Author

Bruce Ledewitz

Bruce Ledewitz

Opinion contributor Bruce Ledewitz teaches constitutional law at Duquesne Kline Law School in Pittsburgh. His work appears biweekly on the Capital-Star’s Commentary Page. He hosts the “Bends Toward Justice” podcast. His latest book, “The Universe Is On Our Side: Restoring Faith in American Public Life,” is out now. His opinions do not represent the position of Kline Duquesne Law School.

COMMENTARY

Commentary: Further prosecutions over the 2020 election are not justified

By: - August 3, 2023

It may surprise people to know that trying to overturn an American election is not a crime. The means chosen to do it must also be criminal. Lying about voting machines and spreading misinformation about who won is not enough. That is why the four members of the Oath Keepers were convicted of seditious conspiracy—conspiring […]

COMMENTARY

Did the Biden administration violate the First Amendment?

By: - July 25, 2023

On July 4, federal Judge Terry Doughty, an appointee of former President Donald Trump, ruled that the Biden administration had violated the First Amendment by asking social media sites to delete posts containing false information, including misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines and the 2020 election. Judge Doughty then enjoined further contact by the Biden administration with […]

COMMENTARY
It's been a year since an early draft of the Dobbs decision was leaked, a precursor to the U.S. Supreme Court decision in June that overturned the federal right to abortion. (Getty Images)

Today’s Supreme Court: ‘Not a normal court,’ but not unprecedented either | Bruce Ledewitz

By: - July 13, 2023

This last term should also remind us that, like the Warren Court, today’s justices are not ideological clones.

COMMENTARY
Former U.S. President Donald Trump waves as he makes a visit to the Cuban restaurant Versailles after he appeared for his arraignment on June 13, 2023, in Miami. Trump pleaded not guilty to 37 federal charges including possession of national security documents after leaving office, obstruction, and making false statements. (Photo by Alon Skuy/Getty Images)

Pardon me? Why Biden should pull a Gerald Ford when it comes to Trump | Bruce Ledewitz

By: - June 28, 2023

And for the same reason -- for the good of the country and the health of our democracy.

COMMENTARY

Six lessons from the debt deal. What did we learn? | Bruce Ledewitz

By: - June 15, 2023

A real debt deal that puts America on a sane fiscal path does not appear likely no matter who is in charge in Washington.

COMMENTARY
Former U.S. President Donald Trump gestures during an event at his Mar-a-Lago home on Nov. 15, 2022 in Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

The Durham Report shows why we don’t want the FBI involved in politics | Bruce Ledewitz

By: - June 1, 2023

Overreach by the government should not be ignored, even if the victim is Donald Trump.

COMMENTARY

If the GOP won’t do it, Democrats will have to block Trump’s nomination for them | Bruce Ledewitz

By: - May 19, 2023

Any chance that Trump might become president should be avoided at all costs. Democrats have a role to play in the nominating process.

COMMENTARY

The Pgh synagogue shooting case should’ve been heard in Pa. court | Bruce Ledewitz

By: - May 3, 2023

Federal jurisdiction over this case introduces enormous complications, both practical and legal.

COMMENTARY

The views aired at Pitt debate were ugly. It was still right to let it happen | Bruce Ledewitz

By: - April 20, 2023

A university is exactly the place where such explorations must take place if America is to remain a free society.

COMMENTARY

With Pa’s highest court depleted, Shapiro, GOP Senate leaders let voters down | Bruce Ledewitz

By: - April 10, 2023

The Pennsylvania Constitution is very clear as to what should happen when there is a vacancy on the state Supreme Court.

COMMENTARY

What bad decisions by Ron DeSantis and Gavin Newsom have in common | Bruce Ledewitz

By: - March 23, 2023

We're citizens -- not subjects. The two governors ignored that fact in their unconstitutional haste to punish two corporations.

COMMENTARY
Then-President Jimmy Carter came to Kansas for a 1978 rally featuring John Carlin, a candidate for governor, and Senate candidate Bill Roy. (Submitted by John Carlin)

The Panama Canal Treaties were Carter’s biggest foreign policy win | Bruce Ledewitz

By: - March 9, 2023

They were not only Carter’s greatest achievement, they were a great achievement of a very different America.