In recent weeks, Donald Trump has elevated the case of American Pastor Saeed Abedini, a U.S. citizen imprisoned in Iran because of his Christian faith. Trump has tweeted about Pastor Saeed's case and the need for the U.S. government to do more to free Pastor Saeed. U.S. criticized for releasing Iranian nuclear scientist while striking no deal for Christian pastor http://t.co/DMkrjVnAoK — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 5, 2013 Looking forward to hosting @NaghmehAbedini... Continue Reading

On December 15, 1791, the Bill of Rights (the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution) were ratified by the states. The Bill of Rights were added to the Constitution to address fears raised by the Anti-Federalists during the ratification of the Constitution that the Constitution did not provide sufficient protection against abuses of power by the federal government. James Madison, the Father of the Constitution, originally did not think a Bill of Rights was necessary. He though... Continue Reading

I’m grateful that Kathryn keeps highlighting the principled plaintiffs challenging the HHS abortion-pill mandate before the Supreme Court. As the argument approaches, mainstream journalists will speak of the case in terms of “competing rights” or “competing liberties.” On one side are the business owners asserting a religious-liberty right not to purchase an objectionable product, while on the other side are the employees seeking to exercise their right to . . . wha... Continue Reading

Today, on the ACLJ’s daily radio broadcast, Jay Sekulow Live!, one caller tried to convince ACLJ Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow that there is a “right” to health care found in the words of the Constitution. In fact, he argued that this “right” to healthcare, which according him is found somewhere in the Preamble to the Constitution, trumps your religious liberty. Listen as Jay Sekulow, who has argued no less than a dozen times before the Supreme Court explains in no un... Continue Reading

I distinctly remember my deep anxiety about leaving my southern, Christian college and traveling north to a law school that was, well, slightly less hospitable to my religious point of view. In preparation for the challenge, I beefed up my reading — devouring books on everything from apologetics to critical-race theory — and I sought advice. If there was a common thread of that advice, it was: “Don’t come at people with the Bible. They don’t find it persuasive, and ... Continue Reading

In a critical development in American Pastor Saeed Abedini’s case, Congress will hold a hearing next week on his worsening plight. Pastor Saeed’s wife, Naghmeh, and I have been asked to testify about Pastor Saeed’s dire situation as Members of Congress seek to once again elevate the plight of this U.S. citizen who been abandoned and wrongly imprisoned in Iran because of his faith. A joint subcommittee hearing of the House Foreign Affairs Committee has been set for next, Thurs... Continue Reading

Last week, while honoring the late Roger Ebert, President Obama said this: I have my critics, obviously, but since were here in Hollywood, I want to think about something that the late, great Chicago film critic, Robert [Roger] Ebert said — and I was fortunate to get to know Roger Ebert and was always inspired by how he handled some really tough stuff. “Kindness,” he wrote, “covers all of my political beliefs.” Kindness covers all of my political beliefs. And wh... Continue Reading

Senator Ted Cruz, a stalwart advocate for American Pastor Saeed Abedini’s freedom, release a statement today condemning the Obama Administration for failing to secure Pastor Saeed’s freedom as part of its negotiations with Iran. Sen. Cruz stated: It is unconscionable that senior American diplomats, including the Secretary of State, who were conducting cordial negotiations with their Iranian counterparts in Geneva in the days after Pastor Saeed’s transfer, could not bring th... Continue Reading

Amid growing outrage at the Obama administration’s determination to strike a deal with jihadist Iran that not only allows Iran to enrich uranium but also permits it to continue imprisoning and torturing American citizens, Secretary of State John Kerry spoke up to defend his State Department’s diplomacy. During a press availability at NATO headquarters, Secretary Kerry said this regarding Obama administration efforts to free Americans held captive overseas, including Pastor Saeed Abe... Continue Reading

American Pastor Saeed Abedini not only faces deadly conditions in Iran’s Rajai Shahr prison, but we can now confirm that he faces direct threats on his life from other prisoners. Pastor Saeed’s Iranian family was able to visit him yesterday – the second visitation allowed since he was transferred to the deadly new prison last month. Pastor Saeed is facing constant threats to his very life in the new prison. There have been several nights where he has awoken to men standing o... Continue Reading