This summer, the Office of Senator Rand Paul and The Fund for American Studies (TFAS) are co-hosting the 13th annual Capitol Hill Lecture Series. Since 2012, this series is made possible by the generous support of the Einhorn Family Foundation. The lectures bring together hundreds of D.C. interns to engage with leading voices on the principles of liberty, free markets and limited government.
The 2025 lecture series on “Courageous Leaders: Challenging the Status Quo” kicked off with remarks from Jonathan Turley, a distinguished author, columnist, FOX News Media contributor and law professor at George Washington University. Turley, a renowned advocate for the First Amendment, has a notable history of testifying before Congress, including during the impeachments of Donald Trump and Bill Clinton.
His lecture, titled “Free Speech in an Age of Rage,” examined the themes of his recent book, “The Indispensable Right: Free Speech in an Age of Rage.” He shared valuable insights on what free speech truly means in modern times.
Turley used Michelangelo’s “The Creation of Adam” to explore the idea that humans are inherently creators, made by a creator to continue the act of creation.
From monumental feats like the Great Wall of China to the smallest doodles, he emphasized that everyone ‘creates,’ and our greatest creation is ultimately ourselves. He argued that free speech is essential for this ability. Without it, our capacity to express, build and shape who we are becomes stifled. Turley illustrated how vital expression is to personality and identity, asserting that without free speech, we lose a part of our humanity.
“We have an insatiable appetite for speech, for creation, for projecting part of ourselves in the world around us,” said Turley.
Framing the modern era as an “age of rage,” Turley warned of the dangers of letting anger and fear drive our actions, calling sedition a monster unleashed by unchecked emotion. However, he left students with a hopeful message about courageous leadership, urging them to see beyond rage and toward what defines us as human: the belief that we can be better. Students were challenged to lead with courage by defending free expression, embracing their role as creators and striving to rise above the noise of anger with clarity and conviction.
This summer’s series will continue with additional lectures including:
- Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky
- Jeffrey Rosen, President & CEO of the National Constitution Center
- Marty Makary, United States Commissioner of Food and Drugs
Visit TFAS.org/CHLS to learn more about future events and watch the full lecture below.