Author

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: Further prosecutions over the 2020 election are not justified
By: Bruce Ledewitz - 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 […]
Did the Biden administration violate the First Amendment?
By: Bruce Ledewitz - 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 […]
Today’s Supreme Court: ‘Not a normal court,’ but not unprecedented either | Bruce Ledewitz
By: Bruce Ledewitz - July 13, 2023
This last term should also remind us that, like the Warren Court, today’s justices are not ideological clones.
Pardon me? Why Biden should pull a Gerald Ford when it comes to Trump | Bruce Ledewitz
By: Bruce Ledewitz - June 28, 2023
And for the same reason -- for the good of the country and the health of our democracy.
Six lessons from the debt deal. What did we learn? | Bruce Ledewitz
By: Bruce Ledewitz - 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.
The Durham Report shows why we don’t want the FBI involved in politics | Bruce Ledewitz
By: Bruce Ledewitz - June 1, 2023
Overreach by the government should not be ignored, even if the victim is Donald Trump.
If the GOP won’t do it, Democrats will have to block Trump’s nomination for them | Bruce Ledewitz
By: Bruce Ledewitz - 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.
The Pgh synagogue shooting case should’ve been heard in Pa. court | Bruce Ledewitz
By: Bruce Ledewitz - May 3, 2023
Federal jurisdiction over this case introduces enormous complications, both practical and legal.
The views aired at Pitt debate were ugly. It was still right to let it happen | Bruce Ledewitz
By: Bruce Ledewitz - April 20, 2023
A university is exactly the place where such explorations must take place if America is to remain a free society.
With Pa’s highest court depleted, Shapiro, GOP Senate leaders let voters down | Bruce Ledewitz
By: Bruce Ledewitz - April 10, 2023
The Pennsylvania Constitution is very clear as to what should happen when there is a vacancy on the state Supreme Court.
What bad decisions by Ron DeSantis and Gavin Newsom have in common | Bruce Ledewitz
By: Bruce Ledewitz - March 23, 2023
We're citizens -- not subjects. The two governors ignored that fact in their unconstitutional haste to punish two corporations.
The Panama Canal Treaties were Carter’s biggest foreign policy win | Bruce Ledewitz
By: Bruce Ledewitz - March 9, 2023
They were not only Carter’s greatest achievement, they were a great achievement of a very different America.