Academia

The Educational Cartel: How Randi Weingarten Finally Said the Quiet Part Out Loud

American Federation of Teachers president Randi Weingarten is known primarily for two things: screaming into microphones at political rallies and making the teacher’s union an extension of the Democratic Party. However, Weingarten had an unintended substantive moment when she changed her earlier position on the elimination of the Education Department. Weingarten previously shrugged off the elimination of the department as not a big deal for education. Recently, she returned to her irate default in denouncing the elimination. The reason, however, was telling. Continue reading “The Educational Cartel: How Randi Weingarten Finally Said the Quiet Part Out Loud” →

Academia, Columns, Constitutional Law, Politics

Panic Politics: Law Professors’ Umpteenth ‘Constitutional Crisis’ Falls Flat

Below is my column in the Hill on yet another letter from law professors declaring a “constitutional crisis” over the Trump policies. Despite the claims that this is a rogue president ignoring the rule of law, the Administration continues to prevail in some of these cases, including another ruling in favor of the Department of Government Efficiency late on Friday. As stated in the column, it has also lost some cases as did the prior Administration. The point is that, rather than witnessing the collapse of the constitutional system, these cases show that it is continuing to function as designed in sorting out these disputes.

Here is the column: Continue reading “Panic Politics: Law Professors’ Umpteenth ‘Constitutional Crisis’ Falls Flat” →

Free Speech, International, Religion

British Blasphemy? UK Government Moves Toward New Definition of “Islamophobia” for Speech Regulation

Recently, after the speech of Vice President J.D. Vance in Munich, various European leaders went public to express their shock and disbelief that they would be accused of rolling back on free speech. For many of us, it was a laughable display of denial, particularly from UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. In a country that has eviscerated free speech, Starmer told Bret Baier that the UK “guards” free speech and “we don’t believe in censoring speech.” Now, the government is continuing this month with its effort to regulate and criminalize speech. The effort to crack down on “Islamophobia” could create a type of blasphemy standard if it encompasses criticism of the faith or its practices.

Continue reading “British Blasphemy? UK Government Moves Toward New Definition of “Islamophobia” for Speech Regulation” →

Free Speech, Politics, Torts

Walz Leads Effort to Block the “No Duty to Retreat” Rule in Acts of Self-Defense

Gov. Tim Walz has never appeared burdened by legal niceties or accuracy in pushing his agenda, including his anti-free speech policies. However, his recent effort to block an effort to enact a “no duty to retreat” rule for self-defense hit a new low. Walz completely misrepresented not only the underlying bill, HF 13, but ignored the common law on self-defense. Continue reading “Walz Leads Effort to Block the “No Duty to Retreat” Rule in Acts of Self-Defense” →

Congress, Free Speech, Politics

“We Shall Overcome”: Eighty Percent of the Public Opposed Green’s Conduct But Only Five Percent of Democratic Members Voted to Censure Him

The Democratic Party seemed to rush to embrace its utter obsolescence in disrupting the censure process of Rep. Al Green (D., Tx.). After Green disrupted the joint session address of President Donald Trump, Democrats responded by refusing to clear the well and singing “We shall overcome” over the voice of Speaker Mike Johnson (R., La.) — forcing him to put the house in recess. Polling indicates that the Democrats have a great deal to overcome as a CNN poll shows 80 percent of Americans disapprove of Green’s conduct. Continue reading ““We Shall Overcome”: Eighty Percent of the Public Opposed Green’s Conduct But Only Five Percent of Democratic Members Voted to Censure Him” →

Constitutional Law, Courts, Supreme Court

D.C. Circuit Clears the Way for Trump to Fire Special Counsel

Last week, I wrote a column questioning the legal basis for the opinion by Judge Amy Berman Jackson in favor of fired Special Counsel Hampton Dellinger. It appears that the D.C. Circuit agrees. An appellate panel just permitted the removal of Dellinger just four days after Jackson declared the removal “unlawful.” Continue reading “D.C. Circuit Clears the Way for Trump to Fire Special Counsel” →

Lawyering, Media, Politics

Hunter Biden Claims Financial Distress in Seeking to Drop Lawsuit Against Ex-White House Official

There is a notable filing this week in Los Angeles where Hunter Biden is seeking to dismiss one of his many lawsuits against individuals associated with disclosing or discussing the contents of his infamous laptop. While Hunter spent years suggesting that the laptop images and emails might be Russian disinformation (with the help of obliging mainstream media), the contents were found to be authentic by courts and agencies. In seeking to drop his lawsuit against an ex-White House aide, Garrett Ziegler, Biden claims to be, again, in financial ruin. Continue reading “Hunter Biden Claims Financial Distress in Seeking to Drop Lawsuit Against Ex-White House Official” →

Constitutional Law, Courts, Supreme Court

Down But Not Out: The Supreme Court Rules 5-4 Against the Freezing $2 Billion in USAID Funds

In an interesting 5-4 split, the Supreme Court has denied the Trump Administration’s application for a stay of a district court’s temporary restraining order (TRO) against the Administration’s effort to freeze $2 billion in funds from the U.S. Agency for International Development. The Administration is down by one vote but hardly out in the fight with lower courts over the control of this funding. Continue reading “Down But Not Out: The Supreme Court Rules 5-4 Against the Freezing $2 Billion in USAID Funds” →

Bizarre, Congress

“I’m Ready for My Close-Up”: Mayors Tap the Public for Massive Fees to Prepare for Immigration Hearing

At the end of Sunset Boulevard, Norma Desmond (playing the murderous former silent movie star) walks flamboyantly down a staircase to awaiting police and says, “All right, Mr. DeMille, I’m ready for my close-up.”

It is one of the most powerful and creepy moments in cinema. A delusional, forgotten star enjoying the last moment of attention — even with a crowd of cops awaiting to take her to jail.

Norma Desmond came to mind today as it was disclosed that Democratic mayors in cities with struggling programs and funding shortfalls will be spending millions to prepare them to answer questions about their sanctuary city policies.  Mayors Michelle Wu of Boston, Brandon Johnson of Chicago, Mike Johnston of Denver and Eric Adams of New York will appear before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Continue reading ““I’m Ready for My Close-Up”: Mayors Tap the Public for Massive Fees to Prepare for Immigration Hearing” →

Academia, Politics

“Defamiliarizing” the Border: Professors Denounce Borders in Opposing Trump Immigration Policies

For years, the mantra on the left was “reimagining” everything from policing to free speech to defense. Reimagining often was a synonym for defunding or limiting the subject matter. Now, Georgetown Law Professor Sherally Munshi and others are attacking border enforcement as “ethically indefensible.” Munshi calls it “defamiliarizing” the whole concept of borders, which she and others in higher education now find morally reprehensible. Continue reading ““Defamiliarizing” the Border: Professors Denounce Borders in Opposing Trump Immigration Policies” →

Academia, Environment, Travel Blog

The Enchanting Beauty of Naples, Florida

Tonight, I have the pleasure of giving the keynote address at the annual Venetian Carnival night held by the Ave Maria School of Law in Naples, Florida. I will be discussing my book, “The Indispensable Right: Free Speech in an Age of Rage.” In addition to participating in this legendary celebration, the trip allowed me to return to Naples with its gorgeous beaches and sunsets. I never fail to be awed by beauty and power of sunsets in Naples. I wanted to share a series of photos of this nightly wonder. Continue reading “The Enchanting Beauty of Naples, Florida” →

Columns, Congress, Free Speech, Media, Politics

“Which Country is he Loyal to?”: Democrats Go Full McCarthy in Attacks on Musk

Below is my column in The Hill on the disgraceful Democratic attacks against Elon Musk over his status as a naturalized citizen. For years, some of us have raised concerns over the adoption of McCarthyite tactics and rhetoric by the left to demonize those with opposing viewpoints, including critics of the massive censorship system under the Biden Administration.  Those attacks are now reaching a dangerous crescendo after the 2024 loss in the presidential election.

Here is the column: Continue reading ““Which Country is he Loyal to?”: Democrats Go Full McCarthy in Attacks on Musk” →

Columns, Constitutional Law, Courts, Supreme Court

Spoiling for a Fight: Why the Administration’s Loss Last Night May Be Not Just Expected But Welcomed

Late Saturday, D.C. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson ruled that President Donald Trump violated federal law in firing Hampton Dellinger, head of the Office of Special Counsel. Jackson’s decision is forceful, well-written, and challengeable under existing precedent. Indeed, it may have just set up an appeal that both presidents and professors have long waited for to reinforce presidential powers. Continue reading “Spoiling for a Fight: Why the Administration’s Loss Last Night May Be Not Just Expected But Welcomed” →

Media, Politics

The Press Falls to Another Record Low in Public Trust
We have previously discussed polling showing the media at record lows in public trust. Well, the latest survey from Gallup shows that the media hit another all-time low. What is most impressive is that plummeting readers, revenues, and layoffs have done little to convince the mainstream media that the problem is not the public but themselves. The only institution with a  lower level of public trust is Congress, and that says a lot. It is like beating Ebola as the preferred communicable disease. Continue reading “The Press Falls to Another Record Low in Public Trust” →