Trump's Dubious New Section 301 Tariffs
They appear to be yet another illegal power grab, one that should be challenged in court.
Economics
This Social Worker Wants To Help Kids With Special Needs. Louisiana Won't Let Her.
The state requires that people prove certain businesses are needed. How to do that is another question entirely.
Cutting Tariffs on Farm Equipment Is Another Admission That Trump's Trade Policies Are Increasing Prices
Even as the White House backs away from its foolish tariff plans, the Trump administration keeps revealing why it should never have had these powers in the first place.
The Cigar Lounge That Bureaucracy Almost Killed
In Roanoke, Virginia, one entrepreneur’s dream ran into permit rules, taxes, Prohibition-era alcohol rules, and a city order to spend $10,000 on a “historic” dry-cleaning sign.
Trump's Cotton Bailout Is Another Sign His Tariffs Aren't Working
The Great American Cotton Plan will shell out millions in taxpayer funds, continuing the Trump administration’s pattern of paying off industries harmed by the president’s economic policies.
How To Win a Trade War? Lose Less Than Your Opponents.
The only winning move is not to play. But if you must, a new book offers some suggestions.
Trump Administration Will Appeal Ruling Requiring Tariff Refunds
They claim the injunction requiring refunds cannot be universal, and can only apply to those businesses who filed lawsuits seeking recovery.
Is Private Equity Really 'Buying Up the Rituals of American Childhood'?
Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy says that capitalism is killing youth hockey and fueling a "crisis of resentment." But who exactly is pissed?
The Least Surprising Headline Ever: 'Blowing Up Boats Hasn't Slowed Cocaine Traffic to U.S.'
After nine months of murdering suspected cocaine smugglers, the Trump administration has no evidence that the strategy is working as advertised.
Iran Is Turning America's Sanctions Playbook Against It
The U.S. Treasury is trying to fight the kind of trade embargo that it usually imposes on other countries.
California Public Sector Union Threatens Environmental Lawsuit Over Gavin Newsom's Return-to-Office Policy
Unionized state workers say agencies need to study the additional emissions that would be caused by requiring employees to come into the office four days a week.
Should You Be Allowed To Sell a Kidney? Economist Explains 'Repugnant Markets'
Alvin Roth, Nobel Memorial Prize–winning economist, wants us to think more about how controversial freedoms can become commonplace.
Trump's Trade War Caused a $15 Billion Decline in U.S. Farm Sales to China
Though some of their products may have been redirected elsewhere, American farmers are likely eating most of the losses.
A Flawed Minimum Wage Study Shows How Bad Stats Get Turned Into Policy Gospel
A 2024 paper claimed higher minimum wages don't kill jobs. It was statistically significant—and almost certainly misleading.
How Moral Panic Creates Black Markets
Nobel Prize-winning economist Alvin E. Roth discusses the moral limits of markets, how bans create black markets, and why harm reduction often works better than prohibition.
Illinois Plans Tax Break for Billionaires and the Chicago Bears. Everyone Else Could End Up Paying More.
A new Bears stadium and Gov. J.B. Pritzker himself stand to gain if the legislation passes.
250 Years Later, Benjamin Franklin's Warning Is Still Relevant
He famously said the Founders had created "a republic, if you can keep it." How have we kept it? And can we continue?
Just 1 World Record at the Enhanced Games Shows the Integrity of the Competition
I watched hours and hours of the Enhanced Games so you didn’t have to.
Ayn Rand Is Alive in Ankara
Objectivism in Turkey has risen and fallen in recent decades, but is newly rejuvenated.
Abigail Spanberger Vetoes Mandatory Collective Bargaining, Defying Virginia Unions
The surprising move saves taxpayers from a steep bill—for now.
Video of my Bruno Leoni Institute (Milan) Talk on the Supreme Court Tariff Decision and its Implications
I gave the talk earlier this week.
Trump's Approval Rating Is Cratering. Tariffs Are a Big Reason Why.
They cost each American household roughly $1,000 in 2025, with more coming in 2026.
US Court of International Trade Refuses to Stay Injunction Against Trump's Section 122 Tariffs
The decision means the injunction blocking collection of the tariffs will not be blocked while litigation continues.
Why Populism Leads to Decline
Johan Norberg discusses what makes societies prosperous, why protectionism and nostalgia keep returning, and how populism feeds cultural decline.
Trump Is the High-Prices President
Trump's signature policies are pushing prices higher—and voters are pushing back.
The Congressional Black Caucus Opposes a College Sports Bill Because of Gerrymandering
Plus: NCAA reform legislation on hold in Congress, the Senate discusses betting and sporting integrity, and private equity in youth sports
Why Is Trump Trying To Purge Thomas Massie?
Plus: inflation surges, Mamdani claims he closed New York City’s budget gap without cutting services, and a listener asks how to develop political confidence
Donald Trump and Josh Hawley's Federal Gas Tax Holiday Would Save Drivers Less Than $9 Per Month
It was a bad idea when Biden proposed it, and it's a bad idea now that Trump is proposing it. Want lower gas prices? End the war.
Josh Hawley's Pro-Union Bill Would Let Washington Write Your Contract
The GOP wants to be the party of labor. The Faster Labor Contracts Act isn't the way to do that.
A North Carolina Goodyear Plant Is the Latest Victim of Trump's Misguided Tariffs and Costly Iran War
Another example of the flawed logic behind the Trump administration's tariff policies: You can't make a tire without rubber, and the U.S. doesn't produce rubber.
Unitelma Sapienza University Talk and Interview About "Threats to Liberal Democracy in the United States - And How To Counter Them"
Videos of my presentation and interview on this topic at a major Italian university.
When Businesspeople Run Government, the Government Doesn't Become a Business
Central planning from Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, President Donald Trump, and others reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of what makes private markets work.
Are Democrats Now the Party of Free Markets? Don't Bet on It.
Even the abundance wing of the left wants "a much stronger government," in movement champion Ezra Klein's words.
The Zero-Sum Myth Driving Anti-Capitalism Politics
Yes, capitalism can cause some problems. It's also the only thing that works.
Congress Ramps Up Its Crusade Against Chinese Cars Ahead of Trump-Xi Meeting
Chinese cars are cheap and widely popular, but Americans can't buy them.
John Fetterman: 'I'm a Very Pro-Capitalist Democrat'
Sen. John Fetterman discusses the state of the Democratic Party, immigration, foreign policy, and the dangers of political extremism.
Reason Receives 17 Nominations for Southern California Journalism Awards
Nominees include stories on America's gerontocracy, the war on chocolate, how Texas beat California on housing, and more.
The War Comes for Your Wallet: Inflation Hits 3.8%, Highest Level in 3 Years
Prices are now rising faster than wages, just like during much of the Biden years. The war in Iran is largely to blame.
Clarence Thomas Sets a New SCOTUS Record
Plus: A "supremely cringe" viral tweet about the Supreme Court
'Boneless Wings' Aren't Really Wings. Is That Fraud?
"Our boneless wings are all white meat chicken....Our buffalo wings are 0% buffalo," Buffalo Wild Wings quipped.
Gavin Newsom's Free Diaper Disaster
Plus: AOC attacks billionaires, Trump heads into Xi talks weakened by the Iran conflict, and redistricting battles escalate nationwide
A Modest Uptick in Supreme Court Popularity
A recent YouGov poll shows the Court is likely less unpopular than before. The tariff ruling may have given it a boost. The poll has several other notable findings, as well.
Why the Bipartisan War on Housing Investors Won't Make Housing More Affordable
Politicians on the left and right are increasingly blaming large investors for raising home prices. Here's why they're wrong.
New Jersey's Iconic Diners Are Dying. This Is the Wrong Way To Save Them.
Democratic state lawmakers want to give tax carveouts to certain restaurants. The real problem is New Jersey's tax code itself.
