Verisign only operates the root DNS for .com and .net. There are other root DNS servers outside the US that would thumb their nose at a US court order.
Of course, the domain name would have to end in a foreign country code. And at this point, it would be difficult to move Free Republic outside the US and obscure the link with the current operators.
As I understand it from the way it was explained to me, Panama obscures owners etc.