Adam Steinbaugh
@adamsteinbaugh.bsky.social
Philly. First Amendment lawyer at FIRE. Licensed in CA, PA. Opinions my own.
Do not go to Fairhope, Alabama, which is still defending this arrest of a No Kings protester because it violated a police officer's "values." Full video via @al.com here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgop...
November 21, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Do not go to Fairhope, Alabama, which is still defending this arrest of a No Kings protester because it violated a police officer's "values." Full video via @al.com here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgop...
Reposted by Adam Steinbaugh
Last Thanksgiving, two Dallas Police officers knocked on my door, citing a tip from the FBI national threat operations center that I was beating my girlfriend. The incident report confirms this. Today, I obtained a file from the FBI via FOIA that states the FBI has no record of receiving such a tip.
November 18, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Last Thanksgiving, two Dallas Police officers knocked on my door, citing a tip from the FBI national threat operations center that I was beating my girlfriend. The incident report confirms this. Today, I obtained a file from the FBI via FOIA that states the FBI has no record of receiving such a tip.
Eleventh Circuit affirms dismissal of Trump defamation lawsuit against CNN for calling his election denialism the "Big Lie"
Opinion: storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Opinion: storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
![Trump’s argument is unpersuasive. First, although he concedes that CNN’s use of the term “Big Lie” is, to some extent, ambiguous, he assumes that it is unambiguous enough to constitute a
statement of fact. This assumption is untenable. Although we haven’t squarely addressed the point, case law from other circuits is
persuasive. In Buckley v. Littell, 539 F.2d 882 (2d Cir. 1976), cert.
denied, 429 U.S. 1062 (1977), the Second Circuit held that, by using
the terms “fascist,” “fellow traveler,” and “radical right” to describe
William F. Buckley, Jr., the defendant was not publishing “statements of fact.” Buckley, 539 F.2d at 893. Rather, the court ruled,
the terms were “so debatable, loose and varying[] that they [we]re
insusceptible to proof of truth or falsity.” Id. at 894. Similarly, in
Ollman v. Evans, 750 F.2d 970 (D.C. Cir. 1984) (en banc), cert. denied,
471 U.S. 1127 (1985), the D.C. Circuit held that when the defendant
called the plaintiff “an outspoken proponent of political Marxism,”
his statement was “obviously unverifiable.” Ollman, 750 F.2d at
987. Trump argues that the term “Big Lie” is less ambiguous than
the terms “fascist,” “fellow traveler,” “radical right,” and “outspoken proponent of political Marxism.” But he does not explain
this assertion. If “fascist”—a term that is, by definition, political—](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:7r477jd7q7p2mzmyqfm7jmp7/bafkreifzrcycynll6e4vval5gho3ixmpdo4odqha5cgw4zjydntc5yhtxm@jpeg)
![is ambiguous, then it follows that “Big Lie”—a term that is facially
apolitical—is at least as ambiguous.
Second, Trump’s argument hinges on the fact that his own
interpretation of his conduct—i.e., that he was exercising a constitutional right to identify his concerns with the integrity of elections—is true and that CNN’s interpretation—i.e., that Trump was
peddling his “Big Lie”—is false. However, his conduct is susceptible to multiple subjective interpretations, including CNN’s. As we
held in Turner, one person’s “subjective assessment” is not rendered false by another person’s “different conclusion.” 879 F.3d at
1264. In Turner, the defendants stated that, on at least one occasion,
the plaintiff, James Turner, offensive line coach of the Miami Dolphins, participated in the “homophobic taunting” of one of his players. Id. Turner argued that this statement was false because his
conduct was a “harmless ‘joke,’ as opposed to homophobic taunting.” Id. We rejected his argument, concluding that the statement
“[wa]s the [d]efendants’ subjective assessment of Turner’s conduct
and [wa]s not readily capable of being proven true or false.” Id.
Just as the Turner defendants described Turner’s conduct as “homophobic taunting,” CNN described Trump’s conduct as his “Big
Lie.” Just as Turner viewed his own conduct as a “harmless ‘joke,’”
Trump viewed his own conduct as the exercise of a constitutional
right. As in Turner, so too here. CNN’s subjective assessment of
Trump’s conduct is not readily capable of being proven true or
false.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:7r477jd7q7p2mzmyqfm7jmp7/bafkreib6bvzynagsmnxqtdezowccqs6d3mzl3ceyoodhxwkbaizqo2j3ma@jpeg)
November 18, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Eleventh Circuit affirms dismissal of Trump defamation lawsuit against CNN for calling his election denialism the "Big Lie"
Opinion: storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Opinion: storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
I am not the brains behind this operation. This one is @ctfitzpatrick.bsky.social and Bob Corn-Revere and Greg Greubel.
November 7, 2025 at 10:13 PM
I am not the brains behind this operation. This one is @ctfitzpatrick.bsky.social and Bob Corn-Revere and Greg Greubel.
feels like a line accidentally left out of The Boys Are Back In Town
November 7, 2025 at 3:01 PM
feels like a line accidentally left out of The Boys Are Back In Town
We represent her.
November 7, 2025 at 2:37 AM
We represent her.
This lawsuit was a copycat of the two still-pending lawsuits filed by Trump against Selzer. (Yes, two.) Those suits remain pending for now.
November 6, 2025 at 9:05 PM
This lawsuit was a copycat of the two still-pending lawsuits filed by Trump against Selzer. (Yes, two.) Those suits remain pending for now.
VICTORY: Federal court dismisses class action lawsuit against pollster J. Ann Selzer, filed by the “Center for American Rights”
www.thefire.org/news/victory...
www.thefire.org/news/victory...
VICTORY! Federal district court dismisses class-action suit against pollster J. Ann Selzer
Federal district court tosses ‘fake news’ lawsuit against pollster J. Ann Selzer, affirming First Amendment protections for election commentary.
www.thefire.org
November 6, 2025 at 8:44 PM
VICTORY: Federal court dismisses class action lawsuit against pollster J. Ann Selzer, filed by the “Center for American Rights”
www.thefire.org/news/victory...
www.thefire.org/news/victory...
Wrong still in Velcro
November 4, 2025 at 2:35 AM
Wrong still in Velcro
Reposted by Adam Steinbaugh
It's insane that this even needs to be said.
“A free country does not dispatch police in the dead of night to pull people from their homes because a sheriff objects to their social media posts,” @adamsteinbaugh.bsky.social speaking to @willoremus.com.
www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2025/...
“A free country does not dispatch police in the dead of night to pull people from their homes because a sheriff objects to their social media posts,” @adamsteinbaugh.bsky.social speaking to @willoremus.com.
www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2025/...
A retired policeman posted a Charlie Kirk meme. He spent a month in jail.
The 61-year-old Tennessee man plans to sue after authorities dropped charges over a political Facebook post. Free-speech advocates say it’s a symptom of a wider crackdown.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 31, 2025 at 1:36 PM
It's insane that this even needs to be said.
“A free country does not dispatch police in the dead of night to pull people from their homes because a sheriff objects to their social media posts,” @adamsteinbaugh.bsky.social speaking to @willoremus.com.
www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2025/...
“A free country does not dispatch police in the dead of night to pull people from their homes because a sheriff objects to their social media posts,” @adamsteinbaugh.bsky.social speaking to @willoremus.com.
www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2025/...
BREAKING: Charges against Larry Bushart over a meme quoting President Trump have been dropped: www.wkrn.com/news/charges...
October 29, 2025 at 7:26 PM
BREAKING: Charges against Larry Bushart over a meme quoting President Trump have been dropped: www.wkrn.com/news/charges...
Reposted by Adam Steinbaugh
It's good that LPD is clarifying this because police officers knocking on doors and demanding people delete posts would be absolutely nuts
The Sheriff's story about the arrest of Larry Bushart over a Trump/Kirk meme continues to fall apart.
Sheriff claims the arrest was necessary because Bushart refused to "clarify" to local police that his meme wasn't a threat. The police department says that's not true.
www.wkrn.com/news/local-n...
Sheriff claims the arrest was necessary because Bushart refused to "clarify" to local police that his meme wasn't a threat. The police department says that's not true.
www.wkrn.com/news/local-n...
October 29, 2025 at 3:22 PM
It's good that LPD is clarifying this because police officers knocking on doors and demanding people delete posts would be absolutely nuts
The Sheriff sits down in his office for an interview to argue that he *had* to arrest Larry Bushart for posting a meme quoting President Trump. www.newschannel5.com/news/newscha...
October 29, 2025 at 2:28 PM
The Sheriff sits down in his office for an interview to argue that he *had* to arrest Larry Bushart for posting a meme quoting President Trump. www.newschannel5.com/news/newscha...
The Sheriff's story about the arrest of Larry Bushart over a Trump/Kirk meme continues to fall apart.
Sheriff claims the arrest was necessary because Bushart refused to "clarify" to local police that his meme wasn't a threat. The police department says that's not true.
www.wkrn.com/news/local-n...
Sheriff claims the arrest was necessary because Bushart refused to "clarify" to local police that his meme wasn't a threat. The police department says that's not true.
www.wkrn.com/news/local-n...
October 29, 2025 at 1:16 PM
The Sheriff's story about the arrest of Larry Bushart over a Trump/Kirk meme continues to fall apart.
Sheriff claims the arrest was necessary because Bushart refused to "clarify" to local police that his meme wasn't a threat. The police department says that's not true.
www.wkrn.com/news/local-n...
Sheriff claims the arrest was necessary because Bushart refused to "clarify" to local police that his meme wasn't a threat. The police department says that's not true.
www.wkrn.com/news/local-n...
Reposted by Adam Steinbaugh
Former cop is in jail for committing thought crime against the memory of Charlie Kirk theintercept.com/2025/10/23/c...
The Absurd Prosecution of a Man Who Posted a Charlie Kirk Meme
Larry Bushart Jr. posted trolling memes on a Facebook thread about a vigil for Kirk. He’s been in a Tennessee jail ever since.
theintercept.com
October 24, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Former cop is in jail for committing thought crime against the memory of Charlie Kirk theintercept.com/2025/10/23/c...
Reposted by Adam Steinbaugh
This is absolutely insane. Must read
Larry Bushart Jr. posted trolling memes on a Facebook thread about a vigil for Kirk. He’s been in a Tennessee jail ever since. interc.pt/4njg2T8
October 24, 2025 at 7:10 PM
This is absolutely insane. Must read
The sheriff said the post caused “mass hysteria” among parents and teachers.
But the school district says they don't have a single record about it -- and the sheriff's department says it won't respond to public records requests.
But the school district says they don't have a single record about it -- and the sheriff's department says it won't respond to public records requests.
Larry Bushart Jr. posted trolling memes on a Facebook thread about a vigil for Kirk. He’s been in a Tennessee jail ever since. interc.pt/4njg2T8
October 24, 2025 at 7:00 PM
The sheriff said the post caused “mass hysteria” among parents and teachers.
But the school district says they don't have a single record about it -- and the sheriff's department says it won't respond to public records requests.
But the school district says they don't have a single record about it -- and the sheriff's department says it won't respond to public records requests.
I mean... decent chance it is.
October 24, 2025 at 6:59 PM
I mean... decent chance it is.
Who got pardoned now
October 24, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Who got pardoned now
Larry Bushart has been in jail for a month. The Sheriff is brazenly refusing to respond to public records requests.
Larry Bushart Jr. posted trolling memes on a Facebook thread about a vigil for Kirk. He’s been in a Tennessee jail ever since. interc.pt/4njg2T8
October 23, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Larry Bushart has been in jail for a month. The Sheriff is brazenly refusing to respond to public records requests.
Iowa federal court issues temporary restraining order against school district's efforts to fire high school teacher over social media comment about Charlie Kirk. If people complaining to the school were "disruption," it would effectuate a heckler's veto. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
![Because Crook spoke as a citizen on a matter of public concern, the Court must next determine whether Defendants have produced evidence to indicate Crook’s speech had an adverse impact on the efficiency of their operations. Cf. Mayfield, 122 F.4th at 1053. At this stage of the litigation, the Court determines Defendants’ allegations of harm to school operations are insufficient to warrant denial of a temporary restraining order. Defendants allege the district received “111 emails and 140 phone calls,” the vast majority of which originated from parents “asking for [Crook’s] termination or requesting that their children be removed from [Crook’s] class.” ECF No. 9-1 at 8; see ECF No. 1-12 at 1. Defendants cite Crook’s “inability to effectively work with the parents of her students,” which “would significantly hamper her job performance” as evidence of disruption. ECF No. 9-1 at 9. Further, Defendants allege Crook’s speech made it “impossible for her to serve as a positive role model for her students.” Id. Significantly, “[m]ere allegations the speech disrupted the workplace or affected morale, without evidentiary support, are insufficient.” Lindsey, 491 F.3d at 899. Without further evidence, denying a temporary restraining order on “such ‘vague and conclusory’ concerns . . . runs the risk of constitutionalizing a heckler’s veto.” Melton v. City of Forrest City, Ark., 147 F.4th 896, 903 (8th Cir. 2025) (quoting Sexton v. Martin, 210 F.3d 905, 912 (8th Cir. 2000)). Defendants have not produced sufficient evidence to indicate Crook’s speech had an adverse impact on the operations of the District.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:7r477jd7q7p2mzmyqfm7jmp7/bafkreigq45ti4zmzwfql25apklvooair5sfx7p2ef6me7ofcnvx5ld6vfi@jpeg)
October 22, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Iowa federal court issues temporary restraining order against school district's efforts to fire high school teacher over social media comment about Charlie Kirk. If people complaining to the school were "disruption," it would effectuate a heckler's veto. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Auburn University -- a public institution fully bound by the First Amendment -- fired a landscaper after a student complained about his comments about Charlie Kirk. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com
October 22, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Auburn University -- a public institution fully bound by the First Amendment -- fired a landscaper after a student complained about his comments about Charlie Kirk. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Now the City of Fairhope's City Council President defends the arrest and encourages prosecution. Says Jack Burrell: "We want to make sure we don’t violate someone’s constitutional rights, and I hope the police have enough evidence that they stand behind the charges."
www.al.com/news/2025/10...
www.al.com/news/2025/10...
Penis costume arrest raises constitutional concerns amid library dispute in Fairhope
The city finds itself on opposite sides of free expression debates as it defends books against censorship while arresting a protester for wearing a provocative costume.
www.al.com
October 21, 2025 at 12:24 PM
Now the City of Fairhope's City Council President defends the arrest and encourages prosecution. Says Jack Burrell: "We want to make sure we don’t violate someone’s constitutional rights, and I hope the police have enough evidence that they stand behind the charges."
www.al.com/news/2025/10...
www.al.com/news/2025/10...
DHS posts photos of someone in a similar costume. It's not obscenity.
October 20, 2025 at 5:32 PM
DHS posts photos of someone in a similar costume. It's not obscenity.