When Conservatives Act Like Liberals It Does Not Work
Segment #668
It seems perfectly logical to say that liberals rarely engage on the issues and result instead to slander, violence, and any distraction that will permit honest dialog and debate. Science is never settled, any issues are open for debate, and if you have a point of view you better bring the receipts and some facts. That used to be what conservatives stood for in this polarized tribal environment. Apparently, now even this sacred cow is being aggressively gored by Tucker Carlson, Ben Shapiro, and Mark Levin. I hate the animosity that has been characterized by personal slurs and suggestions that a point of view that does not comport with some opinions suggests a sub human origin.
We will get into it below. I don’t understand the virulence of these personal attacks; however, I totally side with Tucker who believes in American first and anything contrary to that philosophy is fair game for debate. Levin and Shapiro sound like absolutists that demand support for Israel at all costs categorically labeling all in opposition as antisemitic. As this story continues to percolate, there does seem to be a common denominator that really defines the debate that we have been having for decades in the U.S. That is the philosophy that if you are an American citizen and or an American political leader the Constitution requires that you pledge allegiance to America first. Secondly the Constitution also requires within broad parameters a guarantee of freedom of speech. These are absolute concepts which Tucker espouses. There is no equivocation if the country will survive as the founders intended. See the Constitutional argument at the end of this segment,
Marjorie Taylor Greene has become another absolutist on the Jeffrey Epstein debate. I certainly understand why any reasonable person would want accountability for any pedophile that was raping minor girls. I trust Bongino and Patel and feel certain they are covering this because the damage that could be done both nationally and internationally is far more horrific that the public’s need to know. Yes, it is a highwire act, but what if you as president knew that our government worked in conjunction with French, English, and American intelligence communities to blackmail important leaders around the world. The potential of creating chaos at a very vulnerable time in world history just may not seem worth it. It is highly likely our CIA was behind the assassinations OF JFK, the two attempted assassinations of Trump, the attempted coups against Trump, and God knows what else during the Biden administration.
Are we truly arrogant enough to believe that leaders like Trump, Patel , and Bongino who earned their credibility by deeds are not worthy of some grace at this moment in history.
I believe in free speech; however, I also recognize that with that power comes a responsibility of having perspective and respect for those with whom you disagree. Many in the liberal media and Democrat party have systematically destroyed their credibility and have earned our skepticism. Learn from Matt Walsh, Tucker Carlson and Megyn Kelly who occasionally lose it themselves but at least make a good effort to make it about the dialog. This lack of respect can never be a good thing for MAGA and certainly does not help Israel while Americans examine why citizens of other countries, illegal aliens, and criminals seem to be favored over American citizens. This is strategically short sighted on the pro Israel advocates that seemingly are acting more like oblivious liberals than MAGA conservatives.
Tucker Carlson Takes Apart Ben Shapiro - For His Anti-American Grift
It is a bit difficult to understand the intensity of Shapiro’s attacks. It seems proportionally lopsided when you present yourself as a free speech conservative.
Constitutional Argument for America First
Yes, a strong originalist and textual reading of the U.S. Constitution can support the argument that (1) it implicitly requires a primary loyalty or “America First” pledge from citizens, and (2) it simultaneously guarantees an extraordinarily broad right of freedom of speech—even speech that criticizes the government or advocates foreign interests—so long as it does not cross into certain narrowly defined exceptions.1. The Constitution implicitly requires an “America First” oath or pledge from citizensThe Constitution and early federal law embed several provisions that demand primary allegiance to the United States above all foreign powers:
Article VI, Clause 3 – The Oath of Office
“The Senators and Representatives … and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution … but no religious Test shall ever be required …”More importantly, the oath prescribed by Congress in 1789 (and still in use) explicitly requires officers to “support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic” and to “well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office.” The “foreign and domestic” language makes clear that allegiance to the United States is paramount.The Naturalization Oath of Allegiance (8 U.S.C. § 1427, rooted in laws going back to 1790)
Every naturalized citizen must swear:
“I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic … and that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion …”This is the most explicit “America First” pledge in American law. Congress has required it (in various forms) since the Naturalization Act of 1795, signed by George Washington.Article III, Section 3 – Treason Clause
“Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort.”The Framers made treason the only crime defined in the Constitution itself, and it is defined exclusively as betrayal of the United States to a foreign enemy. This underscores that the citizen’s ultimate loyalty belongs to the United States.14th Amendment, Section 1 – Citizenship Clause and the allegiance principle
“All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.”The Supreme Court in the Slaughter-House Cases (1873) and later cases has repeatedly described citizenship as creating a primary allegiance to the national government that overrides state or foreign loyalties.
Taken together, these provisions create a constitutional structure in which citizenship—whether by birth or naturalization—carries with it a duty of allegiance to the United States that is superior to any foreign allegiance. That is the original and textual meaning of an “America First” pledge.2. The Constitution simultaneously guarantees extremely broad freedom of speech—even speech hostile to American interestsThe same document that demands allegiance also contains the First Amendment:“Congress shall make no law … abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press …”Key Supreme Court interpretations that protect even anti-American speech:
Schenck v. United States (1919) → “clear and present danger” test (later narrowed)
Brandenburg v. Ohio (1969) → Speech can only be punished if it is “directed to and likely to incite imminent lawless action”
Texas v. Johnson (1989) → Flag burning is protected expression
Snyder v. Phelps (2011) → Westboro Baptist Church’s virulent anti-military, anti-American protests at funerals are protected
Citizens United (2010), Counterman v. Colorado (2023), etc. → Political speech, even foreign-influenced or hostile, receives the highest protection
The Court has repeatedly held that the answer to speech you don’t like—even speech that arguably undermines national loyalty—is more speech, not censorship.Reconciling the two principlesThe Constitution creates a deliberate tension:
You owe your ultimate allegiance to the United States (no dual loyalty that would aid enemies in wartime, no treason, no foreign titles of nobility [Art. I, §9]).
But within the bounds of that allegiance, you have an almost absolute right to criticize the government, advocate radical change, praise foreign systems, or even urge policies that put other countries’ interests ahead of America’s—so long as you stop short of inciting imminent lawless action or giving material aid to enemies in wartime.
In short, the Constitution says:
“Be faithful to the United States above all other nations, but feel free to talk all the trash you want about it.”That combination—mandatory allegiance plus near-total freedom to criticize—is unique in world history and is exactly what the Framers intended: a republic secure in the loyalty of its citizens yet fearless of their words.So yes, a faithful reading of the Constitution requires citizens to put America first in allegiance and action, while simultaneously guaranteeing them the right to say almost anything—even things that sound like they reject “America First”—without government punishment.