My USA Today Op Ed on Using Emergency Powers to Build Trump's Wall
The op ed explains why this option is not legal - and why it would set a dangerous precedent if the president succeeded in doing it.
Border wall
My New "Washington Post" Op Ed on Eminent Domain and the Border Wall
The op ed describes the extensive harm likely to be caused by condemning the large amounts of private property that would need to be seized to build the wall.
Trump's Dreamer-for-Wall Proposal Isn't a Good Faith Deal
But Democrats shouldn't simply walk away.
Anti-Wall GOP Rep. Will Hurd: 'There's a Thing We Care About in Texas Called Private Property Rights'
Some members of Congress still care about private property.
2 Big Reasons We Don't Need a Border Wall
The supposed border "crisis" is already solving itself.
Are Government Shutdowns Good for Libertarians?: Podcast
Rebutting Krugman, cracking on Graham, and searching in vain for "freedom" in a caucus.
Sorry, Paul Krugman, the Government Shutdown Is No Great Libertarian Experiment
Trump's shutdown is a temporary, political fight that won't save any money or reduce the size of government.
Some Conservatives Recognize the Risks of Using Emergency Powers to Build Trump's Wall
They correctly warn it would set a dangerous precedent that could be abused by future presidents, including liberal Democrats.
Freedom Caucus Chair Mark Meadows Supports Asset Forfeiture, National Emergency Declaration to Fund Wall
You know, for a caucus called "freedom"...
The Democrats' Alternative to Trump's Wall Isn't Good for Privacy or Property Rights Either
Congressional Democrats want to put more cameras and sensors on private property.
Alabama Congressman Invokes 9/11 to Defend Border Wall
Tragedy alone is not justification enough for drastic measures.
Trump's National Emergency Is an American Obscenity
Republicans embrace presidential authoritarianism, continuing a foul bipartisan tradition of legislating immigration through the executive branch.
Rep. Justin Amash Takes on Eminent Domain with 'Just Compensation' Bill
The bill would likely stop Trump from using the "military version of eminent domain."
Mitch McConnell is Keeping the Senate Out of the Shutdown Fight. It's a Hypocritical Abdication of Congressional Responsibility
Five years ago, McConnell declared the need to restore the Senate. Instead, he's broken it further.
My Op ed on Trump, Emergency Powers, and the Wall
The op ed was published yesterday in the New York Daily News, but may be even more relevant today.
A Real Wall Against a Fake Threat Won't Make America Safe Again
Give up your wall, Mr. President.
Why Drug Traffickers Laugh at Trump's Border Wall
The profit incentives created by prohibition doom any effort to block the drug "pipeline."
Did Donald Trump Jr. Just Compare Immigrants to Zoo Animals?
Note: Undocumented immigrants are not wild animals.
Pelosi and Schumer to Trump: End the Shutdown Now, Argue About Wall Funding Later
The two Democratic leaders' comments suggest neither side is going to compromise on wall funding anytime soon.
Trump's Border Wall Won't Block the Drug 'Pipeline'
The president's Oval Office address was misleading.
9 Numbers To Remember While Watching Trump's Immigration Speech
An immigration primer about the figures that matter. And the ones that Trump makes up.
Trump Will Probably Lie About Immigration Tonight
The president and his administration have a long track record of basing policy on dystopian falsehoods about terrorists and criminals streaming north.
Eight Minutes of Televised Trump Tonight Could Cause Chaos: Reason Roundup
Plus: Israel boycott bill divides Democrats, Cyntoia Brown gets clemency, and the "skills gap" was a lie.
Eminent Domain, Emergency Powers, and Trump's Wall
Can Trump really exploit emergency powers to use eminent domain to build his wall without additional congressional authorization? If he succeeds, conservatives are likely to regret the precedent he sets.
Does Tucker Carlson Get Anything Right About Libertarians?: Podcast
What conservatives against "market fundamentalism" can tell you about libertarians without power
Legal or Not, Trump Shouldn't Declare a 'National Emergency' To Build His Wall
He probably won't shut down the internet. But declaring a "national emergency" is a bad idea anyway.
Border Backlog Fuels Human Smuggling Spike: Reason Roundup
Plus: The TSA mask is slipping and government shutdown goes on.
Trump's Terrible Record on Property Rights
The President's recent threat to use "the military version of eminent domain" to seize property for his border wall is just the tip of a larger iceberg of policies and legal positions inimical to constitutional property rights.
What the Hell Is the 'Military Version of Eminent Domain'?
Whatever it is, it can't be good.
Life Will Go on if Trump Keeps the Government Shut Down for 'Years'
The world will keep spinning, no matter how long the government shutdown lasts.
Justin Amash: Say You're Not 'OK' With the Wall
You should call for a guest worker program to solve the problem of unauthorized immigration.
With Pelosi Back in Power, Impasse Over Border Wall Drags On: Reason Roundup
Plus: Democrats divided on deficit-neutral spending and an autopsy of The Weekly Standard.
House Dems' Plan to Reopen the Government Probably Won't Work. Thank Trump.
It all comes down to one man.
Democrats Should Trade Legalization of Immigrants for a Wall That'll Never be Built
Denying Trump a symbolic victory isn't a good reason to play with the lives of Dreamers.
Why Are Democrats Silent About the Dreamers?
Democrats should negotiate a partial wall for Dreamer deal
Will Trump's Stubborn Demand for Wall Funding Keep the Government Shut Down Forever?
No, but it's nice to fantasize.
The Federal Government Has Shut Down. Merry Christmas!
Yes, it's only temporary. But if it stops Trump from blowing money on a stupid border wall, cheer it on.
The Government Is Definitely Going to Shut Down Tonight. Maybe.
No but really, the shutdown is probably going to happen.
GoFundMe Page Trolls Border Wall With 'Ladders' Campaign, Raises $80,000 for Immigration Nonprofit
The campaign isn't actually about ladders.
Even Opponents of Trump's Wall Should Root for a Government Shutdown Today
The president needs to experience a political shellacking before he'll back off.
A GoFundMe Has Raised More Than $1 Million for Trump's Border Wall
It's a bad idea in more ways than one.
Go Ahead, President Trump, Shut Down the Government
And then watch your poll numbers tank
It Looks Like Trump Won't Shut Down the Government Over Border Wall Money
It sounds like Trump is folding, which is probably for the best.
Trump's Border Wall Is a Bad Idea. So Is a Government Shutdown.
The best we can hope for is that Trump gives in.
Rep. Justin Amash: Spending Deal 'Will Be Bad for the American People'
Drama over a possible government shutdown came to a head today. But Amash is sure of "one thing": The eventual deal won't be good for the country.
Trump Considers Tying Criminal Justice Reforms to Border Wall Funding
The FIRST STEP Act might get shoved into an end-of-year spending bill.
