan of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) may be “Let there be light,” but a recent Federalist Society event produced more heat than light in the law school. Students and faculty wanted to hear from James Percival, general counsel of the Department of Homeland Security, on a host of issues. However, students organized to prevent others from hearing from Percival, who was drowned out by profanity and cellphones at the event. Continue reading “More Heat Than Light: UCLA Students Disrupt Federalist Society Event”
The indictment of the Southern Poverty Law Center on federal fraud charges this week is the start of what could become not just a major criminal prosecution but a major constitutional challenge. At issue is whether the Center’s secret operations to enlist and pay informers constituted fraud of its donors. Continue reading “The SPLC Indictment: Can Public Interest Groups Run Alleged Black-Bag Jobs and Confidential Informants?”