Institute for Free Speech

We're proud to represent the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii in this lawsuit to protect the right of all Hawaii residents to join together and seek change. Read the new article from Angele Latham on our challenge to Hawaii's Act 11, via USA TODAY:

Hawaii law challenges Citizens United. Why it faces a lawsuit A free speech group is suing Hawaii over a new law that restricts corporate spending in political campaigns.

JUST FILED: Late Friday, our attorneys have filed a lawsuit on behalf of Grassroot Institute of Hawaii to challenge Hawaii's Act 11, which violates key political speech rights. Read our new press release to learn more about this case:

Free Speech Lawsuit Challenges New, Sweeping Hawaii Law That Would Silence Nonprofits and Civic Groups - Institute For Free Speech Institute for Free Speech has filed suit on behalf of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii to challenge Act 11, which exposes organizations to severe penalties—including dissolution—for engaging in civic advocacy

Nashua’s Flag Censorship Ends with Federal Court Judgment

Nashua's Flag Censorship Ends with Federal Court Judgment - Institute For Free Speech Federal court order permanently bars city from resuming viewpoint-based flag denials after it unconstitutionally censored citizens’ requests for use of “Citizen Flag Pole”

"The Supreme Court issued a resounding victory for donor privacy and free speech last month in First Choice Women's Resource Centers v. Davenport, but it is cold comfort to the hundreds of thousands of nonprofit organizations around the country that must continue handing over similar information to the IRS every year," write IFS Chairman Bradley Smith and IFS Senior Attorney Brett Nolan in Reason.

The Supreme Court protected donor privacy. The IRS didn't get the memo. The federal government is still fighting to collect nonprofit donor information despite Supreme Court warnings that such demands chill free speech.

NEW Free Speech Arguments – Are the Trump Executive Orders Targeting Law Firms and Lawyers Constitutional? (Perkins Coie LLP v. DOJ)

Free Speech Arguments – Are the Trump Executive Orders Targeting Law Firms and Lawyers Constitutional? (Perkins Coie LLP v. DOJ) - Institute For Free Speech Perkins Coie LLP v. Department of Justice, argued before the D.C. Circuit on May 14, 2026.

This morning, IFS Senior Attorney Brett Nolan presented oral argument in The Buckeye Institute v. IRS before the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Listen in full, with no additional commentary, here:

Free Speech Arguments – IRS Donor Disclosure Law: What First Amendment Standard of Review Applies? (The Buckeye Institute v. Internal Revenue Service) - Institute For Free Speech The Buckeye Institute v. Internal Revenue Service, argued before the Sixth Circuit on April 29, 2026.

NEW: Federal Court Blocks Augusta School Board Censorship

Federal Court Blocks Augusta School Board Censorship - Institute For Free Speech A federal judge found that Nicholas “Corn Pop” Blanchard will likely succeed on his First Amendment claims after the Augusta School Board repeatedly silenced him for criticizing board members and school officials during public comment time.

Are We Losing Our Most “American” Trait?

Are We Losing Our Most “American” Trait? - Institute For Free Speech If you feel like you’re more disconnected from your fellow Americans than ever before, it’s not your imagination.

🎙️ NEW Free Speech Argument podcast: Can Government Retaliate Against Critics by Launching an Investigation and Demanding Documents? (Media Matters for America v. Federal Trade Commission)

Free Speech Arguments – Can Government Retaliate Against Critics by Launching an Investigation and Demanding Documents? (Media Matters for America v. Federal Trade Commission) - Institute For Free Speech Media Matters for America v. Federal Trade Commission, argued before the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit on April 13, 2026.

🚨 VICTORY: Federal Court Blocks Enforcement of California’s Mandatory DEIA and “Anti-Racist” Ideology against Bakersfield College Professor

Federal Court Blocks Enforcement of California's Mandatory DEIA and “Anti-Racist” Ideology against Bakersfield College Professor - Institute For Free Speech Requiring professors to “reflect DEIA and anti-racist principles” in their teaching, and be DEIA-proficient to “teach, work, or lead within California community colleges,” likely violates the First Amendment