First Amendment

  • The Pentagon Papers Case: How the U.S. Government Tried—and Failed—to Silence the Press

    In the summer of 1971, the United States Supreme Court delivered a landmark ruling that would forever reshape the relationship between the press and the federal government. The case, New York Times Co. v. United States, better known as the Pentagon Papers case, tested the limits of the First Amendment and government power. At the…

  • New U.S. Visa Rule Requires Students And Exchange Visitors To Make Social Media Public For Scrutiny

    In a significant policy shift, the U.S. Department of State has implemented new security screening procedures for all F, M, and J visa applicants, mandating that foreign students and exchange visitors must make their social media accounts public as part of the visa application process. The policy, effective June 25, 2025, applies to individuals seeking…

  • Judge Dismisses R. Kelly’s Lawsuit Against Blogger Tasha K Over Alleged Prison Record Leak

    A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by incarcerated R\&B singer R. Kelly against controversial blogger and social media personality Tasha K, marking another legal defeat for the embattled musician as he continues serving a 31-year prison sentence for sex crimes. Kelly—whose legal name is Robert Sylvester Kelly—alleged that Tasha K improperly obtained and…

  • Federal Judge Strikes Down Trump Executive Order Targeting WilmerHale: ‘Unconstitutional in Its Entirety’

    In a forceful and highly animated 73-page opinion, U.S. District Judge Richard J. Leon has struck down a recent executive order signed by President Donald Trump targeting the Los Angeles-based law firm WilmerHale, declaring it unconstitutional “in its entirety.” Judge Leon, a George W. Bush appointee, rebuked Trump’s March 27 executive action titled “Addressing Risks…

  • Trump Administration Halts New Student Visa Interviews Amid Escalating Higher Ed Crackdown

    In a sweeping escalation of the Trump administration’s ongoing clash with U.S. higher education institutions, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has ordered U.S. embassies worldwide to pause scheduling new student visa interviews pending expanded social media screening requirements. The directive, communicated through a diplomatic cable Tuesday, has sparked legal and academic alarm over its potential…

  • NPR and Local Radio Stations Sue Trump Administration Over Executive Order Defunding Public Media

    National Public Radio (NPR) and three public radio stations based in Colorado have filed a federal lawsuit challenging a recent executive order by President Donald Trump that seeks to terminate federal funding for NPR and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). The plaintiffs claim the order constitutes a direct assault on First Amendment protections and Congressional…

  • Four High-Profile Litigators Leave Powerhouse Law Firm Paul Weiss – And Trump Is To Blame

    Four high-profile litigators are departing powerhouse law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, just weeks after the firm finalized a controversial settlement with the Trump administration over its past legal work. The exits mark a significant shift in the firm’s litigation bench and may signal broader tensions within elite law firms navigating political…

  • Federal Judge Permanently Blocks Trump Executive Order Targeting Law Firm

    A U.S. federal court on Friday, May 23, issued a permanent injunction against an executive order issued by President Donald Trump that targeted the prominent law firm Jenner & Block LLP, ruling that the order violated the First Amendment by engaging in viewpoint discrimination. Judge John D. Bates of the U.S. District Court for the…

  • Trump’s Decision To Block Harvard From Admitting International Students Raises Concerns

    The Trump administration’s recent decision to revoke Harvard University’s certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) marks a significant legal flashpoint. That singular decision could reshape the boundaries between federal immigration enforcement, academic freedom, and constitutional protections for U.S. institutions. This commentary unpacks the legal framework, examines due process concerns, and analyzes the…

  • Trump Suffers Another Setback! Judge Rules His Order Against Law Firm Perkins Coie Unconstitutional

    Former President Donald J. Trump suffered a major legal defeat Friday after U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell struck down his Executive Order 14230, which had imposed sweeping federal sanctions against the prominent law firm Perkins Coie LLP. The court ruled that the order was an unconstitutional abuse of executive authority and a retaliatory attack on…