Jay Sekulow: President Obama’s Arrogance

It’s a tactic that has become the hallmark of his presidency. President Obama declaring a change in U.S. immigration law. No Congressional action. No court decision. Just another executive decision. This time changing immigration law to permit young people who were brought to this country illegally to stay, rather than face deportation.

We should have seen this one coming. The Wall Street Journal points out that President Obama actually revealed his intentions a year ago. “In a speech last year to La Raza, a Hispanic civil rights organization that has criticized the White House for the lack of progress on immigration reform, President Obama mused that he’d like ‘to bypass Congress and change the laws on my own.’ He added, ‘Believe me, the idea of doing things on my own is very tempting. I promise you.’”

Well, the temptation he talked about then proved to be too much for the president. Last Friday, he gave into political temptation. Another power grab.

President Obama and his imperial presidency. Acting alone in deciding which laws to enforce, which to ignore. A constitutional scholar who isn’t following the constitution. A president who doesn’t worry about the separation of powers, circumventing the traditional checks and balances of our constitutional system.

It’s this kind of arrogance that already has drawn a sharp rebuke from many.

Sen. Lindsey Graham called Obama’s action “at best unwise and possibly illegal.” Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) said he is planning to file suit against the Obama Administration to challenge the president’s action.

And respected commentator Charles Krauthammer put it more bluntly: “Beyond the pandering, beyond the politics, beyond the process – is simple constitutional decency. This is out-and-out lawlessness. You had a clip of the president himself say months ago ‘I cannot do this on my own because there are laws on the books.’ Well, I have news for president – the laws remain on the books. They haven’t changed.”

For this White House and this president, there is only one branch of government – the executive branch. And, no doubt, the president will continue to rely on what many have called his executive command authority to push through his agenda.

For more information about Jay Sekulow visit at http://jaysekulow.blogspot.com

New Ordinance Allows Nativity Scene on Public Property

We were contacted this past December by a Chelsea, MI Council Member who asked us to assist in drafting an ordinance to regulate private use of public space. He contacted us because Chelsea would not allow a live nativity scene on city-leased property during a December festival. Councilman Anderson wanted an ordinance in place to protect such activities. As such, he contacted ACLJ attorneys who were able to provide him with information regarding the First Amendment and the Equal Access Act. 

Specifically, we discussed Lamb’s Chapel, argued by ACLJ Chief Counsel, Jay Sekulow, a case in which a unanimous Supreme Court held that the First Amendment requires religious groups to be treated equally with other groups that use public facilities. The Court upheld two principles. First, denying religious organizations equal access to, and use of, public facilities for speech activities violates the Free Speech Clause of the First Amendment. Second, it is not a violation of the Establishment Clause (what some people mistakenly call “separation of church and state”) for a school to treat religious organizations equally with other organizations. These principles apply to all public facilities, not just school facilities, which have been opened for use by community organizations. 

Based on such case law, ACLJ attorneys were able to assist the Council Member in drafting an ordinance that would regulate private use of public space. The outcome was favorable, and we just received word that the drafted ordinance passed unanimously. 

We are pleased with this outcome and will continue working to protect the rights of religious organizations to ensure that they are treated equally with other organizations when public space has been opened for use by community organizations.

Jay Sekulow: SCOTUS Supportive of AZ Immigration Law

It was a very good day for the State of Arizona at the U.S. Supreme Court.
During oral arguments before eight Justices (Justice Elena Kagan recused herself from this case), it became clear that a majority of the Justices seem to believe that Arizona has a legitimate role in the enforcement of laws designed to protect its citizens and borders.

In the run-up to today’s arguments, there’s been much written and said about how the Arizona immigration law is unconstitutional – that a provision that requires state law enforcement officials to verify a person’s legal status when they’re stopped on suspicion of committing a separate offense is somehow discriminatory and unconstitutional.

But at the outset, the Chief Justice asked the Solicitor General if Arizona’s S.B. 1070 involves racial or ethnic profiling. The government repeatedly responded: “No, it does not.” The fact that the government conceded that the law does not involve racial or ethnic profiling is very significant because it undercuts an argument that’s been repeatedly used to challenge the immigration measure.

In fact, there was skepticism from several Justices about the Solicitor General’s argument that it was not appropriate for Arizona to act to protect its citizens and border, especially since the federal government has failed to do so. “You can see it’s not selling very well,” Justice Sonia Sotomayor told the government’s attorney. She told him that she was “terribly confused” by his arguments.

In a debate today on FOX News, I told Megyn Kelly that I am optimistic that the Arizona law will be upheld by a majority of the high court.

If You Believe in Your Religion, Believe in the Inspiring Thoughts of Jay Sekulow

Jay Alan Sekulow is a well-renowned attorney with fervour for protecting religious freedom - liberty -democracy.

Jay Sekulow is the Chief Counsel for the ACLJ (American Centre for Law and Justice), one of the most esteemed law and educational institutions that primarily focuses on constitutional law. He is a renowned connoisseur on religious liberty, respected broadcaster and accomplished Supreme Court lawyer. For almost a quarter of a century, he has been on the front lines - passionately working to safeguard the constitution as well as religious freedoms in the Congress, in the public places and in the courts.

At the U.S Supreme Court, Sekulow has argued 12 cases, including many cases that have become part of lawful landscape in the sphere of religious emancipation litigation. In the Mergen’s case, he cleared the way for government school students to form religious organizations and Bible clubs in their school premises. In McConnell vs. FEC, he made sure that the constitutional rights of American Youth remain protected with a decision by High Court promising that minors can also participate in political campaigns.

The National Law Journal Twice Rewarded Sekulow as One of the “Hundred Most Influential Attorneys Worldwide.”

Initially, nobody could have anticipated what started as a mission to safeguard religious rights in America would involve universal outreach. In the world, where Christians face violence, discrimination and above all death for practicing their faith, it soon became evident that something has to be done on an international level. Jay Sekulow deeply believes that religious liberty and freedom is a universal right and a global concern. He established the European Centre of Law and Justice in Strasbourg, France- “the seat of European Court of Human Rights.” He serves as the Chief Counsel of European Centre of Law and Justice (ECLJ). He has incorporated ECLJ offices in Russia, Zimbabwe, France, Kenya and Pakistan.

Furthermore, Sekulow brings education and insight to listeners everyday with his national “call-in radio show- Jay Sekulow Live!, which is broadcasted in more than 850 FM stations, SIRIUS and XM radio and is streamed live on the ACLJ website. He also hosts a weekly TV show, ACLJ This Week, broadcasted on myriad networks nationwide including Daystar, Sky Angle and Trinity Broadcasting Network. He is a regular guest on nationally televised news shows on ABC, CNN, CNBC, PBS, NBC, CBS, MSNBC and FOX News.

That is not all; Sekulow has served as a faculty member for the Legal Education Office at the US Department of Justice. As an important faculty member, he instructed Assistant US Investigators and Attorneys in the First Amendment issues allied with prosecution of Obscenity. With the continuous commitment to education, Sekulow is devoted to training the next gen of religious liberty experts.

Undeniably, Sekulow’s inimitable litigation strategies have revolutionized religious freedom litigation. Jay Sekulow wisdom extends beyond the courtroom.

Jay Sekulow: One of the Most Renowned Evangelicals in America

Dr. Jay Alan Sekulow is a renowned defender of religious liberty and an acclaimed judicial attorney, who brings his nationally recognized knack and expertise to the Regent Law faculty, and renders current law students with the opportunity to contribute to the most eminent legal cases of our time. As a chief counsel for the ACLJ (American Centre for Law and Justice) - a leading national public interest law firm that specializes in the protection of religious and civil freedom and in the constitutional law, Mr. Sekulow has argued innumerable landmark cases before the United States Supreme Court that have since become segment of the legitimate landscape in the arena of religious liberty litigation. He is also a respectful and highly followed commentator and broadcaster.

Having argued 12 cases before the US Supreme Court, Mr. Sekulow has helped to create the legitimate landscape of America’s First Amendment jurisprudence. These milestone cases continue to influence the direction of religious litigation to date.

In the case of Westside School District vs. Mergens, Dr. Sekulow paved the way for public school students to form religious organizations and Bible clubs in the school campuses. In the Lam’s Chapel vs. Centre Moriches School District case, he defended the right of free speech for religious associations, ensuring that they be treated equally, when it comes to the utilization of public facilities.

Regent Law’s accordance with ACLJ facilitates students with a competitive opportunity and prospect to apply for positions assisting ACLJ lawyers. Furthermore, it provides the students with unparalleled opportunities to participate in historic projects such as ACLJ’s unanimous Supreme Court triumph in Pleasant Grove City vs. Summum case, wherein his argument resulted in First Amendment verdict clearing the way for Federal and State governments to accept permanent monuments for their selection- including 10 Commandments monuments- in public parks.

While the ACLJ, under the guidance of Jay Sekulow, initiated the mission to safeguard liberty in the US, and now its impact can be felt throughout the world. Believing that religious freedom is an international right, he incorporated the European Centre for Law and Justice in Strasbourg (France). Jay Sekulow serves as the Chief Counsel of ECLJ, with its offices in France, Pakistan, Kenya, Russia and Zimbabwe.

Many celebrated publications have noted Jay Sekulow’s contribution in the field of constitutional law, from Legal Times naming him one of “The 90 Most Accomplished Washington Attorneys of the Last Thirty Years to the National Law Journal naming him twice as one of the “100 Most Influential Attorneys in the World.” The Townhall Magazine recognized his unequalled record of achievement naming him to the “Townhall of Fame”, mentioning that Sekulow was one of the top and most trusted attorneys for religious liberty in the U.S.

Jay Sekulow’s influence extends far beyond US courtrooms. His daily FM show, Jay Sekulow Live! And the weekly TV program- ACLJ This Week reaches a huge audience who support the cause of religious liberty and life.

He is presently a member of the Board of Trustees for the Supreme Court Historical Society.

He is a frequent guest on the Sean Hannity Show.

He is an illustrious professor at the Regent Law School.

Jay Sekulow - A Man Of Pedigree

Many Americans have heard of Pastor Youcef, who has been in an Iranian prison for more than 860 days. There is a man who is relentlessly following Pastor Youcef’s case, he is none other than Jay Sekulow.

Jay was born on June 10, 1956; this 55 year old legal expert is known for handling difficult legal problems. Jay Sekulow is serving the nation as an attorney and chief counsel for one of the most exalted law firms in the country, the American Center of Law and Justice. Jay has dedicated his entire career in solving cases pertaining to religious freedom in the Supreme Court and his roaring voice and claims left his opponents speechless.

A glimpse about Jay’s Educational Background:

• Bachelor and a Doctor of Jurisprudence Cum Laude (Latin Honors) from Mercer University, Georgia, USA .
• Doctorate of Philosophy(PhD.) from Regent University, Virginia, USA (American Legal History)

An inspiring career:

• Jay Sekulow remains an inspiration for fresh lawyers and other co- solicitors and so far, his career is outshining.

As a lawyer:

• He started as an editorial staff member with Mercer Law Review
• He then started his law career as a tax lawyer, and he worked in the office of the Chief Counsel for the IRS (Internal Revenue Service). He was a key person for the United States Tax Department, and his name is in several yearbooks of United State Tax Court.
• In the year 1990, he was appointed as the director of The American Center of Law and Justice a Law Firm ,and to date he is still serving as Chief Counsel

As a celebrity:

• His voice is heard over more than 850 radio stations nationwide. He is hosting a call-in live show, “Jay Sekulow Live!” and the program focuses on legal and legislative battles in the United States.
• Jay hosts a television program too, known as “ACLJ this week!” broadcasted on daily basis through TBN and Daystar Channels.

Awards:

• 1994: got his name on National Law Journal’s Power list
• 1997: named in the list of American Lawyer’s Public Sector 45

Publications:

• So far, Jay Sekulow has authored six books from 1990- 2005; and all his writing is based on the legal system and the legal history of America.

There are not enough words to describe this American gem, who has dedicated his life fighting for the religious freedom and the liberty of people.

The Story of a Legendary Attorney – Jay Sekulow

The chief counsel of the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) Jay Sekulow is a name known for protecting the cause of religious liberty and freedom around the globe. As a successful attorney, he has submitted amicus briefs for various issues and has represented thousands of Americans.

Jay has also fought 12 cases in the Supreme Court, with some of them bearing landmark results which have revolutionized the area of religious liberties. With an unyielding belief in religious liberty, being an international right, he strives to fight injustices and discriminations against religious liberty around the globe.

A recent case of Jay and ACLJ involves the Arizona’s immigration law S.B. 1070 that targets illegal immigration being challenged by President Obama’s administration along with a federal appeals court. Jay has been garnering attention to this issue.

ACLJ International headquarters in Strasbourg, France is known as the European Centre for Law and Justice (ECLJ). Jay Sekulow international outreach is facilitated by offices around the world, which include those in France, Russia, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Pakistan and Israel. His international endeavors also involved an important part in defending Israel before the International Criminal Court at Hague.


Jay has many accolades being bestowed upon him due to his relentless work in the field of religious freedom. The TIME magazine named him as one of the"25 Most Influential Evangelicals" in America, where as Business Week termed the ACLJ as "the leading advocacy group for religious freedom."


He brings about; awareness and insight with the help of his call-in-radio show “Jay Sekulow Live!” Broadcasted on 850 channels, the program has thousands of Americans hooked on to it every night. Along with being quoted in leading newspapers, he is also a guest on national television where he expresses his views on various subjects affecting America.

Jay Sekulow has come a long way in his quest for religious freedom and has changed numerous lives around the globe.