VivaBarnesLaw
Politics • Culture • News
The Barnes Brief: Friday, July 25, 2025
July 25, 2025
post photo preview
Art of the Day

Schedule

This Week:

Art of the Day: The Joshua Tree. En route to the desert to the home of the namesake of the best U2 album ever, surviving and even thriving in the water quenched land of the Mojave. The true origin of its appellation derives from Mormons escaping harassment to the southwest, and saw in its inviting, directing branches a promise to the promised land of survival and rebirth as in the prophet Joshua. Heading there now a for a summer escape of remembrance and rebirth.

Wisdom of the Day: “Most people, if they know they have done wrong, foolishly suppose they can conceal their error by defending it, and finding a justification for it; but in my belief there is only one medicine for an evil deed, and that is for the guilty man to admit his guilt and show that he is sorry for it. Such an admission will make the consequences easier for the victim to bear, and the guilty man himself, by plainly showing his distress at former transgressions, will find good grounds of hope for avoiding similar transgressions in the future.” Arrian, The Campaigns of Alexander.

Book Recommendation: Blood Libel, a research deep dive into how European royal elites used Jews as scapegoats routinely to escape liability for their own bad deeds, and likely triggering multiple mini-Holocausts over the centuries before the Nazis, as entire Jewish genetic lines disappeared from the genetic record suddenly and without explanation. This text provides context for the libels of people like Fuentes and Candace. 

Introduction: 5 Top Headlines of the Week

1.    Covid Vax Removed

2.    Russiagate Deepens

3.    Japan Populism

4.    Judicial Insurrection

5.    France Palestine

*Bonus: A Rescue

The Evidence: 5 Top Articles Curated from The Barnes Library

1.    Smart Meter Problems

2.    Left Divide

3.    Butler Remembered

4.    AI Jobs

5.    Stablecoin Concerns Debate

*Bonus:  Hulk Hogan Hero

The Citations: 5 Top Cases TBD on Sunday

1.    SCOTUS win for Trump

2.    2ndA Win

3.    Lindell Wins

4.    Macrons Sue Candace

5.    Birth Control Suit & Prep Act Immunity

*Bonus: other topics: DOJ Reappointment in New Jersey & Blue Slip Senators, Epstein Grand Jury & Maxwell Proffer, Russiagate Update, MAHA Wins, Kohberger, Fed

Closing Argument: Why Candace Is Cooked, A Mini-Masterclass in Libel Law

·      The First Amendment heavily shapes libel law in America immunizing opinions that do not imply facts, statements that do not reference an identifiable individual, and claims made with a good faith basis and due regard for their truth remain. Other privileges or immunities may exist depending upon the jurisdiction, including the fair reporting privilege concerning governmental bodies, anti-SLAPP procedural protections, and the like.

·      A good start to assess how courts will likely construe the law on any given topic is the pattern jury instructions courts commonly issue as guidance for trial judges to explain the law to juries. To prove libel of a public figure requires: a statement made to a third person (“publication”); the statement could be reasonably understood to be about that third person (“colloquium”); the statement could be reasonably understood to state or imply a fact about that third person harmful to their reputation (“defamatory”); the statement was factually false (‘falsity”); and the defendant either knew the statement was false, had doubts about its truth, or disregarded a substantial and unjustifiable risk the statement was false (“actual malice”).

·      In the Candace Owens case, the Macrons allege the following lies and libels by Owens: that Mr. Macron is an MK-Ultra project whose parents are not his real parents, where he was kidnapped, abused, engaged in incestuous relations with his wife as a close blood relative as part of the Rothschild family, murdered journalists who asked questions about this topic, bribed and extorted other journalists who asked these questions, admitted he engaged in illicit sexual assault by his now wife when he was a 15 year old student and she a 39 year old teacher, that he engaged in the crimes of forgery, fraud, bribery, extortion, blackmail, attempted murder, murder, incest, and rape, while worshiping Satan and Baphomet in a cult, and was supporting the Ukraine War for as long as anyone asked these questions about these topics; that Mrs. Macron is a biological male, who fathered 3 kids with another woman hidden from view, that her brother doesn’t exist (but that she is secretly him), that she never married, never gave birth to any children, engaged in the crimes of forgery, fraud, bribery, extortion, blackmail, attempted murder, murder, incest, and rape, while worshiping Satan and Baphomet in a cult, and admitted she had no photos before the age of 30 and admitted she engaged in statutory rape of Mr. Macron; and that in effort to disguise sources, fabricate evidence, and ignore exculpatory evidences, lied about what documents or photos existed in books, articles, documentaries, and even the retraction letters sent by the Macrons repeatedly to her denying the allegations and providing substantial evidence proving the falsity of her statements.

·      The evidence presented to Owens rebutting her claims included birth records, marriage records, court transcripts of sworn testimony, extensive photographic records, and a wide range of records vetted and verified by third party sources. Candace Owens apparent sources include a self-proclaimed psychic, a self-proclaimed amateur detective, and a right-wing newsletter writer whose first libels predated the Macrons ability to now sue, including two defendants already found criminally liable for libel on these precise claims.  

·      Delaware includes a “no mischievous nor malicious” purpose defense, and the complaint alleges she profited substantial sums for these claims while bragging about the reputational harm it would cause the Macrons, ignoring retraction requests and lying to her audience about the content of the redaction requests. Additionally, the Complaint identifies a recurrent pattern, including Owens past libels, fitting the Macrons into devil-worshipping, Baphomet-idolizing Satanists, drinking Christian blood, who use child sex trafficking to perpetuate their power through pedophile rape, as she alleges those identified as Jews are really these devil worshipper Kazarians, who wrongly disparage Nazi doctor Mengele, and include Josef Stalin, and now the Macrons.

·      Reviewing the complaint, it is useful to remember the Macrons only need to win on 1 single statement being libelous, not every statement. Reviewing some of the sources cited in the detailed complaint, it is nigh on impossible seeing Candace win at trial. Then compound that with the venue – a 2-to-1 Democratic jury pool to the left of Austin, Texas and a judicial pool that is one of the most partisan in the nation, and she is completely cooked.   

 

community logo
Join the VivaBarnesLaw Community
To read more articles like this, sign up and join my community today
57
What else you may like…
Videos
Podcasts
Posts
Articles
Fun with Dry Ice

The local farm had some extra dry ice so we did some experiments.

00:07:47
March 07, 2026
Trump says it was Iran that hit the school

I am not yet coming to any definitive conclusions on the strike that killed the schoolgirls in Iran. There is mutually conflicting information, and we have seen these types of tragedies get weaponized and propagandized.

If it was the result of an American strike, I have no doubt it was not deliberate. From what I understand, the school was adjacent to an IRGC “target”. It is possible it was struck by accident, or tangentially as part of an attack on an IRGC target (setting aside arguments that Iran would have placed a girls school adjacent to an IRGC establishment for these specific reasons, or that any strike on an IRGC target should not have occurred if there was a school in the vicinity).

It is also possible it was struck by an errant Iranian missile.

The problem with Trump’s answer - or more specifically from the follow-up answer from Hegseth, is that Hegseth’s answer “we’re certainly investigating” undermines Trump’s statement.

I am not one of those who believes the US ...

00:00:33
March 06, 2026
Squad Votes NO on Iran Bill

For those who missed it live. Squad and 53 democrats vote against Iran terror designation.

00:16:04
February 17, 2024
Appearance on Richard Syrette

I did a quick hit on Richard Syrette yesterday. Gotta keep Canadians apprised of the U.S. madness.

Appearance on Richard Syrette
The Barnes Brief, Podcast Format: Monday, July 17, 2023

Closing Argument: Birthright citizenship is deeply American, and wholly Constitutional.

The Barnes Brief, Podcast Format: Monday, July 17, 2023
Declaration of Independence

Audio podcast style.

Declaration of Independence
Board Poll: Sunday Topics

Pick your favorite, if any, and add your own topic, comment or question in the replies below as the Show Notes for the Sunday Show.

This definitely won't go over well!! 😱

https://x.com/DowdEdward/status/2030736608648143003?s=20

post photo preview
post photo preview
post photo preview
The Barnes Brief: Weekend of March 6, 2026

I. INTRODUCTION

A. Art of the Week

  • Roulette wheel, around, around she goes, and where she ends, nobody knows. A line from a film favorite, The Good Thief. Einstein said it could only be beat in infinity, but as the character says in the film — Einstein didn’t believe in luck. The only game of chance I ever care to play, following the wisdom of my former client and old friend, Wesley Snipes: always bet on black. Let luck be a lady, and not abandon us yet. 

B. Recommendation of the Week

C. Wisdom of the Week

  • “If wars can be started by lies, then peace can be started by truth.” Julian Assange. 

D. Appearances

II. THE EVIDENCE 

A reminder: links are NOT endorsements of the authors or their interpretation of events, but intended to expand our library of understanding as well as expose ideas of distinct perspective to our own. 

A. Barnes Library: Curated Weekly Articles of Interest

  1. Trump kills MAGA. https://www.theamericanconservative.com/the-iran-war-has-ended-the-trump-coalition/
  2. Corny Cornyn. https://thefederalist.com/2026/03/05/10-times-john-cornyn-betrayed-trump-and-maga/
  3. Divorce Israel. https://prospect.org/2026/03/05/israel-america-alliance-iran-war-trump-rubio-netanyahu/
  4. Bye-bye One-Eyed McCain. https://unherd.com/newsroom/dan-crenshaw-lost-maga-voters-a-long-time-ago/?edition=us
  5. Delusions in Arabia. https://unherd.com/watch-listen/iran-strikes-expose-israels-permanent-war-doctrine/?edition=us

 *Bonus: Super Honey. https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/scientists-make-a-super-honey-using-cocoa-bean-waste-for-chocolatey-heart-healthy-jolt/

B. Best of the Board: Five Fantastic Posts of the Week

  1. Wisdom. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7745503/here-s-the-simple-calculus-1-if-you-can-t-question-it-it-s-a-psyop-2-if-they-call-you
  2. Art every day. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7745081/title
  3. Proverb. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7745312/my-conclusion-is-revolution-from-above-only-benefits-those-above
  4. Prayers. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7744953/daily-morning-prayer-o-heavenly-father-forgive-us-of-our-sins-and-trespasses-give-president-trump
  5. Said it as well as anyone could. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7744989/robertbarnes-epic-fury-nah-more-like-epic-frustration

*Bonus: Chase Hughes truth. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7742399/great-quote-by-chase-hughes

C. Homework: Cases of the Week for Sunday

  1. SCOTUS: Asylum review. https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/25pdf/24-777_9ol1.pdf
  2. SCOTUS: State immunity. https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/25pdf/24-1021_p860.pdf
  3. SCOTUS: Trans disclosures. https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/25pdf/24-1021_p860.pdf
  4. Massie’s Iran War Resolution. https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-concurrent-resolution/38/text
  5. Trump tariffs challenged. https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/dem-attorneys-general-sue-trump-tariffs-complaint.pdf
  6. Noem out. https://x.com/lukerosiak/status/2029613423592452409?s=20
  7. 9th Circuit affirms Trump on refugees. https://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/opinions/2026/03/05/25-1939.pdf
  8. 9th Circuit affirms judicial limits on immigration review. https://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/opinions/2026/03/05/24-4137.pdf
  9. Meta’s not so private glasses. https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/bartone-vs-meta-complaint.pdf
  10. Tik Tok sale contested. https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/public-integrity-project-tiktok-us-assets-sale-lawsuit-dc-circuit.pdf
  11. Win Against DEI. https://www.campusreform.org/article/judge-blocks-california-dei-speech-mandate/29494
  12. Zoning & county authority. https://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/OpinionsPDFVersion/Majority%20Opinion%20-%20M2022-01562-SC-R11-CV.pdf.

*Bonus: Psychic fortune telling turns sour. https://www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-takes/2026/03/04/professor-accused-murder-tiktoker-awarded-10m

**Bonus: Uber loses. https://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/opinions/2026/03/04/25-228.pdf

***Bonus: Not so honest sleep gummies. https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/perkins-procter-ruling-030526.pdf

III. CLOSING ARGUMENT: The SAVE Act Is Constitutional

  • Article I, Section 3 of the Constitution provides for Congress to regulate Congressional elections, providing that the times, places and manner for holding state rules governing such elections to federal legislative office  “may at any time by law” be altered by Congress. 
  • Article IV, Section 2 provides that citizens of each state must be entitled all the privileges and immunities of citizens in the several states, while Article IV, Section 4 requires the federal government to”guarantee to every state” a “republican form of government.” 
  • Amendment XIV recognizes “the right to vote” for “citizens of the United States,” with Section 5 giving Congress the power to enforce.  
  • Amendment XV recognizes the “right of citizens of the United States to vote”, again affording Congress the power to enforce. 
  • Amendment XIX recognize again “the right of citizens of the United States to vote” and provides Congress the power to enforce.  
  • Amendment XXIV again reinforces “the right of citizens of the United States to vote” with Congress afforded power to enforce. 
  • Amendment XXVI again reinforces “the right of the citizens of the United States to vote” with Congress empowered to enforce. 
  • The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, the so-called SAVE Act, enforces these Constitutional protections and legislative powers. 
  • First, the SAVE Act does not purport to govern anything other than federal elections. 
  • Second, the SAVE Act focuses on limiting voting to “the citizens of the United States” with documentary proof required.
  • As such, the SAVE Act simply enforces the Constitutional protections for citizens the right to vote by assuring their vote isn’t diluted by non-citizens. 
Read full Article
post photo preview
The Barnes Brief: Friday, February 27, 2026

I. INTRODUCTION

 

Only for Supporters
To read the rest of this article and access other paid content, you must be a supporter
Read full Article
post photo preview
The Barnes Brief: Weekend of February 20, 2026

I. INTRODUCTION

A.  Art of the Week

  • When Picasso painted me before I was born, his portrait of famous patron saint of the arts, Ambroise Vollard. The painting struck my brother when he first saw it in person, as a biographical portrait of yours truly. The intensive, internal self-reflection expresses a true self-recognition. My favorite portrait to this day, even if only of me across the psychic plains of time and space.  

B.  Recommendation of the Week

C. Wisdom of the Week

  • “I am a tariff man, with a tariff plan, standing on a tariff platform.” President William McKinley. 

D.  Appearances

II. THE EVIDENCE

  • A reminder: links are NOT endorsements of the authors or their interpretation of events, but intended to expand our library of understanding as well as expose ideas of distinct perspective to our own. 

A. Barnes Library: Curated Weekly Articles of Interest

  1. 1776 Law Center Survey: War Vote Mirrors Midterms https://www.bigdatapoll.com/blog/democrats-expand-generic-ballot-lead-in-february/
  2. Iran War risk. https://www.theamericanconservative.com/war-on-iran-is-the-opposite-of-realism/
  3. Welfare state fraud. https://www.liberalpatriot.com/p/the-democrats-fraud-problem
  4. Utility battles. https://prospect.org/2026/02/19/blackstone-private-equity-utility-acquisition-new-mexico-public-service-txnm-energy/
  5. Remembering Jessie Jackson. https://www.theamericanconservative.com/jesse-jackson-complicated-man/

*Bonus: Bald eagle rescued. https://abc7ny.com/post/nypd-officers-describe-rare-rescue-trapped-american-bald-eagle-icy-hudson-river-nyc/18616678/

B. Best of the Board: Five Fantastic Posts of the Week

  1. Bill Brown’s comedic relief. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7704528/title
  2. Jonathan’s prayer. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7704685/morning-daily-prayer-heavenly-father-i-thank-you-for-blessings-everyday-i-thank-you-for-my-beloved
  3. Meme magic. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7704745/title
  4. Bountiful art. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7704798/title
  5. Board thoughts on Iran war. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7700010/board-poll-war-in-iran

*Bonus: Bondi mockery. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7703469/spotted-all-over-washington-dc-while-i-normally-don-t-share-the-political-views-of-people-in-dc

**Bonus: Weekly Wisdom. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7704649/the-intersection-of-politics-youtube-commentary-and-critical-traffic-infrastructure-https-you

C. Homework: Cases of the Week for Sunday

  1. SCOTUS: Tariffs. https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/25pdf/24-1287_4gcj.pdf
  2. Facebook trial. https://courthousenews.com/safety-was-someone-elses-problem-ex-facebook-vp-says-in-teen-social-media-trial/
  3. Jury bias in Musk case. https://courthousenews.com/contempt-for-musk-clouds-jury-selection-in-twitter-takeover-trial/
  4. Amazon death. https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/amazon-nitrite-washington-supreme-court-2.pdf
  5. Virginia redistricting stalls. https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/tazewell-injunction.pdf
  6. British ex-royal arrested. https://courthousenews.com/ex-prince-andrew-arrested-on-suspicion-of-sharing-sensitive-documents-with-epstein/
  7. Firetruck monopoly. https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/mke-v-fire-truck-manufacturers.pdf
  8. ICE churches. https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/synod-v-dhs-ice-injunction.pdf
  9. Tina Peters denied bond. https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/people-tina-peters-order-bond.pdf
  10. Slushie fraud. https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/slush-puppie-forged-email-with-icee.pdf
  11. The HP merger case. https://business.cch.com/ald/USvHewlettPackardEnterpriseCo122025.pdf
  12. Tunney Act Trump DOJ risks. https://prospect.org/2025/07/29/2025-07-29-law-could-blow-open-trump-antitrust-corruption/

*Lobbyist disclosure laws. https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/2/chapter-26

**Lobbying disclosure guidelines. https://www.senate.gov/legislative/resources/pdf/S1guidance.pdf

***Transanity in Canada. https://vivabarneslaw.locals.com/post/7704549/tribunal-ruling-out-of-british-columbia-canada

III. CLOSING ARGUMENT: Constitution Masterclass Series — Article I, Tariffs

  • Article I, section 7 enumerates the power “for raising revenue” to the legislative branch of Congress, commencing with the House and continuing onto the senate. 
  • Article I, section 8, clause 1 enumerates the power “to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises” to the legislative branch in Congress. 
  • Article I, section 8, clause 3 enumerates the power “to regulate commerce with foreign nations” to the legislative branch in Congress. 
  • Article I, section  8, clause 5 enumerates the power to “fix the standard of weights and measures” to the legislative branch in Congress. 
  • Article I, section 8, clause 10 enumerates the power to “define and punish” those “offenses against the law of nations” to the legislative branch in Congress. 
  • Article I, section 8, clause 11, enumerates the power to “declare war” as well as “grant letters of marque and reprisal” and “make rules concerning captures on land and water,” to the legislative branch in Congress. 
  • Article I, section 8, clause 18 enumerates the power to “make all laws” that “shall be necessary and proper” for effectuating those other enumerated powers itemized above in the tariff context. 
  • Article I, section 10, clause 2 prohibits states from imposing any imposts or duties on imports or exports except as necessary for inspections. 
  • In aggregate and in particular, the Constitution enumerates to the legislative branch the power to tariff. Hence, any claim of Presidential power to tariff must derive from delegated authorizations issued by Congress. This runs into the NonDelegation doctrine. 
  • Article I, Section I enumerates “all legislative powers” must be exclusively “vested in a Congress” not the executive or judicial branch of government. Thus, the act of a tariff imposition by the President must be both exclusively authorized by Congress and not be a “legislative act” within the meaning of Article I, Section 1. That construction depends largely on the Supreme Court’s construal of it over time, which is beyond the plain text of the Constitution.  
  • Short answer: had Trump stayed strictly within the tariff authorization delegations of Congress, and without looking like “making law” in the process, then his tariffs could win judicial assent. Trump’s failure to follow those guidelines — as advised to do by Commerce Secretary and Epstein Class graduate Howard Lutnick, whose sons profit billions from the court striking down the tariffs — buried his chance at tariff approval by the Supreme Court, unfortunately. 
Read full Article
See More
Available on mobile and TV devices
google store google store app store app store
google store google store app tv store app tv store amazon store amazon store roku store roku store
Powered by Locals