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” →

Travel Blog

Hotty Toddy, Gosh Almighty: A Leisurely Walk Through Ole Miss

William Faulkner once said, “To understand the world, you must first understand a place like Mississippi.” This week I had a chance to test that principle for myself, including a visit to Faulkner’s home in Oxford, Mississippi. I spoke at the University of Mississippi’s The Declaration of Independence Center for the Study of American Freedom about my book, “Rage and the Republic: The Unfinished Story of the American Revolution.”  As I often do, I decided to take some pictures as I explored the campus and the nearby environs of Ole Miss. This is an extraordinary place filled with the nicest people you could ever hope to meet. I could not recommend a visit more highly. Continue reading “Hotty Toddy, Gosh Almighty: A Leisurely Walk Through Ole Miss” →

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” →

Columns, Society

Comey Goes Full Beyoncé: Did the Former Director Reveal a Pop Secret?

Below is my column in Fox.com on the recent public account by former FBI Director James Comey on how he sang Beyoncé’s “Sandcastles” to FBI officials in a classified briefing. If true, the story shows another instance where Comey appears to have disregarded security protocols for personal reasons. Comey, who found Hillary Clinton was “extremely careless” in handling classified and sensitive information appears to have a musical exception for sharing code names. It appears that it cannot be classified if it is karaoke.

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” →

Academia, Constitutional Law

Hotty Toddy, Gosh Almighty: Turley to Speak on “Rage and the Republic” at Ole Miss Today

I am delighted to serve as the keynote speaker this evening at the University of Mississippi’s The Declaration of Independence Center for the Study of American Freedom. I will be discussing my book, “Rage and the Republic: The Unfinished Story of the American Revolution.” I hope to see some of our blog community near Ole Miss at the 5:30 event in Bryant Hall (209). Continue reading “Hotty Toddy, Gosh Almighty: Turley to Speak on “Rage and the Republic” at Ole Miss Today” →

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”” →

Columns, Constitutional Law, Free Speech

How a First-Grader Taught Her School District and a Federal Judge about Free Speech

Below is my column in The Hill on the recent significant victory for free speech out of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. It is a story of how this little first-grade girl schooled her principal and a federal judge on the essence of free speech.

Here is the column: Continue reading “How a First-Grader Taught Her School District and a Federal Judge about Free Speech” →

Constitutional Law, Society

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JEMMY!!!

Today is the birthday of our greatest Framer and the genius behind our Constitution: James Madison. He would have been 275 years old. I ordinarily celebrate at home (as shown in this picture from a previous Jemmy Party). However, I am in Naples, Florida, to talk about Rage and the Republic, which discusses Madison’s brilliant design for our Republic. I will be toasting Jemmy tonight as I hope you do. Continue reading “HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JEMMY!!!” →

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” →

Travel Blog

A Visit With The Gipper: My Trip to the Reagan Presidential Library

This week, I had the distinct pleasure of speaking at the Reagan Presidential Library on my book, Rage and the Republic. I was able to spend time with the outstanding staff of the library and the foundation, who were kind enough to give me a tour of this unique and inspiring place. I hope that sharing some pictures from the visit might lead some of you to plan a visit to the library in Simi Valley. It is truly extraordinary in the breadth of its collection and its presentation of historical artifacts. Give yourself a few hours because you will want to explore every corner of this amazing place. Continue reading “A Visit With The Gipper: My Trip to the Reagan Presidential Library” →

Academia

“We Need to Destroy”: Former Columbia Professor Calls for Violence and Glorifies the Murder of Jews

Professor Muhammad Abdou, who until recently taught students at Columbia University, appeared online this week to spread calls for religious-based violence and glorify the murder of Jews. He did so as part of an event at the Union Theological Seminary, an institution associated with Columbia. While the university recently ended Abdou’s teaching, it is important to remember that this unhinged fanatic was previously chosen by Columbia faculty and administrators to teach their students. Those individuals remain at Columbia, and Abdou is just the latest example of the radical chic of higher education. Continue reading ““We Need to Destroy”: Former Columbia Professor Calls for Violence and Glorifies the Murder of Jews” →

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” →

Res ipsa loquitur – The thing itself speaks