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Breonna Taylor

An illustration showing the book cover for "Beyond Control" by Jacob Sullum | Illustration: Eddie Marshall | Midjourney

War on Drugs

'Botched' Drug Raids Show How Prohibition Invites Senseless Violence

The war on drugs authorizes police conduct that otherwise would be readily recognized as criminal.

Jacob Sullum | 9.2.2025 12:01 AM

Michael Mendenhall outside his Denver business | Institute for Justice

Fourth Amendment

Denver Case Highlights the Potentially Deadly Hazards of Police Raids Based on Secondhand Information

Michael Mendenhall wants the Supreme Court to reconsider a precedent that allows home invasions based on nothing but hearsay.

Jacob Sullum | 6.9.2025 4:20 PM

Breonna Taylor in her EMT outfit, in front of Louisville city logo | family photo

Breonna Taylor

Nearly Five Years After Breonna Taylor's Death, Justice Remains Elusive

A long-delayed conviction illustrates the difficulty of holding cops accountable for abusing their powers.

Jacob Sullum | 11.6.2024 12:01 AM

Brett Hankison walking into federal court | Taylor Six/Newscom

Breonna Taylor

Cop Who Fired Blindly Into Breonna Taylor's Home Is Convicted of Violating Her Constitutional Rights

Former Louisville detective Brett Hankison is one of four officers who faced federal charges after a deadly 2020 drug raid.

Jacob Sullum | 11.4.2024 2:45 PM

Breonna Taylor in her EMT outfit, in front of Louisville city logo | family photo

War on Drugs

Federal Judge Highlights the Hazards of Reckless Drug War Tactics

The ruling notes that Breonna Taylor’s death resulted from the "late-night, surprise manner of entry."

Jacob Sullum | 8.28.2024 12:01 AM

Breonna Taylor | selfie

Police Abuse

Why a Federal Judge Dismissed 2 Felony Charges Stemming From the Drug Raid That Killed Breonna Taylor

U.S. District Judge Charles Simpson concluded that the alleged facts did not support penalty enhancements for violating the Fourth Amendment but left several other charges in place.

Jacob Sullum | 8.26.2024 3:50 PM

Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas | HPD

Second Amendment

Texas House Overwhelmingly Approves Restrictions on No-Knock Warrants

Conservatives who support the bill recognize the conflict between unannounced home invasions and the Second Amendment.

Jacob Sullum | 5.8.2023 4:05 PM

A sign held up at a protest over the killing of Breonna Taylor | Karla Ann Cote/Zuma Press/Newscom

Police Abuse

The Louisville Cop Who Killed Breonna Taylor Has a New Law Enforcement Gig

Myles Cosgrove never faced criminal charges in connection with Taylor's death, but he was fired for his reckless use of deadly force.

Jacob Sullum | 4.27.2023 2:30 PM

The door to a Louisville Police vehicle | Benkrut / Dreamstime.com

Police Abuse

Justice Department Probe Finds Illegal, Violent, and Discriminatory Policing in Louisville, Kentucky

The two-year investigation, launched after the police killing of Breonna Taylor, concluded that Louisville police routinely used invalid search warrants and failed to knock and announce their presence.

C.J. Ciaramella | 3.8.2023 2:50 PM

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who blocked marijuana banking reform in 2021, blamed Republicans for blocking it in 2022. | Chris Kleponis/Pool via CNP/Picture Alliance/Consolidated News Photos/Newscom

Politics

Why Take Responsibility When You Can Blame Somebody Else?

The year’s highlights in buck passing feature petulant politicians, brazen bureaucrats, careless cops, loony lawyers, and junky journalists.

Jacob Sullum | 12.28.2022 12:01 AM

police-crime | Lex Villena

Police Abuse

Is a War on Policing Increasing Crime? Q&A With Rafael Mangual

In Criminal (In)Justice, the Manhattan Institute scholar argues that most reforms favored by social justice activists—and many libertarians—make life worse for communities of color.

Nick Gillespie | 10.5.2022 3:15 PM

police-crime | Lex Villein

George Floyd

Is a War on Policing Increasing Crime? Q&A with Rafael Mangual

In Criminal (In)Justice, the Manhattan Institute scholar argues that most reforms favored by social justice activists—and many libertarians—make life worse for communities of color.

Nick Gillespie | 10.5.2022 3:15 PM

Breonna Taylor | selfie

Criminal Justice

Judicial Rubber-Stamping of Search Warrants Can Be Deadly

Lethal drug raids in Louisville and Houston were based on fishy police affidavits that turned out to be fraudulent.

Jacob Sullum | 8.10.2022 12:01 AM

Breonna Taylor in her EMT outfit, in front of Louisville city logo | family photo

War on Drugs

Four Cops Implicated in Breonna Taylor's Death Now Face Federal Charges

So far no one has been held criminally liable for the disastrous drug raid, which was based on a flimsy and falsified search warrant affidavit.

Jacob Sullum | 8.4.2022 5:10 PM

Minnesota-AG-Keith-Ellison-Newscom | Leila Navidi/TNS/Newscom

Police

Minnesota's Attorney General Says the Cop Who Killed Amir Locke Was Defending Himself. So Was Locke.

That perplexing situation underlines the hazards of police tactics that aim to prevent violence but often have the opposite effect.

Jacob Sullum | 4.7.2022 4:00 PM

Brett-Hankison-Newscom-cropped | Louisville Police Department/Zuma Press/Newscom

Breonna Taylor

A Jury Concludes That Blindly Firing 10 Rounds Into Breonna Taylor's Apartment Was Not 'Wanton Endangerment'

Brett Hankison's acquittal shows how difficult it is to hold cops accountable for abusing their power.

Jacob Sullum | 3.4.2022 2:30 PM

zumaamericasthirtytwo512545 | John Lamparski/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom

Reason Roundup

No Cops Will Face Legal Consequences in Conjunction With Breonna Taylor Killing

Plus: Russians occupy Ukrainian nuclear plant, the results of misinformation bans, and more...

Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 3.4.2022 9:30 AM

Breonna-Taylor-sign-Newscom | John Arthur Brown/Zuma Press/Newscom

Police Abuse

Brett Hankison Is Not the Only Cop Who Acted Recklessly the Night Breonna Taylor Was Killed

The former detective's trial should not obscure the responsibility of the drug warriors who authorized, planned, and executed the deadly raid.

Jacob Sullum | 2.24.2022 3:10 PM

Amir-Locke-family-photo | courtesy of Benjamin Crump

Police

Amir Locke's Death Demonstrates the Recklessness of 'Dynamic Entry' Tactics

Banning "no-knock" search warrants is not enough to prevent lethal confrontations between cops and people exercising the right to armed self-defense.

Jacob Sullum | 2.16.2022 12:01 AM

zumaglobalten228667 | John Marshall Mantel/ZUMA Press/Newscom

Police

Police Reforms Make Progress Against Entrenched Opposition

Every time cops denounce reform efforts it is evidence of a win.

J.D. Tuccille | 7.26.2021 8:30 AM

dreamstime_l_76042410 | Fanatic Studio/Gary Waters/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/Newscom

Free Speech

Government Censorship Is the Worst Cancel Culture of All

Politicians on the right and the left are coming for your free speech.

Nick Gillespie | 3.19.2021 5:35 PM

Breonna-Taylor-protest-Louisville-9-28-21-Newscom-cropped | Amy Katz/Zuma Press/Newscom

First Amendment

The Kentucky Bill That Would Criminalize Words That Offend Cops Also Would Authorize Arrests for Distributing Water Bottles

The heavy-handed measure, a direct response to the protests provoked by the shooting of Breonna Taylor, looks like an attempt to deter constitutionally protected activity.

Jacob Sullum | 3.12.2021 12:05 PM

Breonna Taylor in her EMT outfit, in front of Louisville city logo | family photo

Breonna Taylor

2 More Cops Involved in Breonna Taylor's Death Receive Termination Letters

Louisville's police chief wants to fire an officer who shot Taylor and a detective who "lied" in the search warrant affidavit.

Jacob Sullum | 12.30.2020 2:30 PM

Barack Obama | Paul Hennessy/ZUMA Press/Newscom

Criminal Justice

Obama Knocks 'Defund the Police' Activists for Valuing 'Feel Good' Sloganeering Over Practical Reforms

Efforts to push for substantial police reforms many people would support instead became a political battlefield.

Scott Shackford | 12.2.2020 2:55 PM

Daniel-Cameron-Breonna-Taylor-press-conference | YouTube

Breonna Taylor

Freed To Speak, Grand Juror Says Charges in Breonna Taylor's Death Were Never Considered, Let Alone Rejected

Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron said "the grand jury agreed" that indicting the two officers who shot Taylor was inappropriate.

Jacob Sullum | 10.21.2020 1:20 PM

Breonna Taylor | selfie

Breonna Taylor

A Month Before Louisville Drug Warriors Killed Breonna Taylor, They Knew the 'Suspicious Packages' She Supposedly Was Receiving Came From Amazon

The detective who obtained the search warrant cited the deliveries to falsely implicate Taylor in drug trafficking.

Jacob Sullum | 10.9.2020 2:10 PM

dreamstime_xl_187258240 | Photo <a href="https://www.dreamstime.com/washington-d-c-usa-june-mural-painted-to-memorialize-breonna-taylor-direct-viewers-to-take-action-stand-bre-graffiti-image187258240">187258240</a> © <a href="https://www.dreamstime.com/stephaniemkenner_info">Stephanie Kenner</a> - <a href="https://www.dreamstime.com/photos-images/breonna-taylor-mural.html">Dreamstime.com</a>

2nd Amendment

The Police Tactics That Caused Breonna Taylor's Death Should Infuriate Second Amendment Advocates

Heavy-handed police raids are trampling on the basic rights of all Americans.

Steven Greenhut | 10.9.2020 8:00 AM

Breonna Taylor in her EMT outfit, in front of Louisville city logo | family photo

Breonna Taylor

Cop Who Fired 16 Rounds at Breonna Taylor Said He Only Surmised That He Had Used His Gun

Drug warriors gratuitously created the chaotic situation that state prosecutors say justified the use of deadly force.

Jacob Sullum | 10.5.2020 3:50 PM

sipaphotoseleven074310 | Stephen Zenner / SOPA Images/Sip/Newscom

Reason Roundup

Juror in Breonna Taylor Case Sues for Right To Reveal What Really Happened in Court

Plus: Presidential candidates take the stage tonight, the most-banned books of the last decade, and more...

Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 9.29.2020 9:39 AM

Breonna Taylor | selfie

Breonna Taylor

The Legal Response to Breonna Taylor's Death Shows How Drug Prohibition Transforms Murder Into Self-Defense

The hail of bullets that killed her can be justified only in a country that uses violence to enforce politicians' pharmacological prejudices.

Jacob Sullum | 9.24.2020 2:55 PM

Breonna Taylor in her EMT outfit, in front of Louisville city logo | family photo

Breonna Taylor

Grand Jury Charges 1 Louisville Police Officer Involved in Breonna Taylor Shooting With 'Wanton Endangerment'

The charges are not for killing Taylor, but rather endangering her neighbors with wild shots.

C.J. Ciaramella | 9.23.2020 2:29 PM

Breonna Taylor in her EMT outfit, in front of Louisville city logo | family photo

Breonna Taylor

Louisville Will Pay $12 Million to Settle Lawsuit by Breonna Taylor's Family

The agreement also includes several reforms aimed at preventing reckless drug raids based on dubious evidence.

Jacob Sullum | 9.15.2020 5:45 PM

spnphotosnine964760(1) | Rick Davis / SplashNews/Newscom

Reason Roundup

Kentucky Authorities Offered Leniency to Breonna Taylor's Ex if He Would Implicate Her in Drug Crimes

Plus: Biden asks America: "Do I look like a radical socialist with a soft spot for rioters? Really?"

Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 9.1.2020 10:00 AM

Screen Shot 2020-08-28 at 10.55.26 AM | Screenshot via Twitter

Rand Paul

Protesters Tell Rand Paul, Who Wrote the Justice for Breonna Taylor Act, To Say Breonna Taylor's Name

Screaming "say her name" at the senator who sponsored a police accountability act named for Breonna Taylor

Robby Soave | 8.28.2020 11:08 AM

Louisville-pot-raid-10-26-18 | LMPD

Breonna Taylor

More Than a Year Before Breonna Taylor's Death, Some of the Same Cops Were Involved in Another Home Invasion Based on Dubious Evidence

The overlap suggests a pattern of shoddy investigation and reckless paramilitary tactics in Louisville.

Jacob Sullum | 8.27.2020 1:25 PM

NFAC-in-Louisville-7-26-20 | Leslie Spurlock/Zuma Press/Newscom

2nd Amendment

The Second Amendment Is Not Restricted to White Conservatives

An encounter between militias in Louisville shows the enduring practical and symbolic importance of the right to armed self-defense.

Jacob Sullum | 7.29.2020 12:01 AM

Breonna Taylor in her EMT outfit, in front of Louisville city logo | family photo

Breonna Taylor

Breonna Taylor and the Moral Bankruptcy of Drug Prohibition

She would still be alive if politicians did not insist on using violence to enforce their pharmacological prejudices.

Jacob Sullum | 6.24.2020 12:01 AM

Breonna-Taylor-mural-Newscom | Gabriele Holtermann-Gorden/Sipa/Newscom

Breonna Taylor

Was the Search Warrant for the Drug Raid That Killed Breonna Taylor Illegal?

The information in the no-knock warrant application was based purely on guilt by association.

Jacob Sullum | 6.21.2020 6:00 PM

Breonna Taylor in her EMT outfit, in front of Louisville city logo | family photo

Breonna Taylor

Louisville Moves to Fire Police Officer Involved in Breonna Taylor Shooting

The department says the officer "displayed an extreme indifference to the value of human life" when he "blindly fired 10 rounds" into Taylor's apartment.

C.J. Ciaramella | 6.19.2020 2:01 PM

libbyschaaf | Libby Schaaf, Twitter

Racism

Oakland 'Nooses' Turn Out To Be Exercise Swings; Mayor Wants To Investigate Them As a Hate Crime Anyway

A white mayor is pursuing a racially fraught investigation of a black man for hanging exercise straps in a park. What could go wrong?

Nick Gillespie | 6.19.2020 11:35 AM

breonna | @arielsinhaha_ @nemesomi

Reason Roundup

Activists Demand Justice for Breonna Taylor, Whose Killers Are Still Employed as Louisville Cops

Plus: lightning strikes D.C., Buffalo cops suspended after knocking 75-year-old man to ground, and more...

Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 6.5.2020 10:00 AM

iosphotos211388 | Image of Sport/Newscom

Police Abuse

It's Time To Bust Police Unions

Over and over again, unions have defended bad policing and bad police. It’s time for them to go.

Peter Suderman | 6.3.2020 12:19 PM

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