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August 6, 2025

Welcome to The Lighthouse, the weekly email newsletter of the Independent Institute covering politics, economics, current events, and everything in between.

Dear Readers,

This week, we spotlight how President Nayib Bukele, already ruling under a state of emergency and with loyalists dominating the packed courts, has effectively scrapped presidential term limits, clearing the way for indefinite rule. While some have valorized Bukele as the leader who finally curtailed gang violence and brought a sense of order to a troubled nation, it has seemingly come at a steep cost, and the ends do not justify the means.

As our latest article by Sam Jenson argues, the situation in El Salvador is not just an isolated issue, but rather just the most recently visible unraveling of constitutional checks, press freedom, and rule of law norms worldwide, as a particular contingent longs for a resurgence of strongman politics.

Also this week, Caleb Petitt covers the latest legal challenges facing the Trump Administration’s tariffs.

Scott Beyer explains what happens when lawsuits become the first line of attack for consumer complaints (rather than the option of last resort). Spoiler: nothing good.

In a new podcast, Scott Atlas is joined by Larry Arnn of Hillsdale College to discuss the issues in higher education today.

Enjoy!

Jonathan Hofer
Managing Editor

Top picks this week
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** Term Limits Abolished in Bukele’s El Salvador ([link removed])
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** Authoritarianism by popular demand and the illusion of order ([link removed])
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** by Sam Jensen
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What starts as popular demand ends with … erased term limits? Bukele’s legacy is rewriting El Salvador’s constitution in his own image.
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** Trump’s Tariffs Could be in Trouble ([link removed])
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** by Caleb Petitt
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Trump’s beloved tariffs face a constitutional reckoning. Will the courts restore economic sanity and fiscally conservative principles?
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** More Lawsuits=More Insurance=Higher Prices ([link removed])
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** by Scott Beyer
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America’s lawsuit addiction is driving up insurance costs—and your vacation tab—with every frivolous claim. It’s time for tort reform to rescue our wallets.
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** PODCAST
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** Larry Arnn | Saving Education: Lessons from Hillsdale College | Ep. 52 ([link removed])
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In the latest episode of The Independent, Scott talks with Larry Arnn, president of Hillsdale College. They discuss controversial college issues, including free speech and the admission of foreign students.
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** FEATURED AUDIOBOOK - OUT NOW!
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** Let Colleges Fail ([link removed])
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** The Power of Creative Destruction in Higher Education ([link removed])
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** By Richard K. Vedder
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Everyone knows American universities are more expensive and less impressive than ever. But no one has come up with a plan to fix them … until now. Let Colleges Fail: The Power of Creative Destruction in Higher Education ([link removed]) —now available as an audiobook!—is the hard-hitting instruction manual America needs in order to save its institutions of higher learning.
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