Last year, I took a stand against the Pulaski County School District in Kentucky when the district tried to silence me for speaking out against its unlawful political advocacy. Today, I’m proud to announce a resounding victory for free speech.
The district has agreed to a consent decree admitting it blocked me from its social media page and censored my voice. The district has also been ordered to pay $30,000 in attorneys’ fees to cover the costs of my legal battle and must train staff on First Amendment principles to prevent future violations.
When government entities like school districts use social media platforms to push their agendas while silencing critics, they erode the foundation of free expression.
This win, secured with the help of the Liberty Justice Center, sends a clear message: Government entities, including public school districts, cannot suppress dissent without consequences.
The trouble began on August 11, 2024, when Pulaski County Schools used its official social media pages and website to lobby against Amendment 2, a ballot measure to advance school choice in Kentucky. As an advocate for educational freedom, I criticized the district for using taxpayer-funded platforms to engage in political advocacy — something clearly prohibited under Kentucky law.
In response, the district froze comments on its posts and temporarily blocked me from its social media page. It was a blatant attempt to silence criticism and stifle debate — a textbook violation of the First Amendment.
Sadly, Amendment 2 was defeated at the ballot box in November, denying Kentucky families greater educational options — at least for now. School districts like Pulaski County, by breaking state law to campaign against the measure and silence critics like me, put their thumbs on the scale to sway the outcome. Their actions may have undermined the democratic process in 2024, but this legal victory ensures they won’t get away with such tactics in the future.
I wasn’t about to let their censorship slide. With support from the Liberty Justice Center, we sent demand letters to the district on August 14 and August 26, 2024. The pressure worked. The district removed the offending posts and unblocked me. But it stopped short of promising not to censor others in the future.
That’s when we decided to take the district to court. On January 15, we filed a federal lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, alleging that Pulaski County Schools violated my First Amendment rights by punishing me for my views.
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This case was never just about me. It was about every American silenced by a government official for speaking the truth.
Public school districts don’t belong to superintendents or school boards. They’re funded by taxpayers and accountable to the public. When officials censor dissent or block critics, they violate the core principles that make self-government possible.
The First Amendment protects free and open debate. It doesn’t exist to shield bureaucrats from scrutiny.
Our legal strategy centered on a 2024 Supreme Court ruling — Lindke v. Freed — which made clear that public officials using social media in their official capacity cannot block users based on viewpoint without violating the Constitution.
That ruling changed everything. It gave us the legal leverage to hold Pulaski County accountable.
While this victory may be personal, its implications are far-reaching. Social media has become a public square, where ideas are debated and policies are scrutinized. When government entities like school districts use these platforms to push their agendas while silencing critics, they erode the foundation of free expression.
My case sets a precedent that other districts across the country should heed: You cannot hide behind a “block” button to avoid accountability. The First Amendment applies online just as it does offline.
I’ve spent years fighting for educational freedom, advocating policies that empower parents and students. The defeat of Amendment 2 was a setback, but the fight for school choice continues. None of this work is possible without the freedom to speak out. Pulaski County Schools thought it could shut me up. Instead, the district amplified the message that censorship won’t be tolerated.
The $30,000 in attorneys’ fees is a signal that those who violate free speech will pay a price. The mandatory First Amendment training ensures the district’s staff will think twice before trying to silence anyone else. And the consent decree puts them under a judge’s watchful eye, ensuring compliance.
This win wouldn’t have been possible without the Liberty Justice Center, whose legal team fought tirelessly to defend my rights and the rights of every American to speak freely. The center's work, grounded in the Supreme Court’s recent ruling, shows that the law is catching up to the realities of the digital age. Government officials can no longer hide behind vague policies or technicalities to suppress dissent.
The Constitution is clear, and so is the message from this case: Free speech is non-negotiable.
To my fellow advocates, parents, and citizens: Don’t be afraid to speak out. When you see a school district or any government entity overstepping its bounds, call it out. The First Amendment is your shield, and cases like mine show that it still has teeth. Pulaski County Schools learned that lesson the hard way. Let’s make sure others don’t have to.
Texas conservatives have long trusted the Republican Party to stand firm on core values: secure borders, parental rights, the Second Amendment, and limited government. We’ve delivered them power in Austin. But too many GOP lawmakers now serve corporate donors and media elites — not the grassroots conservatives who put them in office.
Texas may be a red state, but the last legislative session told a different story. Thirty-six Republican state lawmakers joined Democrats on critical votes that gutted conservative priorities. They campaign as fighters and govern as cowards — folding at the first whiff of media pressure or lobbyist resistance. That’s not leadership. That’s betrayal.
When Texas Republicans falter, they don’t just fail their state — they fail the country.
Governor Greg Abbott’s Operation Lone Star generates headlines, but the border remains wide open. Despite the efforts of the Trump administration, cartels continue to move drugs and people freely across Texas soil. Ranchers continue to live in fear. Families bury loved ones lost to fentanyl. Texans demand action, but Austin delivers press releases.
Yes, regardless of the federal government’s efforts — and the Trump administration is certainly a refreshing change from Joe Biden —Texas has the constitutional authority to act. Where’s the declaration of invasion? Where’s the full mobilization? Leadership doesn’t mean deploying troops for photo ops. It means taking responsibility and enforcing the law.
Parents across Texas want transparency. They want to know what their kids are learning, reading, and hearing in school — especially on issues of sex and gender. Some lawmakers have stepped up. Too many haven’t. They call it “culture war nonsense” while siding with school boards and bureaucrats who treat parents as threats.
Legislators who can’t stop minors from receiving irreversible medical procedures without parental consent don’t belong in conservative office. That’s not compromise. That’s surrender.
After every shooting, moderate Republicans float “reasonable restrictions.” But the Constitution doesn’t hedge. It says “shall not be infringed.”
Texans don’t want red-flag laws. They want their rights respected. When figures like Rep. Dan Crenshaw entertain policies that chip away at due process, they don’t look pragmatic. They look weak. If you won’t defend gun rights without apology, step aside.
Texas Republicans now flirt with speech regulation. One bill would have required registration for anonymous political memes — all in the name of fighting “disinformation.” That’s not governance. That’s control.
Conservatives believe in protecting anonymous speech because we remember what it’s for: dissent. Critique. Satire. These aren’t bugs in the system — they’re essential features. If Austin lawmakers wants to mirror D.C.'s, voters will start treating them the same way.
The real issue isn’t just policy. It’s culture. The GOP establishment in Austin feels more at home with lobbyists than with the voters who knock doors and fund their campaigns. Primary challengers get dismissed as “fringe,” even as the grassroots base grows louder — and angrier.
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Calls for term limits are rising. The appetite for bold reform is real. If Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) can deliver conservative wins in Florida, why can’t Texas? Why are we still making excuses?
Texas shapes the national Republican Party. It drives presidential races and defines what the GOP stands for. When Texas Republicans falter, they don’t just fail their state — they fail the country.
As state Rep. Brian Harrison has shown, the last legislative session exposed serious cracks in the GOP foundation. Conservatives must respond: organize locally, show up at the Capitol, primary the cowards. An “R” isn’t a free pass. If you govern like a Democrat, expect to be treated like one.
Secure the border. Empower parents. Protect the Second Amendment. Defend free speech. Or get out of the way.
Texas doesn’t need more Republicans. It needs better ones.
A 9-year-old prodigy delivered an important lesson to Democrats regarding school choice while recently testifying before Nevada lawmakers.
Juliette Leong took a stand for educational freedom during her powerful speech in front of Nevada lawmakers.
'Wow, Juliette understands education policy better than most Democrats.'
Leong is a vocal proponent of Assembly Bill 584, a legislative proposal introduced on May 14 that is aimed at overhauling the state's public education system and enhancing school choice for students in Nevada. The transformative school choice bill — also known as the Accountability in Education Act — has been championed by Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo, a Republican.
AB 584 introduces RISE education accounts, which would empower students and parents to redirect public funds toward private education, charter schools, homeschooling, or tutoring services if their local public school is failing to meet performance standards.
"This bill expands school choice, holds schools accountable for performance, supports educators, and prioritizes literacy and career readiness," Leong wrote on Instagram. "Nevada has given $11.5 billion to its school districts this biennium, but without accountability, no amount of money will ever be enough."
Leong recently told the Assembly Committee on Ways and Means, "I'm here today to express my strong support for AB 584 to expand school choice."
"Thanks to Governor Lombardo, Nevada is on its way to becoming a true school choice state, giving the children the tools to thrive," the 9-year-old proclaimed.
"Our school system is too large and too slow to keep up with the world shaped by rapidly changing job markets," Leong explained. "That's why families need options like smaller private schools, charter schools, and homeschooling."
Leong said, "I spell at a third-grade level and do high school-level math, and no school could accommodate my needs, so I'm homeschooled."
Juliette noted that her homeschooling has enabled her to thrive in numerous ways, including being an "internationally acclaimed art prodigy, award-winning mathlete, philanthropist, entrepreneur, and influencer who is enrolled in college classes," according to Leong's personal website.
Leong began painting at 8 months old and started selling her paintings for nearly $20,000 when she was just 7 years old.
All of the proceeds from the sales of her paintings have been donated to charities and organizations such asAsian American Donor Program, Race to Erase MS, Ladies Who Rock 4 A Cause, Oakland Public Education Fund, Art in Action, Mensa Foundation, APA Heritage Foundation, and Asian Inc.
Leong has reportedly donated more than $250,000 to numerous nonprofit organizations.
Juliette — who is a TEDx speaker — has exhibited her artwork at the Reno Tahoe International Art Show, the Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose, and the Reno Generator.
Leong is also a talented violinist who, at age 5, was the youngest violin soloist to perform at Carnegie Hall. She is the youngest member of the Reno Philharmonic Youth Symphony Orchestra.
Juliette is also an impressive singer who has performed the national anthem for the Texas Rangers, Oakland Athletics, Reno Aces, and Sacramento River Cats.
Leong told the lawmakers, "It's not just about academics. It's about unlocking talents, building confidence, and creating opportunities. It's about teaching kids to solve problems and make a difference."
"Since every kid is different and every family has different circumstances, school choice is how we prepare Nevada students for real-world success, and that everyone who wants a job gets a job," Juliette stressed. "The world is moving forward, and Nevada needs to move forward with the world. Thank you, Governor Lombardo, for fighting for school choice."
Leong's speech on school choice racked up thousands of views on social media and caught the eye of Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas).
"Wow, Juliette understands education policy better than most Democrats," Cruz declared on the X social media platform.
Cruz added, "I’m leading the fight to ensure that my Universal School Choice Act is included in President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill — let’s get school choice done."
Lombardo said in April, "After delivering the largest investment in K-12 education in Nevada’s history, we owe it to our communities to match that investment with real results — and real accountability. I’m proud of what we’ve done so far. But let’s be clear — we can no longer accept lack of funding as an excuse for chronic underperformance."
Gov. Lombardo declared, "That’s why I’m introducing the Accountability in Education Act, which is legislation built on one guiding principle: No child in Nevada should be trapped in a failing school because of their ZIP code or held back because of how much their parents or guardians earn."
Assembly Bill 584 will face scrutiny from the state’s Democrat-controlled legislature.
“He has leverage, because if there are gonna be certain things that the Democrats want to pass, and the governor has a veto power, so they have to figure out how to work with him so, like, both sides can get what they want,” Valeria Gurr — a senior fellow at the American Federation for Children — told the Washington Examiner. "Maybe not everything will pass, but certain pieces certainly will pass."
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The U.S. Supreme Court’s 4-4 deadlock last week left intact the Oklahoma Supreme Court’s ruling against St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School — a failure of constitutional courage and a setback for educational freedom.
The tie lets stand a decision that discriminates against faith-based institutions by denying them the same public charter school opportunities extended to secular organizations. It rests on a misguided reading of the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause and ignores the protections guaranteed by the Free Exercise clause.
Families deserve more than crumbling bureaucracies and ideological indoctrination. They need real alternatives — the kind private and parochial schools have offered for generations.
Plaintiffs, including the Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board, made a compelling case: Excluding St. Isidore solely because of its Catholic identity violates the Constitution.
In Carson v. Makin (2022), the Supreme Court ruled that states cannot deny religious organizations access to public benefits otherwise available to all. Charter schools, while publicly funded, operate independently and serve as laboratories of innovation. St. Isidore committed to meeting Oklahoma’s curriculum standards and serving any student who applied. Its disqualification stemmed from one reason alone: its religious mission.
That’s religious discrimination, plain and simple.
The Oklahoma Supreme Court misread the Establishment Clause, and the U.S. Supreme Court failed to correct the error. The clause doesn’t forbid religious organizations to participate in public programs. It forbids the state to establish an official religion — not from offering families the freedom to choose a Catholic education within a public framework.
St. Isidore wouldn’t force anyone to adhere to Catholic doctrine. It would simply give parents another option — one grounded in a Judeo-Christian worldview and committed to academic excellence. Banning that option undermines pluralism and silences voices that have historically delivered high standards and moral clarity in American education.
Meanwhile, public education in the United States teeters toward collapse. Students trail their peers globally. In some districts, basic literacy remains out of reach. Families deserve more than crumbling bureaucracies and ideological indoctrination. They need real alternatives — the kind private and parochial schools have offered for generations.
Faith-based schools routinely outperform their government-run counterparts. Instead of blocking them from public charter programs, states should welcome their success and harness their model. Innovation doesn’t threaten the system. It might save it.
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond, despite claiming to be a Republican, sided with liberal secularists in opposing St. Isidore. His legal brief warned of “chaos” and raised alarm over hypothetical funding for “radical Islamic schools” — a tired slippery-slope argument that ignores the core issue of equal treatment under the law.
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Drummond abandoned conservative principles like school choice and religious liberty. Instead, he backed those who place rigid interpretations of church-state separation above fairness. His stance helped fuel the Supreme Court’s deadlock and undercut Oklahoma families seeking diverse educational options.
The Supreme Court’s failure to resolve this question, due in part to Justice Amy Coney Barrett’s recusal, leaves a constitutional gray area: Can states bar religious organizations from public programs that remain open to everyone else?
Parents deserve the right to choose schools that reflect their values — whether religious or secular. By excluding St. Isidore, the state has effectively declared that faith-based institutions are second-class citizens. That’s not just bad policy. It’s a dangerous precedent in a nation founded on religious liberty.
The founders never intended to wall off religion from public life. They saw the Christian faith and Judeo-Christian values as cornerstones of strong, free societies. Most early American schools were church-run. Today, the pendulum has swung too far to the left. Progressive bureaucrats attack the very moral foundations that made America successful in the first place.
If we want to make America great again, we need to reclaim those values and push back against the cultural nonsense that sidelines faith.
If we want to reverse the decline of American education, we need more choices — not fewer. This fight isn’t over. Oklahoma will keep defending parental rights and religious freedom. The St. Isidore case remains unfinished business — and we intend to finish it. Faith-based schools must have the freedom to educate our children without unconstitutional restrictions.
Education freedom is no longer just an idea — it’s becoming a life-changing reality for millions of children across America, thanks to numerous historic legislative victories.
The Senate measure reportedly eliminates a $5 billion cap on the program, but it also strips protections for educational freedom and allows Democrat states to bypass the program all together.
An Urban Institute study reports significant benefits for male students who participated in EdChoice, Ohio’s school choice voucher program.
Non-Christian schooling is a top cause of Americans' loss of faith, itself the top cause of the nation's fiscal and moral corruption.
The banking industry is attempting to take programs from Indiana's state treasurer because he works to protect Christians and conservatives.
The passage of SB 2 is a victory for parental empowerment and a testament to persistence in pursuit of good public policy.
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