Challenges in Journalist Retaliation and Legal Safeguards

We discuss the Supreme Court backing Maine lawmaker Laurel Libby, NPR filing suit against Trump, a years-long dispute over a student wearing a “there are only two genders” shirt, the Secret Service investigation into James Comey, the latest on Harvard vs. Trump, and more.

Guests:

Bob Corn-Revere — chief counsel, FIRE

Lee Levine — former senior counsel, Ballard Spahr

Timestamps: 

00:00 Intro

03:34 Censure of Rep. Libby

07:02 Supreme Court shadow docket

13:53 NPR lawsuit against Trump admin

19:07 Differences between NPR and Voice of America cases

30:50 Middle school student wearing “there are only two genders” shirt

48:54 Recent investigation into former FBI Director James Comey

55:46 Latest updates with Harvard and Trump

01:05:27 Outro

Read the transcript here.

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Show notes:

• “Ep. 56 have you been defamed?” Lee Levine’s previous appearance on the show (2018)

• “Supreme Court backs Republican lawmaker in Maine who was punished for transgender athlete remarks” NBC (2025)

• “NPR and Colorado public radio stations lawsuit against Trump administration” NPR (2025)

• “Ending taxpayer subsidization of biased media” The White House (2025)

• L. M. v. Town of Middleborough, Massachusetts Justia (2024)

• Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District FIRE (1969)

• “Secret Service is asking Comey about a photo of seashells spelling ‘86 47’” The New York Times (2025)

• “The promise of American higher education” Alan Garber (2025)

• Harvard's lawsuit (complaint) (2025)