We are witnessing and unprecedented attack on #Freedom and #FreeSpeech in the #USA #USpol
1. Executive Order on "Restoring Freedom of Speech and Ending Federal Censorship"**: On his first day in office, Trump issued an executive order that, while purporting to protect free speech, was viewed by critics as a tool to suppress speech he dislikes and rewrite history to suit his agenda[1][3][4].
2. Undermining Internet Freedom Programs**: On the same day as the "Free Speech EO," Trump issued an executive order entitled “Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid,” which is undermining programs that support technologies that enhance privacy, fight censorship, and support internet freedom globally[2].
3. FCC Reinstatement of Complaints Against Broadcasters:
Two days after issuing the Free Speech EO, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) reinstated complaints against broadcasters ABC, CBS and NBC over their coverage of the 2024 election, alleging bias[2].
4. Threats to Deport Protesters:
The administration threatened to deport non-citizens who participated in pro-jihadist protests and cancel the student visas of Hamas sympathizers on college campuses[2].
5. Banned Words List for Government Agencies:
The administration circulated lists of banned words for staff of government agencies, prohibiting the use of terms like "diversity" and "integrity"[2].
6. Censoring Displays of Pictures:
The administration directly censored the display of pictures of women and people of color[2].
7. Restrictions on Access to Books: The Defense Department reportedly restricted access to books on topics from immigration to psychology in its school system serving military families[2].
8. Sweeping Crackdown on Federal Communications About the LGBTQ+ Community: Trump ordered a sweeping crackdown on federal communications about the LGBTQ+ community, removing LGBTQ+ resource materials from government websites and placing new restrictions on how federal employees can discuss or speak to LGBTQ+ people or even use words such as "sex" or "gender"[3].
9. Restricting Gender Identity on Official Documents:
Trump ordered that LGBTQ+ Americans may no longer identify as transgender on passports and other documents[3].
10. Criticism of the News Media: Trump has continued his criticism of the news media, calling journalists the "enemy of the people" and suing various media organizations over journalism he claims was libelous or unfair[1][3].
Citations:
[1] https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2025/2/10/trump-accused-of-leading-a-multipronged-attack-on-us-media
[2] https://cdt.org/insights/when-it-comes-to-free-speech-the-trump-administration-should-follow-its-own-order/
[3] https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2025-01-26/trump-free-speech-executive-order-critics-respond
[4] https://www.justsecurity.org/106608/free-speech-executive-order/
[5] https://www.aclu.org/news/human-rights/the-targeted-chaos-of-trumps-attacks-against-international-human-rights-law-and-justice
[6] https://www.npr.org/2024/10/21/nx-s1-5134924/trump-election-2024-kamala-harris-elizabeth-cheney-threat-civil-liberties
[7] https://www.aclu.org/trump-on-surveillance-protest-and-free-speech
[8] https://www.brookings.edu/articles/donald-trump-has-threatened-to-shut-down-broadcasters-but-can-he/