Trump Loves Accusing Critics of Treason. U.S. Law Makes That Charge Hard To Prove—for Good Reason.
The president’s habitual attempts to criminalize dissent hark back to tyrants of yore.
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Trump's Proposed $250 Bill Is Everything the Founders Despised
George Washington actively opposed the U.S. Mint putting his face on coinage, as it would've resembled the reverence reserved for monarchs.
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?
Trump Cut Nuclear Red Tape. Now His Administration Is Picking Winners.
The Trump administration can build on its success in the nuclear industry by getting out of the way.
Markwayne Mullin's Less 'Flashy' DHS Is Using the Same Thuggish Tactics
Mullin's latest idea is to stop processing international arrivals at airports in sanctuary cities.
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.
The Libertarian Party's New Leader Has No Interest in Playing Kingmaker
"There's no deals that can be made for a cabinet position when you're sacrificing our set of principles in our platform," says Evan McMahon.
Elon Did DOGE. Now Mamdani Is Trying COGE.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s COGE sounds like DOGE, but New Yorkers should not expect the mayor to shrink the city’s bureaucracy.
Republicans Shrug at Trump's Outrageous Corruption
Any self-styled advocate for limited government should be furious about Trump's $1.8 billion slush fund, but few Republicans are willing to denounce it.
James Talarico vs. Ken Paxton, the Pope on AI, and Caves
Robby Soave and Christian Britschgi discuss James Talarico changing his tune and how the Pope views artificial intelligence.
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.
For America's 250th Birthday, Give Us the Gift of Renewed Federalism
The country should rediscover its decentralized roots to revive freedom and national pride.
Review: Racism, Immigration, and the American Dream in This Ragtime Revival
The musical contemplates the best way to achieve social change in the face of injustice.
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.
DHS Directs ICE To Crack Down on Allegedly Fraudulent Asylum Claims
It's President Donald Trump's latest attempt to restrict a form of humanitarian relief sought by millions.
Rejected Search Warrant Applications Raise Further Questions About the Federal Case Against Don Lemon
After a magistrate judge said a DHS investigator had failed to establish probable cause, the government decided it did not need the YouTube and iPhone records after all.
New York Legislators Seek Broader Anti-Shackling Protections Following Courtroom Birth in Brooklyn
New York lawmakers want to close loopholes in anti-shackling laws to protect incarcerated pregnant women.
Thomas and Alito Take a Regrettable Position in a Qualified Immunity Case
The two judicial conservatives continue to disappoint criminal justice reform advocates.
Stop Giving Property Tax Breaks to Senior Citizens
If the government does not reduce the cost of public services, then a special tax break for one group merely forces everyone else to pick up the slack.
Leaked Plans Show School Buses Could Become Roaming Surveillance Vehicles
The documents reveal BusPatrol’s plan to equip tens of thousands of school buses with license plate readers and share the data with law enforcement.
A 'More Decisive' Response
Plus: when the city government starts covering Ozempic, Jill Biden's lies, and more...
Brickbats: June 2026
News of politicians, police, and bureaucrats behaving badly from around the world
How the Billionaire Tax Could Make California Poorer
One upcoming ballot measure would expand the state's taxing power. A lesser-known measure would limit it. Which will win?
The Other Vindictive Part of Kilmar Abrego Garcia's Case
A judge last week threw out a criminal indictment against him on the grounds that it was tainted by vindictiveness. But that same spirit infects another part of his story that few people have discussed.
Does Reporting Bad News About the Iran War Make You a Foreign Agent?
The Trump administration invokes the notoriously vague FARA to threaten a critic.
Ken Paxton's Primary Victory Shows How Trump's Grudges Undermine His Party's Interests
The president's last-minute endorsement of Paxton was driven by his petty grievances against incumbent Sen. John Cornyn, who was clearly the safer bet to retain the seat.
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.
James Talarico's Fake Olive Branch to Republicans
The Democratic candidate dresses up a negative, partisan appeal as genuine moderation.
5 Bills Signed by Wes Moore That Will Impact Housing and AI Development in Maryland
Couched with good intentions, new laws aimed at housing and artificial intelligence development will add more layers of red tape to Maryland’s growing bureaucracy.
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.
Anti-Tech Extremism Worries the Same Federal Government That's Been Fueling Anti-Tech Extremism
Plus: Plan B for STIs, justifying "deadly force" to protect fertilized eggs, and more.
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.
Escalation in Iran
Plus: NDAs for federal employees, standardized test standards slipping, SpaceX IPO, and more...
High Liquor Taxes and a Home Distillation Ban Guarantee a Thriving Booze Black Market
The courts have an opportunity to legalize small-scale distillation, but taxes remain a problem.
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?
Even Republicans Are Rebelling at Trump's Blatantly Corrupt 'Anti-Weaponization Fund'
Using taxpayer money to reward the president’s allies has nothing to do with the president's claims against the IRS.
Does Anyone Know What's Happening in Iran?
Plus: Spencer Pratt’s mayoral campaign rattles Los Angeles, Trump’s “Anti-Weaponization Fund" sparks backlash, and the editors revisit Project 2025
France Is Banning Zyn and Threatening To Jail People for 5 Years
The French government has criminalized the use of nicotine pouches. Users can be punished with up to 5 years in prison and a fine of almost half a million dollars.
A Reprieve for Build-To-Rent
The House passes a housing bill that protects build-to-rent development while still cracking down on large investors.
