Civil Liberties
My New Brennan Center Article on "Sanctuary Policies in a Federal System"
The article covers state sanctuary policies, their constitutional basis, how they can constrain Trump's mass deportation efforts, and how Trump can try to get around them.
What To Do If Border Police Ask To Search Your Phone
Know how much the law does—and doesn’t—protect your privacy rights.
The Alien Enemies Act Is an Unconstitutional Affront to Civil Liberties
Like with the Japanese internment during World War II, the current move to deport alleged alien criminals is driven by hysteria.
Survey: Free Speech Support Is Eroding in America
A new global survey reveals a stark decline in Americans' support for free speech as the Trump administration tightens its grip on expression.
Joe Rogan Is Right: It Is 'Kind of Crazy' To Deport Innocent People Mistakenly Identified As Gang Members
The Trump administration says it is shameful even to suggest that immigration agents could make such errors.
Leigh Stein and Julius Taranto: Did Wokeness and Trump Kill Literary Satire?
The novelists join the podcast for a sharp, satirical dive into fiction, free speech, and the absurdity of modern culture.
Can Trump Broker a TikTok Sale Before the April 5 Deadline?
The president seems optimistic. It's not clear why.
Nina Jankowicz's Defense of Government Censors Is Based on Misinformation
"Everything looks like a conspiracy when you don't know how anything works," said Jankowicz.
School Contractor Allegedly Fired for Complaining About Drag Show for Students in Grades 7-12
A federal court has allowed the contractor's claim to go forward, denying defendants' motion to dismiss (though of course the facts remain to be ascertained at trial or summary judgment).
Supreme Court Lets ATF Regulate (Some) DIY Firearms Kits
More litigation is required to find out which kits and unfinished parts are subject to regulation.
Cops Called on Dad for Playing Catch with 14-Year-Old Son at Park
"What is the end game here? Can you write a citation? Can you take me to jail?"
Deported for Innocent Tattoos?
People are allegedly being classified as gang members for tattoos of crowns, clocks, and soccer logos.
Mississippi Says Medical Marijuana Is Legal—Just Don't Talk About It
The state legalized medical marijuana but banned dispensary owners from advertising. Now, one owner is taking the fight to the Supreme Court.
FCC Chair Investigates Disney Over Potential Past and Present DEI Policies
Disney scaled back DEI policies this year. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr still opened an investigation.
Brown University Targets Student Journalist for Emailing Administrators
Brown is violating its code of conduct, which guarantees community members’ right to petition the university.
Second Amendment Roundup: Supreme Court Decides VanDerStok
Narrow decision leaves ATF regulation in limbo.
Defending Student Deportations, Marco Rubio Equates Writing an Anti-Israel Op-Ed With Starting a Riot
The detention of Tufts graduate student Rumeysa Ozturk illustrates the startling breadth of the authority the secretary of state is invoking.
"The 2024 Presidential Campaign Saw a Massive Disinformation and Misinformation Campaign, …
which likely helped bring the current administration into power."
To Remain Canadian, Our Northern Neighbors Should Become a Little More American
Canada long relied on the U.S. for protection. Now it needs to rediscover self-reliance.
Universities Should Challenge Trump's Speech-Based Deportations of Students in Court [Updated]
A lawsuit brought by universities could potentially be much more effective than leaving individual students to fend for themselves.
Marco Rubio Says He's Revoked 300 Student Visas Over Campus Activism
"We're looking every day for these lunatics that are tearing things up," Rubio said in a Thursday press conference.
Pam Bondi Aims To Revive a Moribund Legal Process for Restoring Gun Rights
A new Justice Department rule could help "prohibited persons" who pose no threat to public safety.
Paul Clement's Argument Against the Executive Order Targeting the WilmerHale Law Firm
It's a lawyer's argument, not an attempt at objective analysis. But I think that on balance it is generally quite correct, and powerfully framed.
The 'Meritocracy' Lie
Two months after he was inaugurated, Trump has smashed many of the government's silly DEI rules. But he hasn't created a new age of meritocracy.
Black Student Expelled for Sexual Assault of White Classmate Seeks Pseudonymity Partly Because "Interracial Sexual Relationships …
between White women and Black men are the subject of heightened prejudice and violent responses that create a tangible risk of retaliation and animus against him."
Signal Chat Controversy Is an Endorsement of Encryption Software
Popular encryption apps are probably secure if government officials rely on them.
Federal Judge Tosses Defamation Lawsuit Against NewsGuard
The self-styled watchdog site ranks news outlets' reliability, which has rankled those on both the right and left.
Kristi Noem Uses El Salvador's Nightmarish Megaprison To Create Content
The Homeland Security secretary's use of El Salvador's largest prison for propaganda is unethical and an endorsement of an autocratic justice system.
What VanDerStok Says about Agency Interpretations of Statutes
The Court's opinion upholding federal regulation of "ghost guns" makes passing reference to Loper Bright Enterprises.
Brazil Sentenced a Woman to 14 Years for Lipstick Graffiti
Débora Albuquerque scrawled “You lost, dude” on a statue. Now she’s being treated like a national security threat.
Why I'm Not Deleting My 23andMe Genetic Data
And you shouldn't be panicked into doing it either.
Ninth Circuit Declines to Block Idaho's "Biological Sex" Restrictions for Multi-Occupancy School Restrooms, Locker Rooms, and Shower Rooms
The court leaves open, though, the possibility that a narrower challenge aimed just at restrooms with closed stalls, where students wouldn't generally be partly or fully undressed where others can see them.
Georgia Backs Bill To Reaffirm Independent Kids, Protect Free-Range Parents
"Some people think that this is not one of those things that's super important—until you're affected by it," says David DeLugas.
Arizona Legislators Are Immune From Traffic Tickets During Session. A New Proposal Wants To Change That.
Legislators have used the state Constitution to avoid accountability for egregious traffic violations.
