U.S. Constitution News
The Daily Signal provides reporting and analysis on the U.S. Constitution, including court rulings, separation of powers, and the defense of individual rights.
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Amy Acton ‘Domestic Dispute’ Report Stirring Up Ohio Governor’s Race
A recent report that police were called to the home of gubernatorial candidate Amy Acton during a 2019 “domestic dispute” is raising questions as the election race heats up in Ohio. Over the weekend, NBC News reported that Ohio’s former health director shattered a mirror pulled off the wall during a “verbal argument” with her…Rebecca Downs -
As States Hint Resistance to SCOTUS Ruling on Gender Counseling, What’s Next for Free Speech?
Even after a decisive Supreme Court ruling on free speech in gender counseling, more such cases could be on the way as state and local governments across the country have bans of some sort on reparative therapy. The Supreme Court recently ruled 8-1 against Colorado’s law that required counseling to conform to gender ideology. Some…Fred Lucas -
Justices Hear Potential Landmark Case on Birthright Citizenship
Some conservative-leaning justices had hard questions for Solicitor General John Sauer on Wednesday when he argued to reverse nearly 130 years of precedent on birthright citizenship, as President Donald Trump was in attendance. The case involves Trump’s executive order instructing agencies not to recognize citizenship for U.S.-born children without at least one parent who is…Fred Lucas -
Judge Finds Cutting Taxpayer Funding From NPR and PBS Violates First Amendment
A judge on Tuesday blocked the Trump administration from ending taxpayer funding of National Public Radio and the Public Broadcasting Service. U.S. District Judge Randolph Moss of the District of Columbia determined President Donald Trump’s executive order stopping funding was not lawful because the First Amendment “does not tolerate viewpoint discrimination and retaliation of this…Fred Lucas -
First Grader’s ‘Any Life’ Message Sparks Major First Amendment Ruling
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of an elementary school student’s First Amendment rights after she was punished for adding the words “any life” to a picture of “Black Lives Matter.” The student, with the initials B.B., said she added the message while in first grade in 2021, inspired by a…Fred Lucas -
Why Chinese Communist Media Is Touting the US Constitution
The Chinese Communist Party oddly found a reason to promote the U.S. Constitution, or at least an interpretation of it, journalist and author Peter Schweizer noted before a Senate panel Tuesday. At a hearing on birthright citizenship, Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., asked Schweizer if the Chinese government promotes exploiting the concept. “They have run articles…Fred Lucas -
United States v. Hemani: SCOTUS to Hear Arguments in Important Second Amendment Case
As the Supreme Court returns to hearing oral arguments this week, it will take up a technical—yet consequential—criminal law case. In United States v. Hemani, the justices will consider whether 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(3), which bars anyone “who is an unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance” from “possess[ing] … any firearm or…Zack Smith -
Civics Crisis? New Presidential 1776 Scholarship Challenges Students to Know the Constitution
The American education system currently deserves an “F” for its failures to teach even the basics on the American government and how it functions. This was demonstrated in embarrassing fashion this month when an anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement sheriff in North Carolina testified before the state Legislature proved he didn’t know which branch of government he worked under, nor even the names of the three branches. …Katherine Matt -
Never Let Leftists Say They Are the First Amendment Stalwarts
The leftist media cabal constantly imagines itself as the grand embodiment of democracy and freedom of speech, even as it seeks to put Republicans in jail and hopes to censor them from speaking on social media. It doesn’t live up to its First Amendment boasting. For example, there’s “CNN International” host Christiane Amanpour, whose leftist…Tim Graham -
As America Turns 250, Volunteers Fight Cynicism With Constitution Education
A Florida group seeking to boost youth knowledge of the U.S. Constitution is marking its 10th anniversary on the same year that America turns 250 years old. The U.S. Constitution Scholarship Foundation, a nonprofit educational and scholarship organization promoting understanding of the Constitution, was founded in 2016 to provide classes and offer scholarships and awards…Fred Lucas -
US Supreme Court to Hear Second Amendment Case Tuesday
THE CENTER SQUARE—The U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on Tuesday in a case over whether states can prevent concealed carry holders on private property that is open to the public. Wolford v. Lopez challenges a Hawaii law that prevents concealed carry permit holders from bringing handguns to beaches, bars, restaurants that serve alcohol…Andrew Rice -
The Left Doesn’t Believe in the Constitutional Order
During oral arguments in Trump v. Slaughter, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor threatened America with a good time, warning that the administration is “asking us to destroy the structure of government.” Great. It’s about time an unaccountable fourth branch of the state was decimated. Trump v. Slaughter revolves around the president’s ability to fire executive…David Harsanyi -
The Melting Pot Is Boiling Over
In one sense, the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are the foundation of the country’s government. The Declaration laid out the principles we aspire toward. The Constitution established the three branches of government. It contains many brilliant mechanisms to check the government’s power. The Bill of Rights offers another layer of protection. But mere…Victor Joecks -
Defensive Uses of Guns Last Month Show Mexican Government’s Folly
Last week, in a unanimous opinion in a case called Smith & Wesson v. Estados Unidos Mexicanos, the Supreme Court tossed out a lawsuit filed by the Mexican government against seven major U.S. gun manufacturers, seeking to hold them civilly liable for billions of dollars in damages stemming from gun violence committed in Mexico with…Amy Swearer -
So-Called Maryland Father Indicted for Smuggling Children, Guns, and Drugs
A federal grand jury in Nashville has issued a searing criminal indictment of Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, the El Salvadoran in the U.S. illegally whom Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., referred to as “his constituent” and a “Maryland father.” Garcia may be a Maryland constituent, but he won’t win any Father of the Year…Hans von Spakovsky -
The Myth of Mexico’s ‘American Gun Problem’
This week, the Supreme Court tossed out the Mexican government’s lawsuit against seven major U.S. gun manufacturers, holding that a federal statute called the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act barred Mexico from filing the lawsuit in the first place. In the suit in question, Mexico alleged the gun companies were civilly liable for…Amy Swearer -
Free Speech Is on Life Support in the UK
Every day that goes by brings more confirmation that Vice President JD Vance was right: Europe has a massive free speech problem. And nowhere is it seemingly worse than the U.K. According to a report from Fox News, a 71-year-old retired special constable from Kent, England, sued the Kent Police (who he’d served for more than a…Jarrett Stepman -
Court Documents Claim Student Who Led Pro-Palestine Protests Admitted to Building Guns to ‘Kill Jews’
Court documents claim that a leader of pro-Palestine protests at Columbia University once told a gun shop owner he had built guns to “kill Jews.” Immigration officials arrested Mohsen Mahdawi in April as the Trump administration continues to crack down on antisemitism and terrorist sympathizers who can be seen as a threat to U.S….Virginia Allen -
Texas House Considering Changes in Law Protecting Free Speech
Texas lawmakers are considering a bill that critics say would threaten freedom of speech with frivolous lawsuits, by altering the state’s so-called anti-SLAPP law. The Texas House Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence Committee heard testimony late Wednesday evening from numerous witnesses on House Bill 2988 that would make changes to the state’s anti-SLAPP law, by allowing…Fred Lucas -
11 Defensive Gun Use Cases in March That Kept Citizens from Becoming Victims
Just before Easter weekend, a 20-year-old student opened fire inside Florida State University’s student union, killing two and wounding six others before being shot and apprehended by law enforcement officers. Recent reports suggest that the suspect suffered from significant childhood trauma related to his parents’ divorce and custody battles, and many of his classmates had…Amy Swearer