Libertarian Reporting for 2026-05-13
Today’s news coverage from libertarian media sources.
How the ACLU Started Defending the Second Amendment
The civil liberties group, which long maintained that there is no constitutional right to arms, is singing a different tune at the Supreme Court.
Reason.com
May 12, 2026 - reason.com
How a Probable Situation Room Leak Made Someone $580 Million in 60 Seconds
The U.S. government is waging an illegal, congressionally unauthorized war on Iran. Thirteen American soldiers are confirmed dead at the time of writing. More than 200 have been wounded. Over $72 bill...
The Libertarian Institute
May 12, 2026 - libertarianinstitute.org
A U.S. Citizen Is Suing ICE for Arresting Him Twice. He Just Got Arrested a Third Time.
Leo Garcia Venegas and the Institute for Justice are suing to block immigration raids on private construction sites that target Latinos.
Reason.com
May 12, 2026 - reason.com
Does Xi Need Trump?
Plus: California gas prices, monkey thieves, and more...
Reason.com
May 12, 2026 - reason.com
Deputizing banks for citizenship verification could halt America’s financial greatness
A few weeks after he was confirmed as Treasury secretary last year, Scott Bessent delivered a message to the American Bankers Association that regulatory relief was coming, especially for small and mi...
Blog Posts Archive - Competitive Enterprise Institute
May 12, 2026 - cei.org
Congress' Energy Crisis Solution: Bring Back an Office That Funded Women's Empowerment Initiatives Overseas
Instead of holding the president accountable, lawmakers are trying novel ways to reduce energy prices caused by Trump’s war in Iran.
Reason.com
May 12, 2026 - reason.com
Even Dictatorships Don't Fight Wars This Way
The American public never got a satisfying explanation for why Trump attacked Iran in the first place.
Reason.com
May 12, 2026 - reason.com
Some Links
TweetDavid Henderson’s new biographical essay on Anne Krueger is now up at the Concise Encyclopedia of Economics. Two slices: Possibly Krueger’s most important contribution to economics is her June 19...
Cafe Hayek
May 12, 2026 - cafehayek.com
An Excess of Democrophilia
Shadi Hamid’s newest book is a prime example of what is wrong with progressive critiques of American power.
Law & Liberty
May 12, 2026 - lawliberty.org
The Need for Prick-Proof Housing Laws
Plus: the damage done by inclusionary zoning, total YIMBY victory at California gubernatorial forum, and Trump's reversion of build-to-rent
Reason.com
May 12, 2026 - reason.com
Clarence Thomas Sets a New SCOTUS Record
Plus: A "supremely cringe" viral tweet about the Supreme Court
Reason.com
May 12, 2026 - reason.com
SPLC’s attack of federal indictment falls flat
Chris Bray writes for the Federalist about a left-wing group’s questionable legal strategy. Charged with federal crimes for allegedly making false statements to banks and making wire transfers in the ...
John Locke Foundation
May 12, 2026 - johnlocke.org
Central Bank Independence: How to preserve monetary policy from fiscal irresponsibility
Image citation: The following image has been generated by AI Central bank independence has become one of the basic benchmarks of any liberal democracy today. The notion of separating decisions on mone...
Blog - Students For Liberty
May 12, 2026 - studentsforliberty.org
Adam Smith’s Legacy in Alberdi’s Argentina
The decades after Argentina’s founding are a testament to the promise of Smithian economic and political thought.
Law & Liberty
May 12, 2026 - lawliberty.org
The War Comes for Your Wallet: Inflation Hits 3.8%, Highest Level in 3 Years
Prices are now rising faster than wages, just like during much of the Biden years. The war in Iran is largely to blame.
Reason.com
May 12, 2026 - reason.com
The NCAA Is Making Unpopular Decisions at Exactly the Wrong Time
With March Madness expansion and a possible College Football Playoff expansion, the NCAA is ignoring fans right when its popularity matters most in Congress.
Reason.com
May 12, 2026 - reason.com
The Kyle Anzalone Show with Richard Medhurst: Trump Turned the American Empire Into a Pirate State
A journalist can be jailed, raided, and investigated for more than a year without ever being charged and that’s not a glitch, it’s the point. I sit down with investigative journalist Richard Medhurst ...
The Libertarian Institute
May 12, 2026 - libertarianinstitute.org
Larry Johnson: The Ceasefire Is Collapsing as Chaos Breaks Out in Strait of Hormuz
One bad assumption can start a bigger war, and nowhere is that clearer than the Strait of Hormuz. Kyle sits down with Larry Johnson to sort through the morning’s flood of claims and counterclaims: rep...
The Libertarian Institute
May 12, 2026 - libertarianinstitute.org
Harris worse than Hillary in tight competition
Andrew Stiles writes for the Washington Free Beacon about a competition no one should want to win. It’s one of the fiercest debates in politics these days: Who is the worst American politician of the ...
John Locke Foundation
May 12, 2026 - johnlocke.org
Lawsuit Against UW Social Work School Over Retaliation for Allegedly Anti-Trans Essay Can Go Forward
According to plaintiff, “[Prof.] Harner believed Plaintiff’s planned zine project [class assignment] was on ‘the issue of ‘trans’ people sexually assaulting others in prison,’ a topic Harner found ‘so...
Reason.com
May 12, 2026 - reason.com
No First Amendment Violation in Ohio Closing DEI-Related Offices and Committees
From Rice v. Schell, decided two weeks ago by Judge Matthew McFarland (S.D. Ohio), but just posted on Westlaw a… The post No First Amendment Violation in Ohio Closing DEI-Related Offices and Committee...
Reason.com
May 12, 2026 - reason.com
Red states target Islamist influence on lawmaking
Amanda Head writes for JustTheNews.com about an interesting development in Republican-governed states. As President Donald Trump’s second term produces immigration policies, deportations and cultural ...
John Locke Foundation
May 12, 2026 - johnlocke.org
National Review seeks end to racial bias in admissions
Editors at National Review Online scrutinize efforts to take race out of American college admissions. Conservatives have long suspected that university admissions policies were violating civil rights ...
John Locke Foundation
May 12, 2026 - johnlocke.org
Britain and the End of the Illusion of Plenty
There is a tendency among modern people to believe that civilisation is self-sustaining. Food appears in supermarkets. Fuel appears at petrol stations. Electricity comes from sockets. Water comes from...
The Libertarian Alliance
May 12, 2026 - libertarianism.uk
Brickbat: What Is Crime?
An internal investigation of the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police Department found that at least 15 high-ranking officials may have helped… The post Brickbat: What Is Crime? appeared first on Rea...
Reason.com
May 12, 2026 - reason.com
Marjorie Taylor Greene: ‘MAGA Is Dead. Where Do We Go From Here?’
Marjorie Taylor Greene was elected three times to Congress from Georgia as a loyal supporter of Donald Trump. She resigned in on January 5, 2026 over major disagreements with Trump over his wars and...
Antiwar.com Blog
May 12, 2026 - antiwar.com
Defense Industrial Base Boost in Eye-Watering $1.5T Budget Ask
Past administrations have talked about the defense industrial base, but few have put money where the talk is. President Donald Trump’s FY2027 $1.5 trillion War Department budget request does that.
Main Feed
May 12, 2026 - libertynation.com
Gavin Newsom Accused of Corruption Over $20M Diaper Deal
California Gov. Gavin Newsom is facing yet another scandal - this time involving alleged corruption tied to $20 million in taxpayer money.
Main Feed
May 12, 2026 - libertynation.com
The EU Slow Walks, Loses a Deal and US Troops
President Trump hits European Union-made automobiles with a 25% tariff, after the EU stalled the deal he offered it in July. But, the head of the European Parliament’s trade committee called the US an...
Main Feed
May 12, 2026 - libertynation.com
Today in Supreme Court History: May 12, 1790
5/12/1790: Justice James Iredell takes the judicial oath. The post Today in Supreme Court History: May 12, 1790 appeared first on Reason.com.
Reason.com
May 12, 2026 - reason.com
'Boneless Wings' Aren't Really Wings. Is That Fraud?
"Our boneless wings are all white meat chicken....Our buffalo wings are 0% buffalo," Buffalo Wild Wings quipped.
Reason.com
May 12, 2026 - reason.com
Omar’s name linked closely to COVID-era fraud scheme
Jim Hoft writes for the Gateway Pundit about bad news for a member of the congressional “Squad.” Fresh court exhibits from the massive $250 MILLION Feeding Our Future fraud trial have revealed that Re...
John Locke Foundation
May 12, 2026 - johnlocke.org
Deluded wowsers
It's time to laugh at the Aussies again. The article is here. The delusion and hubris is strong in this one. Australia hasn't beaten tobacco. Tobacco is beating Australia. It has unleashed a crime wa...
Velvet Glove, Iron Fist
May 12, 2026 - velvetgloveironfist.blogspot.com
China, Brazil, and the Eighth Theorem of Government
I have a four-part series (see here, here, here, and here) explaining why all good and decent people should focus on reducing poverty rather than fighting inequality. Those four columns are, for all i...
International Liberty
May 12, 2026 - danieljmitchell.wordpress.com
The week in regulations: Fluid milk options and battleship safety zones
The Court of International Trade struck down President Trump’s Section 122 tariffs. The labor force shrank by 92,000 people over the last year. Agencies issued new regulations ranging from higher depo...
Blog Posts Archive - Competitive Enterprise Institute
May 11, 2026 - cei.org
Brendan Carr's 'Equal Time' Threat Against The View Is Blatantly Unconstitutional, ABC Says
The FCC chairman seems determined to impose a requirement that would amount to a ban on interviews with political candidates.
Reason.com
May 11, 2026 - reason.com
How Much Has the Iran War Actually Cost? A Lot More Than $25 Billion.
Direct military costs have exceeded $70 billion by one estimate, and Americans have paid more than $37 billion in higher energy costs since the war began.
Reason.com
May 11, 2026 - reason.com
A Modest Uptick in Supreme Court Popularity
A recent YouGov poll shows the Court is likely less unpopular than before. The tariff ruling may have given it a boost. The poll has several other notable findings, as well.
Reason.com
May 11, 2026 - reason.com
Don't Waste Time Arguing Over the Surgeon General Nominee. Abolish the Office.
It’s a vestigial role that has morphed into a national annoyance.
Reason.com
May 11, 2026 - reason.com
Don't Blame ChatGPT for the Florida State Shooting
A new lawsuit claims that ChatGPT gave the shooter information about busy times on campus and how to use guns.
Reason.com
May 11, 2026 - reason.com
Democrats appear to have wasted millions on failed Virginia gerrymander
Adam Pack writes for FoxNews.com about reaction to the Virginia Supreme Court’s decision to strike down Democrats’ congressional gerrymander. The Virginia Supreme Court’s ruling striking down Democrat...
John Locke Foundation
May 11, 2026 - johnlocke.org
Who’s on Trial?
The Jewish State has been demonized by many on the world stage. A new book challenges the myths behind that characterization.
Law & Liberty
May 11, 2026 - lawliberty.org
Gavin Newsom's Free Diaper Disaster
Plus: AOC attacks billionaires, Trump heads into Xi talks weakened by the Iran conflict, and redistricting battles escalate nationwide
Reason.com
May 11, 2026 - reason.com
How Big of a Deal Is Hantavirus?
Plus: Teslas, China, ChatGPT lawsuit, and more...
Reason.com
May 11, 2026 - reason.com
Rising Electricity Prices
Electricity bills keep climbing, but the causes go far beyond demand. Policy choices, grid costs, and regulation are reshaping what Americans pay.
The Advocates for Self-Government
May 11, 2026 - theadvocates.org
The Problem with Liberal Empire
American hegemony requires a kind of discretion and centralized decision-making at odds with true democratic values.
Law & Liberty
May 11, 2026 - lawliberty.org
Why the Bipartisan War on Housing Investors Won't Make Housing More Affordable
Politicians on the left and right are increasingly blaming large investors for raising home prices. Here's why they're wrong.
Reason.com
May 11, 2026 - reason.com
Trump to Meet with National Security Team to Discuss Restarting Strikes in Iran
President Donald Trump will meet with his team on Monday to discuss restarting the war against Iran. Axios reported on Monday that three US officials said the President will gather with his top natio...
The Libertarian Institute
May 11, 2026 - libertarianinstitute.org
Why Does America Keep Testing Failed ‘Decapitation’ Strategies?
The United States has long operated under a seductive strategic fantasy. Remove the leader of an adversary organization, whether a drug cartel, a terrorist group, or a sovereign state, and that organi...
The Libertarian Institute
May 11, 2026 - libertarianinstitute.org
Anti-Israel campaign uses common political tactics
Joan Swirsky writes about the factors driving a “Jew-hatred pandemic” targeting Israel. [Sherlock] Holmes may lie in the realm of fiction, but every now and then, a real-life character comes along who...
John Locke Foundation
May 11, 2026 - johnlocke.org
Elected Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice David Wecht Switches from Democrat to Independent
"It is my hope that Pennsylvanians, and Americans, of all viewpoints and backgrounds will oppose and resist the scourge of Jew-hatred before it undermines what our ancestors have built here."
Reason.com
May 11, 2026 - reason.com
Heroes of 1776 Shows That Remembering the Past Is Key to Progress
Neil Gorsuch's new book reminds us that to accelerate progress, we must first acknowledge the progress that has already occurred.
Reason.com
May 11, 2026 - reason.com
Israel's Conduct in Gaza Does Not Resemble Genocide
Frankly, I find the charge of genocide against Israel to be obviously absurd, one of those claims that true believers… The post Israel's Conduct in Gaza Does Not Resemble Genocide appeared first on Re...
Reason.com
May 11, 2026 - reason.com
N.Y. Court Blocks Rape Accusers from Repeating Their Allegedly False Accusations
From Judge Gerald Lebovits (Manhattan trial court) in Tuesday's Garlington v. Austin: In this action, plaintiff, Erik Garlington, brings claims… The post N.Y. Court Blocks Rape Accusers from Repeating...
Reason.com
May 11, 2026 - reason.com
Joe Kent: ‘A National Security Strategy for Our Republic, Not an Empire’
Joe Kent resigned from resigned as Director of the US National Counterterrorism Center in protest of Donald Trump’s war against Iran. Since then he has continued to speak out for ending the war. He g...
Antiwar.com Blog
May 11, 2026 - antiwar.com
Justice Alito Extends Administrative Stay of Mifepristone Order
The justices will consider what to do with the Fifth Circuit's mifepristone order for af ew more days
Reason.com
May 11, 2026 - reason.com
"Man Pleads Guilty to 'Doxxing' Home Address of United States Supreme Court Justice" with Intent to Threaten or Incite Violence
From Wednesday's Justice Department press release: Kyle Andrew Edwards, 59, of Alexander, N.C., appeared in federal court today and pleaded… The post "Man Pleads Guilty to 'Doxxing' Home Address of Un...
Reason.com
May 11, 2026 - reason.com
Everestian Illogic About Trade
TweetThe illogic of Trumpian protectionism is Everestian. Editor: Ed Gresser masterfully exposes many of the economic fallacies that the Trump administration trots out to justify its punitive taxation...
Cafe Hayek
May 11, 2026 - cafehayek.com
"New York Recognizes No Tort of 'Misgendering'"
The losing party on this had argued, "[The other party's lawyer] gives up the ghost as a transphobe twisting the First Amendment to mean, in effect, 'Intentionally misgendering you is free, not hate, ...
Reason.com
May 11, 2026 - reason.com
Father Free to Send Children to Church Camp During His Parenting Time, Even When Mother Objects to Church's Views on Women
"[A]bsent a clear showing of substantial harm to the child, the noncustodial parent retains his or her fundamental right to direct the child's religious upbringing during his or her parenting time."
Reason.com
May 11, 2026 - reason.com
Today in Supreme Court History: May 11, 1942
5/11/1942: Gordon Hirabayashi "failed to report to the Civil Control Station within the designated area." The Supreme Court upheld the… The post Today in Supreme Court History: May 11, 1942 appeared f...
Reason.com
May 11, 2026 - reason.com
Trump Calls Iranian Response to Peace Proposal ‘Totally Unacceptable’
President Donald Trump dismissed Iran’s response to his peace proposal as totally unacceptable. “I have just read the response from Iran’s so-called ‘Representatives.’ I don’t like it — TOTALLY UNACC...
The Libertarian Institute
May 11, 2026 - libertarianinstitute.org
The Viciousness of the Twin Evils on Iran
The common assumption is because the Iranian regime is engaged in evil, that makes the U.S. government’s war on Iran something good. Nothing could be further from the truth. Here we have a classic cas...
The Future of Freedom Foundation
May 11, 2026 - fff.org
Is the GOP Out of Touch on the Economy?
Are Republican lawmakers disconnected from the way average Americans are experiencing the economy?
Main Feed
May 11, 2026 - libertynation.com
Pursuing Trump: How Much Has Fani Willis Cost Her State?
When Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis launched an investigation into Donald Trump’s efforts to challenge the 2020 election results in Georgia, it quickly turned into one of the most explosi...
Main Feed
May 11, 2026 - libertynation.com
How Human Action Shaped My Teaching and Research Career
DiLorenzo learned more about inflation and recession in 45 minutes of reading Mises than in two semesters of macroeconomics. That, he argues, is the Austrian School's greatest advantage: anyone can be...
Mises Institute
May 11, 2026 - mises.org
North Carolina Supreme Court Justice proposes judicial candidate speech reform
On May 5, I wrote how the North Carolina Code of Judicial Conduct (CJC), as enforced by the Judicial Standards Commission, overly restricts the speech of judges and judicial candidates. That not only ...
John Locke Foundation
May 11, 2026 - johnlocke.org
Fake legal citations didn’t start with AI
The legal news these days is full of stories about lawyers and law firms being fined or sanctioned for submitting documents with fake legal citations generated by AI. In “How a Fake Citation Led Court...
John Locke Foundation
May 11, 2026 - johnlocke.org
The Need for Tax Reform and Reduction in Argentina
Last year, as part of a series of short videos on what is needed to complete Argentina’s economic rejuvenation, I shared this video on the nation’s anti-growth tax system. Since the videos were kept d...
International Liberty
May 11, 2026 - danieljmitchell.wordpress.com
The Real Lord of the Flies Story Netflix Isn't Telling
The famous novel portrays kids as savages when left to their own devices. But is that actually true?
Reason.com
May 11, 2026 - reason.com
Dan Bongino Wins Defamation Case Brought by Parler Ex-CEO
From NDMAscendant, LLC v. Matze, decided Thursday by the Nevada Supreme Court (Justices Kristina Pickering, Elissa Cadish, and Patricia Lee):… The post Dan Bongino Wins Defamation Case Brought by Parl...
Reason.com
May 11, 2026 - reason.com
Brickbat: No Spilled Tea
Brodie Mitchell, a student at Royal Holloway, University of London, is facing possible hate crime charges after saying a pro-Palestinian… The post Brickbat: No Spilled Tea appeared first on Reason.com...
Reason.com
May 11, 2026 - reason.com
It is Time to Cut Out All Pretense, Masquerades, or Duplicitous Illusions– Donald Trump is a Fascist
Donald Trump, by his Epstein class donors and key Zionist (Israel First) advisors, his revised cabinet appointments and his rhetorical public statements over the past year and a half year since the el...
LewRockwell
May 11, 2026 - lewrockwell.com
Ron Paul asks: Is Trump Going Back to Failed ‘Project Freedom’?
On today’s Ron Paul Liberty Report: After calling the Iranian counter-proposal “totally unacceptable,” President Trump is threatening to reinstate the failed “Project Freedom” policy of escorting tank...
Antiwar.com Blog
May 11, 2026 - antiwar.com
Georgia Gov Race May Pivot on Illegal Alien Imbroglio
Rick Jackson is running for governor in Georgia on a hard-line immigration stance - but does his hiring history back that up?
Main Feed
May 11, 2026 - libertynation.com
Iran Strikes the UAE Amid Ceasefire with US
How will Iran’s strikes on the UAE affect negotiations with Trump’s team, and the fragile ceasefire with the US? Will the economic pressure in the Strait of Hormuz bring the IRGC to its knees, or will...
Main Feed
May 11, 2026 - libertynation.com
America’s States Are Too Big and Too Centralized
Ryan McMaken argues that the American constitutional structure has become a suicide pact. It's a system that guarantees growing conflict and provides only one approved solution: more centralized power...
Mises Institute
May 11, 2026 - mises.org
Coordination, Not Conflict: What Hayek Got Right About Social Order
There is a recurring temptation in political economy to reduce social order to a problem of conflict rather than recognizing the significance of voluntary cooperation.
Mises Institute
May 11, 2026 - mises.org
Benefits of a HUD work requirement
Kevin Corinth explores the potential impact of a work requirement for federal housing assistance. The Proposed Rule would allow, but not require, eligible Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) to implement w...
John Locke Foundation
May 11, 2026 - johnlocke.org
Upcoming Cato Institute Event on "Trump v. Barbara: Birthright Citizenship at the Supreme Court"
I will participate, along Prof. Paul Finkelman, and Gabriel Chin.
Reason.com
May 10, 2026 - reason.com
Trump Threatens to Bomb Iran If Anyone Attempts to Retrieve Enriched Uranium
President Donald Trump threatened that if Iran attempts to dig out its destroyed nuclear facilities, he will order new strikes on the sites. “We’ll get that at some point, whenever we want. We have i...
The Libertarian Institute
May 10, 2026 - libertarianinstitute.org
Tehran Threatens ‘Heavy Attacks’ on US Bases, Ships in Response to Strikes on Iranian Vessels
Iran said that it would respond with “heavy attacks” if the US continues to strike its ships. Last week, President Donald Trump escalated enforcement of the blockade on Iran by attacking its vessels. ...