David Cole

Legal Affairs Correspondent

@DavidColeACLU

David Cole is The Nation’s legal affairs correspondent, and national legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union.

Bob Frese

Arresting Criticism: When Complaining About a Public Official Can Land You in Jail Arresting Criticism: When Complaining About a Public Official Can Land You in Jail

Criminal defamation laws are relics of a bygone age.

May 1, 2023 / David Cole and Brian Hauss

A replica of the United States Bill of Rights.

The ACLU Never Stopped Defending Free Speech The ACLU Never Stopped Defending Free Speech

And, contrary to what you may have read, we’re not stopping now.

May 31, 2022 / David Cole

Michael Ratner

The Legacy of Radical Lawyer Michael Ratner The Legacy of Radical Lawyer Michael Ratner

His posthumous memoir, just released, is a powerful account of holding the powerful to account.

Jun 1, 2021 / Editorial / David Cole

Black Lives Matter

Republican Cancel Culture: State Laws to Suppress Activism Republican Cancel Culture: State Laws to Suppress Activism

Republicans in 33 states have introduced bills to make protesting a crime.

May 19, 2021 / David Cole

How John Paul Stevens Surprised Us

How John Paul Stevens Surprised Us How John Paul Stevens Surprised Us

Stevens was precisely the kind of justice that neither side wants appointed: a pragmatist, skeptical of rigid doctrinal tests.

Jul 23, 2019 / David Cole

The Long and Grim Road to ‘Plessy v. Ferguson’

The Long and Grim Road to ‘Plessy v. Ferguson’ The Long and Grim Road to ‘Plessy v. Ferguson’

Steven Luxenberg’s new book offers a vivid account of the events that led to the ruling.

Jul 2, 2019 / Books & the Arts / David Cole

ACA Rally

Why the Decision Declaring Obamacare Unconstitutional Will Be Reversed Why the Decision Declaring Obamacare Unconstitutional Will Be Reversed

The only immediate effect of Judge Reed O’Connor’s fundamentally flawed ruling will be to underscore Republicans’ political weakness.

Dec 18, 2018 / David Cole

Anthony-Kennedy_pointing_ap

Why Anthony Kennedy Was a Moderating Force on the Supreme Court Why Anthony Kennedy Was a Moderating Force on the Supreme Court

He was a conservative, but he had an open mind—and he was receptive to the concept of an evolving Constitution.

Jul 3, 2018 / Editorial / David Cole

Huckabee Sanders Restaurant-ap-img

Refusing to Serve Sarah Sanders Was Wrong Refusing to Serve Sarah Sanders Was Wrong

So why can’t those who sympathize with her see that it’s far more harmful to refuse to serve gay and lesbian couples, as Masterpiece Cakeshop did?

Jun 26, 2018 / David Cole

The Long Road to ‘Citizens United’

The Long Road to ‘Citizens United’ The Long Road to ‘Citizens United’

Adam Winkler's new history argues that the problem with Citizens United is its inability to see the distorting effects of concentrated wealth.

Jun 6, 2018 / Books & the Arts / David Cole

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