[Official] Censorship from governmental actors thread

Sec. 2. Policy. It is the policy of the United States to: (a) secure the right of the American people to engage in constitutionally protected speech;

(b) ensure that no Federal Government officer, employee, or agent engages in or facilitates any conduct that would unconstitutionally abridge the free speech of any American citizen;

(c) ensure that no taxpayer resources are used to engage in or facilitate any conduct that would unconstitutionally abridge the free speech of any American citizen; and

(d) identify and take appropriate action to correct past misconduct by the Federal Government related to censorship of protected speech.

Sec. 3. Ending Censorship of Protected Speech. (a) No Federal department, agency, entity, officer, employee, or agent may act or use any Federal resources in a manner contrary to section 2 of this order.
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I’m curious how Trump would define “the American people” here. And he talks about “constitutionally protected speech”, but then why does the EO specifically refer to American “citizens”, as if the Constitution only pertains to them?

These points seem especially relevant given the Trump administration’s efforts to limit who counts as a citizen and otherizing foreign nationals.

 

@Os Trigonum ..isn't it true that a lot of libertarians and fascists want to portray basic rights like due process as only reserved for citizens and not any people within the borders of the US even though that's what the Constitution says?
Do you agree with that?

 

Its worrisome given the fascist/libertarian movement has routinely used the argument that someone is a non citizen to violate their bill of rights like denying due process. You were defending Gitmo right? So the precedent makes it worrisome.

 

Like Hitler, Putin, and the other dictator types, Trump wants to control what the news and media say, Trump wants to have control over all news and media, to make them report only the stories he wants the people to hear and believe. He wants to punish, censor, or punish anyone daring to tell the public what he wants to keep hidden.

True free-speech emergency’: alarm over Trump’s ‘chilling’ attacks on media

Warning comes as FCC, chaired by Trump ally and Project 2025 author, orders investigations into US media groups

“The first amendment exists to stop the government from shutting down speech it doesn’t like. A weaponized FCC is trying to do exactly that. The FCC chairman is weaponizing the power of the agency President Trump appointed him to lead, in order to go after the president’s perceived enemies and chill critical coverage,” Aaron said.

“The government should never interfere with such editorial decisions or news content. Yet the FCC has sent threatening letters and launched investigations over editorial decision-making, reporting on law-enforcement activities, and basic factchecking. This is chilling and dangerous.”


https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/24/trump-free-speech-media-attack