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Most people are familiar with Miranda rights, but few know the story behind the name. Ernesto Arturo Miranda confessed to kidnapping and rape, leading to his conviction and a sentence of 20 to 30 years. However, because his constitutional rights were violated, his confession was suppressed and could not be used to prove guilt at trial. The Supreme Court’s five-to-four decision sparked controversy, with critics arguing it granted criminals excessive rights, potentially allowing them to evade justice. Miranda was later retried without the confession and convicted again.

President Trump has engaged in a campaign of intimidation against Congress, the media, universities, and the legal system, including judges and lawyers. He has been most successful in intimidating Congress, which has Republican majorities in both chambers. They are so afraid of the threats of Trump supporting another candidate in a Republican primary that they have given Trump whatever he wants.

On April 2, which President Donald Trump dubbed “Liberation Day,” he announced sweeping tariffs. The stock market’s reaction was, to put it mildly, negative. The Dow Jones, S&P 500, Nasdaq, and Russell 2000 experienced their worst two-day period of losses since March 2020. We all remember what happened in March 2020.

My favorite column to write is the one for the Purim edition. However, it has become difficult, since what used to be considered crazy and satirical is now normal.

The editor of The Atlantic, Jeffrey Goldberg, wrote he was placed on a text chain on Signal involving the plans of the attack on the Houthis, which included Vice President J.D. Vance, the Director of the CIA John Radcliffe, Defense Secretary Peter Hegseth, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and Secretary of the State Department Marco Rubio. 

Although I had a partial conflict on the night of the QJL 13^th anniversary celebration, I made sure to be there, since I am one of the writers. I also came because one of the honorees was Paul Brody. I have known Paul for a long time. It does not appear that he is slowing down. He is working full time and is still involved in Jewish causes. Paul is a throwback to a time when people would have political disagreements, but it would not affect their relationship.