I chaired the FEC. Hawaii’s attack on Citizens United is dangerous.

July 30, 2026   •  By Brad Smith   •  , , ,

A new law in the Aloha State bars most organizations from speaking on political issues.

Court Cases About Money and Speech in Politics

June 22, 2026   •  By Brad Smith   •  , ,

Maybe the court was wise not to hand government, and self-interested legislators, the power to decide who is speaking too much, and which views ...

The Supreme Court Protected Donor Privacy. The IRS Didn’t Get the Memo.

June 21, 2026   •  By Brad Smith and Brett Nolan   •  ,

The federal government is still fighting to collect nonprofit donor information despite Supreme Court warnings that such demands chill free speech.

Seventy years ago, the NAACP stood up for all of us

June 16, 2026   •  By Helen Knowles-Gardner   •  , , ,

June 1 marks the 70th anniversary of Attorney General John M. Patterson’s effort to oust the NAACP from Alabama.

Campaign finance disclosures should fight corruption, not fuel political voyeurism

June 10, 2026   •  By Tiffany Donnelly   •  ,

Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas of musical act TLC is no stranger to the spotlight — but it’s usually for her talent, not for what should be private ...

Oklahoma ethics rules provide protection from ‘dark money’

May 24, 2026   •  By David Keating   •  , , ,

We don’t need a constitutional amendment that sacrifices essential First Amendment rights for the illusion of greater transparency.

The First Amendment Does Not Contain An Election-Year Exception

May 20, 2026   •  By Brad Smith   •  , ,

The First Amendment does not allow the government to restrict political speech because change might be disruptive.

Protect Free Speech from Frivolous Lawsuits in Wisconsin

April 1, 2026   •  By David Keating   •  , ,

Wisconsin prides itself on its tradition of open democratic participation. Passing UPEPA would instantly move the state from the dwindling ranks of the unprotected ...

Edward H. Crane, Champion of Free Speech

March 23, 2026   •  By David Keating   •  ,

The Cato Institute founder considered this First Amendment right to be the core of libertarianism.

Stronger free speech protections long overdue in South Carolina

March 20, 2026   •  By David Keating   •  , ,

Shutting down someone’s free speech with a meritless, costly lawsuit sounds downright un-American. But in South Carolina, it’s a genuine risk because of the ...

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