The Latest Breaking News from Joanna Schwartz

Qualified Immunity Is Not Limited to Police Brutality. It Protects a Wide Variety of Abusive Officials.

An analysis of appeals involving the doctrine finds that less than a quarter "fit the popular conception of police accused of excessive force."

Reason · Feb 13, 2024

Donald Trump's Demand for Absolute Immunity for Crimes Committed While President Goes Far Beyond the Qualified Immunity Police Officers Get

Qualified immunity is a badly flawed doctrine the Supreme Court should abolish. But Trump's demands are much more extreme.

Reason · Jan 23, 2024

Trump's Promise to 'Indemnify' Cops 'Against Any and All Liability' Is Absurd for 2 Reasons

Police officers already are routinely indemnified, and suing them for abuse is much harder than Trump claims.

Reason · Dec 22, 2023

Tyre Nichols' Killing Brings Police Reform Back into Public Debate

There are ways to reduce abusive behavior while still protecting public safety.

Reason · Feb 1, 2023

Memphis releases graphic video of Tyre Nichols’ brutal beating; family calls for peaceful protest

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The city of Memphis released nearly an hour of graphic video Friday evening showing the beating of Tyre Nichols, footage capturing the moment-by-moment developments of a traffic stop that spiraled into a savage display of force, once again leaving an American city reeling from police violence.

Los Angeles Times · Jan 28, 2023

Mother of Tyre Nichols calls for peaceful protests when ‘horrific’ video is released

MEMPHIS, Tennessee — The mother of Tyre Nichols called for peaceful protests in anticipation of the release of video of her son’s fatal beating by Memphis police that led to murder charges against five officers.

Los Angeles Times · Jan 27, 2023

Which Is More Scandalous: The Training for Armed Teachers or the Training for Police Officers?

On average, the minimum requirement for cops is about 650 hours, compared to about 1,300 hours for barbers.

Reason · Aug 1, 2022