Four opinions as regards Trump, the U.S. Supreme Court (birthright citizenship), the N.C. Supreme Court (Leandro) and the local concern about AI Data Centers and local leadership.

Andrew Walker: The Most Revolting Words Ever Uttered by a sitting U.S. President

(Editor’s note: One word from the president’s message has been censored in this letter. It was not censored in the president’s Truth Social post.)

The most revolting words ever uttered by a sitting U.S. president: “Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!! Open the F*’ Strait, you crazy bastards, or you’ll be living in Hell – JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah. President DONALD J. TRUMP.”

Never ever wonder in future why the rest of the world has zero respect and trust for our country anymore. They look on in horror.

Read more at: https://www.salisburypost.com/2026/04/07/letter-the-most-revolting-words-ever-uttered-by-a-sitting-u-s-president/

Gene Nichol: The surprising ‘Friend of the Court’ –

I realize that what I’m about to say doesn’t sound quite so significant to a normal person. As I write it, I understand that it sounds like a newsflash from East Nerdsville. But I’ve been a law professor for over four decades, And, in our neighborhood, this doesn’t really happen.

My great colleague, Eric Muller, has submitted an amicus brief in the birthright citizenship case (Trump v. Barbara) that is proving to be of immense consequence. And it is creating something of a national stir. Rachel Maddow did a long segment on it. (That’s right, on an amicus brief.) The Atlantic discussed it extensively. And then, the jackpot, Muller’s effort worked its way, repeatedly, into last week’s Supreme Court oral arguments themselves. High cotton. For folks like us, this is the equivalent of U. Conn. freshman Braylon Mills’ closing three-pointer against Duke. (Sorry, tasteless.)

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, for example, interrupted the Trump Administration’s Solicitor General John Sauer to ask:

“What do we do with Professor Muller’s amicus brief and the historical record and the fact that even at times in this country where we understood that parents were declared enemies of the United States — I’m talking about World War II and the Japanese internment — babies born in that circumstance were given birthright citizenship? So the concept of the allegiance of the parents wasn’t driving (the decision)?”

Later, counsel for the ACLU would remind that “Professor Muller’s amicus brief tells us that even when people who were deemed “enemy aliens” had babies in these detention camps everyone agreed that those babies were U.S. citizens.”

Muller’s ears were assuredly on fire. When I asked him, he reported he felt “gobsmacked.”

Eric Muller, along with being a tremendous teacher, is an internationally recognized expert on the removal and imprisonment of people of Japanese ancestry in the United States from 1942-1946. He’s published four books on the subject. His brief focused on “the history of citizenship conferred on the children of enemy aliens, (and) other people of Japanese ancestry who had renounced or never held U.S. citizenship.” It was important, in his view, that the high court be “properly informed” of our past “and the ethical considerations stemming from that history.” Even if, I might add, our present executive branch seeks to ignore, or distort, the narrative.

This is, assuredly, some of the best work that can be done by a law professor. As I understand it, even the president of the nation was in the audience. Here’s hoping it doesn’t mean the University of North Carolina ends up on some list.

Muller has some experience with retaliation. In 2021, he was removed as chair of the governing board of the UNC Press in an unprecedented move by the UNC Board of Governors. President Peter Hans offered no objection. One (unnamed) member of the BOG explained to NC Policy Watch: “Muller has had a target on his back for a couple of years.” He had taken a position opposing the illegal sweetheart payout to the Sons of Confederate Veterans over Silent Sam. “Professors are supposed to be teaching their classes and not making statements to the press about what we do” — the BOG member made clear. That’s the Board of Governors charged with protecting freedom of expression on the UNC campus.

But I’m guessing Muller sleeps well.

Gene Nichol is a professor of law teaching courses in the constitution and federal courts at the University of North Carolina School of Law.

Read more at: https://www.salisburypost.com/2026/04/07/gene-nichol-the-surprising-friend-of-the-court/

Scott Huffman: I condemn NC Supreme Court decision in Leandro case

(Editor’s note: The North Carolina Supreme Court’s decision on Thursday ends the long-running Leandro school funding litigation. The court ruled 4 to 3 and voided the 2022 ruling that had ordered the transfer of funds toward the state’s court approved school improvement plan, leaving funding authority with the General Assembly.)

I want to put North Carolina’s children first, and the GOP once again has proven that our kids aren’t their priority.

The North Carolina Constitution promises every child the right to a sound basic education. This ruling is an outrage because it gives the Republican-controlled General Assembly even more cover to keep doing what it has done for the last 17 years: underfund public schools and fail our children.

I am a product of a good public education. I know firsthand what strong public schools can mean for a child, a family and a community. I also remember when Governor Jim Hunt was leading our state and public education was a real priority. North Carolina understood then that if you want a better future, you invest in your children. Education was treated as the foundation of progress, not an afterthought. Governor Hunt’s legacy is closely tied to early childhood education, teacher quality and public school improvement.

I am outraged because this decision rewards nearly two decades of neglect by the Republican controlled General Assembly. I am outraged as a parent, and I am outraged for the families in my community who want nothing more than a decent school, a fair opportunity and a real future for their children. For 17 years, Republican control has meant public education is underfunded. teachers are overworked, underpaid, classrooms are overcrowded and communities are left behind. This decision does not erase that failure. It protects it. North Carolina still does not have a new state budget. We were the only state that has not passed one, and our teacher pay remains near the bottom in the nation. Republicans are not governing. They are starving public education on purpose and this court protected Republicans from accountability.

But for years, Republicans have taken this state in the opposite direction. Instead of fully funding the schools that serve the overwhelming majority of our children, they keep pushing taxpayer money into private school voucher schemes that weaken public education and leave too many families behind.

I cannot understand why Republicans are so determined to destroy public education in North Carolina. Our state cannot move forward by looking backward. We cannot build a strong economy, strong communities or a sustainable future by refusing to provide our children the education they need and deserve.

Today’s students are tomorrow’s workers, leaders, parents and citizens. If we fail them now, we fail the future of this state.

I am running because I believe in fully funding public schools, supporting teachers and making sure every child in North Carolina has the opportunity to succeed. Our children deserve better than this decision, and they deserve leaders who will fight for them.

Scott Huffman is running for the North Carolina House of Representatives.

Read more at: https://www.salisburypost.com/2026/04/03/my-turn-i-condemn-nc-supreme-court-decision-in-leandro-case/

Bianca Muñoz looks at the controversy over an AI Data center in Rowan County and her concerns about leadership. As she opinions – “I’m just saying… this didn’t start yesterday.” 4/5/2026

I’ve been wanting to write something about the AI data center and all the controversy around it… as always, just trying to look at things from a different perspective.

First, I’ll be honest, I do use AI. Not heavily, but I use it. Just like I use Facebook, streaming platforms and other social networks… all of which rely on servers somewhere. So I fully understand the concern about what AI data centers can do to communities. especially low-income, rural areas. That impact is real.

What I’m noticing now is a lot of people directing their frustration at the commissioners who support these projects. And I get that. But I also can’t help but think back…

I’ve had concerns about leadership before. Specifically, when Greg Edds and Aaron Church supported decisions that led to land being cleared near the hiking trail at Lake Corriher Wilderness Park. I said it then, and I still feel it now: if leaders are willing to destroy nature so easily, what else are they willing to sacrifice in our county?

I’m just saying… this didn’t start yesterday.

Now here’s the part I’m trying to say carefully, because I know people will have feelings about it.

A lot of folks say they’re against AI, but still support businesses that actively use AI to create their content, flyers, social media posts, marketing, all of it. And I get it, supporting small businesses matters. But at some point, we have to acknowledge the contradiction. Right?

Another thing I realized during my time in Leadership Rowan is this: capitalism is at the center of everything in our society, our county, our towns, all of it. Power and decision making largely sit with people who already have wealth and influence. And while some may have built that over time, the reality today looks very different than it did decades ago.

Yet at the same time, I see people getting comfortable, personally and professionally, with the very individuals who are directly tied to decisions that impact our communities, including support for these data centers.

So where does that leave us?

Because the truth is, signing petitions and showing up to meetings is not enough on its own. Real change requires deeper action, like being intentional about where we spend our money and who we support.

And I know that’s not easy.

But please don’t come at me with “what are you doing?” Because the reality is, people with the least often sacrifice the most when it comes to aligning their choices with their values. It’s usually those with more privilege who struggle to give things up.

Just something to think about.

Read more at: https://www.salisburypost.com/2026/04/03/my-turn-looking-at-the-bigger-picture/