Here Is Why Trump's Lawyers Say His Post-Election Conduct Was Constitutionally Protected
When he alleged fraud and sought help from government officials, they say, Trump was exercising rights guaranteed by the First Amendment.
Conspiracy Theories
Have We Lost Track of the Trump Indictments Yet?
Plus: Why don't journalists support free speech anymore?
Trump's Prosecution Could Be Stymied by the Blurry Line Between Deceit and Self-Delusion
His state of mind when he tried to overturn the outcome of the 2020 election remains a mystery, perhaps even to him.
Did Trump Really Believe the Election Was Stolen? Here Is Why It Matters.
The new federal charges against Trump depend on the assumption that his claims were "knowingly false."
Giuliani Admits His Oft-Told Tale of Georgia Election Fraud Was Not True
Unlike calling Trump's stolen-election fantasy "the Big Lie," his lawyer's statements were demonstrably false assertions of fact.
Should Donald Trump and Hunter Biden Both Be Prosecuted?
Plus: A listener question concerning drug decriminalization and social well-being
2 Reasons It's Not Clear That Trump 'Corruptly' Obstructed an Official Proceeding
Appeals in the January 6 cases raise serious questions about how broadly the statute should be applied.
Here Is Why Trump's 'Contingent' Electors Say They Did Nothing Illegal
Republicans who participated in the scheme say they relied on legal advice grounded in historical precedent.
Does Trump's 'Alternate' Electors Plan Justify Criminal Charges Against Them and Him?
The alleged state and federal felonies involve intent elements that may be difficult to prove.
Tucker Carlson Lends Credence to the Stolen-Election Story He Dismissed As a Lie
Eager for the adulation of Trump supporters, the former Fox News host suggests that rigged election software delivered a phony victory to Joe Biden.
A Grand Jury Considers the Question of Whether Trump Sincerely Believed He Won Reelection
That issue is central to Special Counsel Jack Smith's investigation of the former president's response to Joe Biden's victory.
Why Are So Many Libertarians Suddenly Fond of RFK Jr.?
The anti-vax environmental lawyer is not worthy of the rehabilitation tour he's getting from pundits and podcasters.
Momfluencer Sentenced to 90 Days in Jail Over False Kidnapping Report
"Nobody is abducting 1- and 4-year-old kids into sex trafficking," says the director of the Crimes Against Children Research Center.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: COVID, Ukraine, Bitcoin, Guns, Free Speech, and More
The environmentalist and anti-vaccine activist talks about his presidential run and whether he'd jail climate change skeptics.
Is TikTok Really To Blame for Titanic Conspiracy Theories?
The New York Times tries to blame social media for conspiracy theories that have been around for decades. Don't fall for it.
Don't Shame the OceanGate Crew for Taking Huge Risks
But don't expect taxpayers to rescue adventurers when they fail, either.
The Federal Case Against Trump Is 'Very Strong,' His Former Attorney General Says
By taking records that did not belong to him and refusing to return them, William Barr says, Trump "provoked this whole problem himself."
How Pat Robertson Shepherded His Flock Into Politics
Farewell to the senator's son who pioneered a TV genre, helped create the Christian right, ran for president, and earned the grudging respect of Abbie Hoffman
Banging Our Heads on the Debt Ceiling
Plus: A listener question cross-examines prior Reason Roundtable discussions surrounding immigration, economic growth, and birthrates.
Stewart Rhodes Gets 18 Years After the DOJ Reiterates a Conspiracy Claim That Jurors Rejected
It remains unclear whether the Oath Keepers leader had a specific plan to violently disrupt the electoral vote count on January 6.
For $6.5 Million, Durham Report Finds FBI Didn't Have Solid Dirt on Trump and Russia
Plus: Reexamining the roots of qualified immunity, who's really hurt by business regulations, and more...
Trump Hopes His Own Delusions Will Protect Him From Criminal Charges
The former president says he did not solicit election fraud; he merely tried to correct a "rigged" election. And he says he did not illegally retain government records, because they were his property.
'Cash Is Independence': Ron DeSantis Slams the Government's Plan for Centrally-Controlled Digital Money
"If you don't trust central authority, then you should see this immediately as something that is very problematic," says the Florida governor.
Do These Seditious Conspiracy Convictions Prove the Capitol Riot 'Was Not Spontaneous'?
A jury convicted members of the Proud Boys without evidence of an explicit plot, let alone one that most of the rioters were trying to execute.
The Very Strange New Respect for Authoritarian Democrat Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
The enemy of your enemy is not your friend; he's a guy who might want to throw you in jail.
What Does Tucker Carlson's Sudden Schism With Fox News Mean?
Plus: Should committed libertarians be opposed to pro-natalist policies?
The Fox/Dominion Settlement Highlights the Importance of Discovery in Proving 'Actual Malice'
Critics argue that excessively strict pleading standards prevent plaintiffs with meritorious defamation claims from obtaining the evidence they need to support them.
In a $788 Million Defamation Settlement, Fox News Admits That It Spread False Claims About Election Fraud
"The truth matters," says Dominion Voting Systems, and "lies have consequences."
Fox News Starts Its Dominion Defamation Trial With Several Strikes Against It
Pretrial rulings recognized the falsity of the election-fraud claims that the outlet aired and rejected three of its defenses.
This Just In: Conspiracy Theorists Not Quite as Kooky as Previously Reported
Greetings from the second International Conspiracy Theory Symposium, where one of the most cited findings in the field has been debunked.
Censured for 'Misrepresentations' About a 'Stolen' Election, a Former Trump Lawyer Insists She Never Lied
Jenna Ellis admitted that she made 10 false claims while representing the former president and his campaign.
Tucker Carlson Describes the Capitol Riot as 'Mostly Peaceful Chaos.' Is He Wrong?
Video footage and arrest data indicate that most of the Trump supporters who invaded the building did not commit violent crimes.
Conservatives Who Want To Weaken Defamation Standards May Regret Opening That Can of Worms
Contrary to the Supreme Court's First Amendment precedents, Donald Trump thinks harsh criticism of the president should be actionable.
Fox's Excuses Reinforce Dominion's Defamation Case
Although Rupert Murdoch admits that Lou Dobbs and other hosts "endorsed" the "stolen election" narrative, Fox's lawyers insist that is not true.
U.S. Energy Department Endorses Lab Leak Theory of COVID-19's Origins
The push to label the lab leak thesis a racist conspiracy theory now looks even more foolish.
Lou Dobbs Is the Main Obstacle to Fox's Defamation Defense
The Fox Business host stood out as a champion of the baroque conspiracy theory that implicated Dominion Voting Systems in election fraud.
Rupert Murdoch Called Trump's Stolen-Election Fantasy 'Really Crazy Stuff.' Fox News Promoted It Anyway.
Hosts and producers privately called Trump lawyer Sidney Powell's claims "complete bs," "insane," and "unbelievably offensive."
Ohio Train Derailment Is Another Excuse for Mudslinging and Conspiracy Theorizing
Plus: Did the Pentagon shoot down a hobby radio balloon?, Kentucky abortion ban can be enforced, and more...
Did 'Every Conspiracy Theory' About Twitter Turn Out To Be True?
The internal company documents offer a behind-the-scenes glimpse at how the federal agencies distorted the public debate on one of the world's largest social media platforms.
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.
Don't Count on Criminal Prosecution To Hold Trump Accountable for His Egregious Post-Election Behavior
The final report from the January 6 select committee falls short of proving the elements required to convict the former president.
It's Way Past Time To Release the Rest of the JFK Assassination Files
Joe Biden just declassified another batch, but the government is still keeping some under wraps.
Turning 'Saving Democracy' Into a Campaign Slogan Isn't Helping Save Democracy
Biden's planned address on Wednesday night will call out "those who deny the documented truth about election results and those who seek to undermine public faith in our system of government."
What Message Are Prosecutors Sending by Charging Paul Pelosi's Attacker With 8 State and Federal Felonies?
In addition to six state charges, David DePape faces two federal charges, each punishable by decades in prison.
The Paul Pelosi Conspiracy Theories Are an Embarrassment for the Right
The House Speaker's husband was attacked by a crazy home intruder. Why is Donald Trump pretending otherwise?
