Free Speech Under Fire: Greg Lukianoff Discusses the Battle for Free Expression on College Campuses

Free Speech Under Fire: Greg Lukianoff Discusses the Battle for Free Expression on College Campuses

Author: Stanford Law School June 26, 2025 Duration: 33:16

Amid escalating federal pressure on universities, Stanford Law School alum Greg Lukianoff, JD ’00, joins host Professor Pam Karlan for a sharp look at the free speech firestorms engulfing universities like Harvard and Columbia. First Amendment champion, president of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), and co-author of The Coddling of the American Mind, Lukianoff recently penned an essay for The Atlantic titled “Trump’s Attacks Threaten Much More Than Harvard.” In this episode, Lukianoff expands on his essay, breaking down the Trump administration’s tactics to punish elite institutions, from defunding threats and faculty interference to student visa crackdowns, while also calling out universities themselves for stifling dissent and eroding public trust in higher education.

Links:

Greg Lukianoff  >>> FIRE page

The Canceling of the American Mind >>> web page

The Coddling of the American Mind >>> web page

“Trump’s Attacks Threaten Much More Than Harvard” >>> The Atlantic page

Connect:

(00:00:00) Introduction of Greg Lukianoff

(00:05:01) Free Speech and Academic Freedom

(00:10:01) Challenges to Free Speech

(00:15:01) Legal Cases and Free Speech

(00:20:01) Free Speech and the Government 

(00:30:01) Future of Free Speech


Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.


Law is woven into the fabric of our daily existence, from the headlines we read to the personal decisions we make. Stanford Legal, from Stanford Law School, exists to unravel these complex threads, offering clarity and depth on the legal forces shaping our world. Rather than dry lectures, this podcast features conversations that delve into the real cases, ethical conflicts, and pressing questions at the intersection of law, government, and society. You’ll hear from leading legal minds like Professor Pam Karlan, whose expertise includes the constitutional "law of democracy" governing voting and political processes, alongside other scholars and practitioners. Each episode is built on the idea that understanding the law is crucial to understanding our culture and current events. The discussions are timely and substantive, examining how legal principles translate into tangible effects on communities and individuals. Tuning in provides a nuanced perspective on the news, moving beyond soundbites to explore the underlying statutes, court rulings, and debates. It’s for anyone curious about how legal frameworks influence everything from policy and civil rights to technology and everyday life. This isn't just academic theory; it's about the rules that define our shared reality. The Stanford Legal podcast makes that ongoing conversation accessible and engaging, offering listeners a deeper grasp of the systems that organize and often challenge our society.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Stanford Legal
Podcast Episodes
The New Supreme Court and Its Blockbuster Term with Pamela Karlan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:04
Pam Karlan, one of the nation’s leading experts on law and voting and the political process, discusses the new conservative-majority Supreme Court—and the potential consequences of its blockbuster term, including the dec…
Law Firms and Russian Profits with Robert Daines [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:03
Since Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, hundreds of the world’s leading companies, from investment banks to consumer goods, have shuttered their Russian operations. But Law firms have been slower to respond. Join us…
The Legacy of Justice Stephen Breyer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:37
The Legacy of retiring Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer is discussed by Stanford Law School Dean Jenny Martinez, who clerked for Breyer.