Alas, as with Thomas Paine, a rousing call to action is not the same as a blueprint for victory. This essay first appeared in Law & Liberty on October 3, 2025 (here). Political wisdom can be dispensed in small packages, as was the case with Thomas Paine’s succinct pamphlet, Common Sense, published in 1776. Many turgid “doorstop” books, in contrast, … Read more| Misrule of Law
Most Monday mornings I appear on the Michael Patrick Leahy Show to discuss politics and current events. Here is what we discussed today. People who are deluded about their sexual identity are mentally ill. “Gender Dysphoria” is listed in DSM-5. Mentally ill people are susceptible to violence, especially to protect their delusion. Since most religions do not condone sexual delusions, … Read more| Misrule of Law
How can someone who professes to defend “election integrity” and vows to “put Tennessee voters back in charge” support eliminating primary elections? Selecting party nominees by caucus (i.e., insider cliques) would be a travesty. | Misrule of Law
Misrule of Law | misruleoflaw.com
Mainstream conservatives in Tennessee must recognize the threat presented by anti-GOP agitators posing as grassroots activists. They are demagogues using tactics and strategies from the Democrats’ playbook. Thanks to the Tennessee Star (here) and the Michael Patrick Leahy show (here)! As a conservative Republican who has been politically active in every state in which I have lived during my adult … Read more| Misrule of Law
Because if we are not a nation of laws, we are subject to the rule of men, which quickly devolves into mobs. The furor over Hughes v. Lee illustrates the chaos that could ensue. Thanks to the Tennessee Star (here) and the Michael Patrick Leahy Show (here)! I recently started to track the cases in which lower federal courts—usually Obama- … Read more| Misrule of Law
President Trump is making the rule of law great again.| Misrule of Law
“Mark Pulliam is one of the few truly fearless, devastatingly incisive, original and yet deeply learned commentators on the contemporary legal scene. His new blog is a welcome addition and a splendid and provocative resource.” | misruleoflaw.com
Since moving from East Tennessee to the Nashville area a few months ago, one of the biggest differences we have noticed is that people are better informed and more engaged; the local newspaper (the Williamson Herald) actually resembles a newspaper, as opposed to the Daily Times‘ reprinting press releases from favored agencies and NGOs; and the body of conservative residents is robust and vocal. Unlike in Blount County, the local Republican Party is active and holds public events. There are ...| Misrule of Law
“Mark Pulliam is one of the few truly fearless, devastatingly incisive, original and yet deeply learned commentators on the contemporary legal scene. His new blog is a welcome addition and a splendid and provocative resource.” | misruleoflaw.com
Responding to periodic exigencies confronting the nation defies reduction to a unitary “jurisprudential framework,” but good faith and common sense usually suffice.| Misrule of Law
In addition to complying with the Constitution, color-blindness—equality before the law–is a more effective policy for promoting black advancement than the grievance culture of racial preferences. Meritocracy is the crucible for self-improvement.| Misrule of Law
Beware of power-seeking opportunists promoting divisive conspiracy theories and exploiting anti-government paranoia. Are the straw men they erect merely props for their own self-aggrandizement?| Misrule of Law
Serious problems—and the nation is beset by many–require serious solutions. Conservatives should unite in finding meaningful solutions that will work in the real world. Nullification is not among them.| Misrule of Law