Trump signs executive order on speech rights
Free speech advocates are sceptical of the new President’s order.
US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday aimed at safeguarding free speech and ending online censorship. The move comes amid allegations by Trump and Republican allies that the Biden administration suppressed speech on social media platforms. Critics argue, however, that many of these accusations centred on government actions against misinformation about vaccines and elections, which courts have upheld as lawful.
Despite his push for free speech protections, Trump’s history complicates the message. Over the years, he has threatened and sued critics, including journalists, political opponents, and media organisations. Most notably, his lawsuits against Hillary Clinton and several major media outlets have either been dismissed or remain unresolved. Additionally, Trump faced social media restrictions following the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, which was fueled by false election claims.
Legal experts, such as David Kaye, have dismissed Trump’s order as symbolic. Kaye criticised the move as contradictory, pointing to Trump’s labelling of the press as the “enemy of the people” while claiming to champion free speech. He argued the federal government is already prohibited from interfering with First Amendment rights, rendering the order largely redundant.
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