Libertarian Reporting for 2026-05-14
Today’s news coverage from libertarian media sources.
John Fetterman: 'I'm a Very Pro-Capitalist Democrat'
Sen. John Fetterman discusses the state of the Democratic Party, immigration, foreign policy, and the dangers of political extremism.
Reason.com
May 13, 2026 - reason.com
Some Links
TweetClifford Winston explains what shouldn’t – but, alas, what always does – need explaining: Protecting companies from competition might well increase their market share, but it also weakens them; i...
Cafe Hayek
May 13, 2026 - cafehayek.com
A Circuit Split Gives SCOTUS an Opportunity To Overturn a Federal Law That Makes Home Distilling a Felony
The 6th Circuit upheld that 158-year-old law, while the 5th Circuit concluded it could not be justified as a revenue measure.
Reason.com
May 13, 2026 - reason.com
Father of Fertility
Plus: A new kind of seasteading, examining genocide claims, and more...
Reason.com
May 13, 2026 - reason.com
The Trump Administration Is a Powerful but Unreliable Ally of Second Amendment Advocates
Even as the Justice Department files lawsuits aimed at vindicating gun rights, it undermines them in other cases.
Reason.com
May 13, 2026 - reason.com
Congress Ramps Up Its Crusade Against Chinese Cars Ahead of Trump-Xi Meeting
Chinese cars are cheap and widely popular, but Americans can't buy them.
Reason.com
May 13, 2026 - reason.com
U.K. Elections Show Populist Uprising Is Far From Over
Polling shows angry voters are prepared to reject the establishment in elections to come.
Reason.com
May 13, 2026 - reason.com
A federal gas tax holiday won’t do much to ease the pain at the pump
The best policy ideas for making gasoline more affordable – faster permitting for domestic drilling and pipeline construction alongside fewer regulations targeting refineries or dictating gasoline for...
Blog Posts Archive - Competitive Enterprise Institute
May 13, 2026 - cei.org
Documenting Spanberger’s ‘faceplant’
Editors at the Washington Free Beacon deliver a harsh assessment of Virginia’s new governor. Has there ever been a more overhyped politician than Virginia governor Abigail Spanberger? Flash back a few...
John Locke Foundation
May 13, 2026 - johnlocke.org
Why I'm Cheering for This New Anti-Porn, Anti-LGBT, Christian Phone Network
Free market solutions for the win!
Reason.com
May 13, 2026 - reason.com
Hanson identifies ‘four horsemen’ of today’s antisemitism
Victor Davis Hanson writes for American Greatness about key factors contributing to antisemitism today. Few predicted that blaming Israel and the Jews who support it would flare up in the early 21st c...
John Locke Foundation
May 13, 2026 - johnlocke.org
America’s New Debt Milestone
America's debt has surpassed 100% of GDP and the cracks are already showing.
Law & Liberty
May 13, 2026 - lawliberty.org
Absurd Cost Overruns Are a Bipartisan Problem
Regarding the pervasive problem of cost overruns (defined as government programs and projects that wind up costing far more than initial estimates), I’ve always appreciated this image sent by a reader...
International Liberty
May 13, 2026 - danieljmitchell.wordpress.com
Virginia lawmakers trying to defy state’s top court on gerrymandering
Brittany Bernstein writes for National Review Online about Virginia Democrats escalating their gerrymandering campaign. Democrats on Monday filed an emergency appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court in an ef...
John Locke Foundation
May 13, 2026 - johnlocke.org
Omnipotent government
I wrote this last week for The Critic... Not since the early 1980s has the government had such a stranglehold over economic life in Britain. It is well known that taxes are at a record high and that...
Velvet Glove, Iron Fist
May 13, 2026 - velvetgloveironfist.blogspot.com
Foreign Policy Payback: Russia Backs Iran Against United States
Washington and Moscow both enthusiastically celebrated the victory of the Allied “Grand Alliance” over the fascist powers at the end of World War II. Since then, however, the two capitals have typical...
The Libertarian Institute
May 13, 2026 - libertarianinstitute.org
Rep. Salazar: Cubans Are Waiting for Trump to Give the Order to Rise Up
Republican Representative María Elvira Salazar said that the Cuban people are waiting for the order from President Donald Trump to overthrow the government in Havana. “Republicans know you are the on...
The Libertarian Institute
May 13, 2026 - libertarianinstitute.org
The State Sterilised My Generation—Don’t Let America Follow Our Footsteps
The state has essentially inverted the social contract. The post The State Sterilised My Generation—Don’t Let America Follow Our Footsteps appeared first on Free the People.
Free the People
May 13, 2026 - freethepeople.org
This Isn’t Rebellion. It’s Survival.
“Unconditional submission” or “resistance by force.” Thomas Jefferson, John Dickinson, and the Second Continental Congress said those were their two terrible options less than 3 months after the battl...
Tenth Amendment Center
May 13, 2026 - blog.tenthamendmentcenter.com
Today in Supreme Court History: May 13, 1912
5/13/1912: Seventeenth Amendment is approved by the House of Representatives. The Senate approved it the prior month. The Seventeenth Amendment… The post Today in Supreme Court History: May 13, 1912 a...
Reason.com
May 13, 2026 - reason.com
Brickbat: Red Meat Issues
Amsterdam has banned advertisements for both meat and fossil fuels as part of its plan to fight climate change. Since May… The post Brickbat: Red Meat Issues appeared first on Reason.com.
Reason.com
May 13, 2026 - reason.com
The Decline and Fall of Human Agency
As AI reshapes the world, it may feel less and less "empowering."
Law & Liberty
May 13, 2026 - lawliberty.org
Injunction Against Referring to Ex-Wife and Children in Online Media Violates First Amendment
An excerpt from a long Washington Court of Appeals decision approved yesterday for publication, Asbach v. Couto (Judge Bradley Maxa,… The post Injunction Against Referring to Ex-Wife and Children in O...
Reason.com
May 13, 2026 - reason.com
Who’s Your Daddy Now? Failing War Empowering Euros To Break With Trump
Nearly a year ago, NATO Chief Mark Rutte of the Netherlands was excoriated for calling Donald Trump “daddy” in reference to the American president’s “tough talk” on Europe, whether it be on member sta...
Antiwar.com Blog
May 13, 2026 - antiwar.com
Ron Paul asks Is Tucker Carlson A ‘Domestic Terrorist’?
On today’s Ron Paul Liberty Report: White House counterterrorism advisor Sebastian Gorka has opened the door to consider conservative voices like Tucker Carlson “domestic terrorists.” How? By claiming...
Antiwar.com Blog
May 13, 2026 - antiwar.com
Robert Pape: ‘Iran and the Escalation Trap: Avoiding a Future of Forever Wars in the Middle East’
Professor Robert Pape teaches at the University of Chicago and study how force is used to achieve political objectives, how escalation unfolds, and how strategies of restraint can succeed or fail in i...
Antiwar.com Blog
May 13, 2026 - antiwar.com
Russia: Some Work Has Been Done on Deal to End Ukraine War
The Kremlin said some progress has been made toward ending the war in Ukraine and that Russia would welcome President Donald Trump’s assistance in mediating talks. During Russia’s Victory Day celebra...
The Libertarian Institute
May 13, 2026 - libertarianinstitute.org
Quotation of the Day…
Tweet… is from page 523 of Richard Lewinsohn’s August 1933 Current History paper, “The Rise of Economic Nationalism”: When the state actively enters the commercial field, there is everywhere an accomp...
Cafe Hayek
May 13, 2026 - cafehayek.com
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
Reason Receives 17 Nominations for Southern California Journalism Awards
Nominees include stories on America's gerontocracy, the war on chocolate, how Texas beat California on housing, and more.
Reason.com
May 12, 2026 - reason.com
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
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
Marty Makary's Irrational Resistance to Flavored Nicotine Vapes Drove His FDA Resignation
On the subject of tobacco harm reduction, the former commissioner let his emotions override his avowed commitment to following the science.
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
San Francisco's Outdoor Smoking Ban Won't Improve Public Health, but It Will Hurt the City's Bars and Taverns
Bar owners warn that the proposed smoking ban could force closures, threaten jobs, and damage San Francisco’s nightlife.
Reason.com
May 12, 2026 - reason.com
Patients Have a Right To Try. Why Can't They Use It?
Terminally ill patients were promised access to experimental treatments, but the "right to try" exists mostly on paper.
Reason.com
May 12, 2026 - reason.com
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
John Mearsheimer on Iran and Trump’s Trip to China
Reprinted from John’s Substack: On 8 May 2026, I was on Rachel Blevins’ popular podcast talking about President Trump’s never-ending troubles in Iran and why they are going to hinder him in his upcom...
Antiwar.com Blog
May 12, 2026 - antiwar.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
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
Patients Have a Right To Try. Why Can’t They Use It?
Terminally ill patients were promised access to experimental treatments, but the “right to try” exists mostly on paper.
Cato Recent Op-eds
May 12, 2026 - cato.org
North Carolina should build its own budget simulator
Balancing a state budget is an exercise in tradeoffs. Every dollar allocated to one priority is a dollar unavailable for another. Yet those tradeoffs are often difficult to see, buried in lengthy docu...
John Locke Foundation
May 12, 2026 - johnlocke.org
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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?