Research Associate, Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life
Research Associate at the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life and a constitutional lawyer
PROFILE
Jesse Merriam
Guest
FROM Jesse Merriam
To the Point
Pastors to Protest Rules on Political Speech "I have the right to speak biblical truth without being punished for it," says the Rev. Jody Hice in Bethlehem, Georgia in today's Wall Street Journal . This coming Sunday, some thirty ministers across the country are planning to endorse a candidate for president. It's a challenge to the Internal Revenue Service and laws that exempt nonprofits from taxes if they don't engage in political activity. But what if the interpretation of "biblical truth" means endorsing John McCain for President. Jesse Merriam is a research associate at the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life .
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To the Point
The longest US war: Will Trump send more troops to Afghanistan? The Trump White House is divided over the Pentagon's request for more troops in Afghanistan—where the US has been fighting for the past 16 years. Is there a formula -- either for "victory" or a political settlement? Is there an end in sight for America's longest war?
To the Point
Venezuela spirals into economic and political chaos Venezuela, a country whose potential for prosperity is unmatched, finds itself on the verge of civil war. What sustains the repressive government? With time running out, guest host León Krauze looks at what the international community can do to pull the country from the edge of collapse.
To the Point
Terrorism and tweets, hate speech and murder Just days before an election, Britain is coping with a rash of deadly terrorism, and Prime Minister Theresa May is on the defensive. And again today, President Trump has tweeted criticism of the Mayor of London. Later, a double murder in Portland, Oregon has revealed the ugly past of a supposedly “progressive” city. One immediate question: is “hate speech” protected by the First Amendment?
To the Point
Trump's 'America First' goes missing abroad In the Middle East, President Trump is changing some policies of the Obama Administration—and reversing his own campaign attacks on Islam as a religion that "hates us." We hear about his visit to Saudi Arabia and what's at stake for the rest of his foreign excursion.