All articles tagged with #free speech
The Supreme Court reversed a Fourth Circuit ruling, saying the lower court overstepped by letting the immigration-judges’ free-speech lawsuit proceed, and sent the case back to federal courts on venue grounds. The decision is procedural and does not address the merits, occurring amid broader political pressure on immigration judges.
The Supreme Court ruled for the Trump administration in a dispute over restrictions on immigration judges’ public remarks, upholding government-imposed limits on what judges can say outside the courtroom and signaling tighter control of commentary that could influence immigration proceedings and public trust in the judiciary.
Former FBI general counsel Andrew Weissmann argues politicians should be held legally accountable for lies that damage democracy and advocates a Truth in Elections Act to curb election deceit, saying sweeping structural reforms are needed beyond returning to old norms and pointing to international examples; he discusses free-speech concerns, his book Liar’s Kingdom, and the role of courts as venues where truth can be tested even as he notes the personal pushback he has faced from Trump and his allies.
The piece recounts Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff backing his car into two students after a protest; video evidence contradicts his account and the board’s response blames the students. It uses the incident to critique how university governance—dominated by business-minded trustees—often silences student voices and curtails free expression, arguing for a stakeholder model that rebalances power toward students and faculty.
A federal judge dismissed all charges against the Broadview Six after the DOJ admitted prosecutorial misconduct—vouching to grand jurors, altering grand jury composition, and undisclosed communications—leading to a sharp rebuke of prosecutors; the ruling underscores concerns about First Amendment rights and the DOJ’s power, and discusses potential compensation avenues via a Trump‑funded “weaponization” slush fund.
A retired Tennessee law enforcement officer, Larry Bushart, settled a federal wrongful incarceration lawsuit for $835,000 after being jailed for 37 days over a Facebook meme about Charlie Kirk; the charges were dropped once he couldn’t pay a $2 million bond. The settlement, funded by the county’s insurer, does not acknowledge wrongdoing and highlights First Amendment protections in the context of social media expression.
Denver Post editors argue Gov. Polis was right to reduce Tina Peters's 9-year election-interference sentence to time served, emphasizing the importance of upholding free speech under the First Amendment even when Peters promoted debunked election conspiracies; while Peters' courtroom behavior and charges are noted, the piece contends clemency balances justice with constitutional rights and avoids letting politics overshadow fundamental freedoms.
Cornell's Ad Hoc Special Committee completed its review of the April 30 incident involving President Kotlikoff, confirming CUPD's investigation was unbiased, noting no criminal charges were warranted by the Tompkins County DA and that Kotlikoff chose not to pursue a student complaint; appropriate action was taken against non-students; the university reaffirms that expressive activity must be peaceful and within the law, emphasizing civil debate and responsible leadership during campus discourse.
A 78-year-old retired pastor, Clive Johnston, was convicted of breaching a 100-meter safe access zone outside Causeway Hospital in Coleraine by preaching a sermon, and fined £450. Supporters say the ruling threatens religious liberty and free speech amid abortion buffer zones, while Johnston vows to appeal as international observers voice concerns about censorship in the UK.
A cohort of Senate Democrats led by Sen. Ed Markey demands FCC Chair Brendan Carr rescind his order to review Disney’s eight ABC TV licenses, framing the move as presidential retribution for editorial decisions and a potential trigger for aggressive FCC oversight if Democrats seize the Senate. Carr argues the licensing action follows a year-long probe into Disney’s DEI practices, while Republicans and Disney’s supporters call the action unprecedented and politically motivated. The Democrats request a detailed legal rationale and any White House contact about the early review, signaling intensified scrutiny of the FCC’s licensing powers.
Rutgers University canceled alumnus Rami Elghandour's planned convocation address at the School of Engineering after officials cited an April social-media post accusing Israel of genocide and other inflammatory claims, saying the move was to maintain a celebratory environment. Elghandour and supporters call it viewpoint discrimination against his Palestinian advocacy; he says he will record and share his address. CAIR-NJ condemned the decision as a restriction on free expression on campus.
Georgetown Law canceled Morton Schapiro’s commencement invitation following student pushback over his Israel/Palestine commentary and replaced him with David Cole, a Georgetown Law professor and former ACLU legal director who has criticized campus antisemitism hearings as McCarthyism and defended First Amendment rights.
Rutgers University canceled the commencement address of student Rami Elghandour after he criticized Israel, a decision that has sparked debate over free speech and campus politics.
A Virginia prosecutor will not charge Arlington activist Barbara Wien with state crimes for distributing flyers containing Stephen Miller’s home address during protests, finding no probable cause under Virginia’s law against using someone’s identity or address to coerce or harass and noting the flyer did not call for action at Miller’s residence. The decision, in a 166-page filing, says Wien’s actions are protected political speech. Wien remains under federal investigation with no charges yet, and prosecutors have sought to limit data sharing and destruction of records connected to the case.
Surveillance footage shows Cornell University president Michael Kotlikoff reversing his SUV as students surrounded his car after an Israel-Palestine debate; a group claims two students were injured, while Kotlikoff says he was accosted and used the vehicle’s safety features to disengage, with one student shown being hit in the clip. The incident underscores ongoing campus speech tensions amid broader debates about funding and governance at the Ivy League school.