Civil Liberties
Alan Dershowitz's Libel Case Over CNN's Coverage of His Defense in Trump Impeachment Thrown Out
"For a public figure like Dershowitz to prevail, defamation law has long required proof of a speaker's actual malice: knowledge of or reckless disregard for the falsity of a statement. But here, the available evidence points to the reporters’ sincere—if mistaken or even overwrought—belief in the truth of their accusations."
New Jersey Town Drops Plan to Condemn a Church to Build a Park and Pickleball Courts
The mayor abandoned the plan after it aroused strong political resistance and threats of litigation.
When Can Lawyers Be Punished for "Undignified or Discourteous" Criticism of Judges?
"Miss Manners has much to commend her within a polite and respectful society, but we are not her enforcement division."
Death Doulas Have First Amendment Right to Advise Clients Without Having to Get Funeral Services License
"[Indiana's] approach furthers the state's interests the way an atom bomb would further the eradication of a residential ant infestation."
California Law Restricting "Materially Deceptive" Election-Related Deepfakes Violates First Amendment
So a federal judge just held.
New Pew Charitable Trusts Repot on "How States and Cities Decimated Americans' Lowest-Cost Housing Option"
They have done so banning or severely restricting low-cost "single-room occupancy" (SRO) housing.
The 10th Circuit Agrees That Prosecuting Cannabis Consumers for Gun Possession May Be Unconstitutional
The appeals court rejected most of the arguments in favor of that policy, saying "the government must show non-intoxicated marijuana users pose a risk of future danger."
Zombie Knives Don't Kill People, but Banning Them Kills Liberty
Britain’s crackdown on “zombie-style” knives shows how politicians blame objects instead of criminals—and how bans only hurt the law-abiding.
Maybe Prayer Isn't Bullshit
Plus: Beware of distorted data, inside the mind of Curtis Sliwa, a thong-related clarification, and more...
Should We Take More Kids From Their Homes or Fewer?
When children are abused, we want government to step in. But Child Protective Services sometimes goes too far.
My New The Hill Article: "Abolish ICE and Give the Money to Real Cops"
It makes the case for abolishing ICE and transferring its funds to state and local police.
D.C. Is Just the Beginning—the Trump Administration Is Preparing To Deploy Troops to More U.S. Cities.
The president signed an executive order on Monday establishing specialized units within the National Guard to support federal law enforcement in American cities.
Looks Like We Found a Ham Sandwich a Grand Jury Won't Indict
A federal grand jury reportedly refused to indict Sean Dunn for hurling a hoagie at a federal law enforcement officer.
Inside Jeffrey Epstein's Spy Industry Connections
Leaked emails show Epstein’s attempts to dabble in security tech—across borders—in the last years of his life.
Compensation for Legal Fees Is a Critical Protection Against Civil Forfeiture Abuses
A recent federal appeals court decision underlines the importance of that safeguard.
Can Vanderbilt Student Suspended for Alleged False Accusations Sue Vanderbilt Pseudonymously?
No, says, a District Court judge.
Delaware S. Ct. Rejects Defamation Claim Brought by Repair Shop Owner Who Provided Hunter Biden Laptop to Media
It also rejects Hunter Biden's invasion-of-privacy counterclaim, on statute of limitations grounds.
Burn, Baby, Burn
Plus: Government stake in Intel, inside the DNC, RFK Jr. brings back whole milk, and more...
Is This the Supreme Court's Next Big Abortion Case?
Plus: An impressive book by a Supreme Court justice.
Prosecutions Under New "Prosecuting Burning of the American Flag" Executive Order Would Violate First Amendment
And this is so even though the order targets flag desecration that could be punished under more neutral rules.
Alleged Retaliation by High School Coach Against Athlete Leads to First Amendment Claim
"Disputes between a high school coach and an athlete's parent are common, but most of those disputes do not lead to multiple internal investigations, a police report, and a federal lawsuit. This one did."
Trump's Executive Order Prohibiting Flag Burning Is Unconstitutional
The president is the last person who should confuse protected speech with incitement to violence.
Bluesky Blocks Mississippi Users
Age verification laws are already coming for Americans’ access to free speech.
The 11th Circuit Revives a Constitutional Challenge to the Federal Law That Disarms Medical Marijuana Patients
The appeals court concluded that the government had failed to show that policy is consistent with "this Nation's historical tradition of firearm regulation."
Judge Orders Alligator Alcatraz To Wind Down Operations Within 60 Days
A federal district court judge granted environmentalist groups’ request for a preliminary injunction.
No First Amendment Right to Spray Paint "Free Gaza" on State University of N.Y. Buildings
The court also rejected defendants' "necessity" defense.
Georgia Woman Could Lose $30,000 After Local Government Denies Her Permit To Open Hair Salon
Despite meeting all the requirements, the Board of Commissioners in Clayton County made an arbitrary decision to deny Khalilah Few a conditional use permit to open her salon.
Tulsi Gabbard Fends Off Europe's Antitech Tyrants—for Now
Convincing the U.K. to stand down on backdoor access to Apple's encryption is a big win. The next battle will be fought over age verification.
Is Gay Marriage Really Under Threat at the Supreme Court?
Asking SCOTUS to hear a case is not the same thing as convincing SCOTUS to hear a case.
