In the 1995 film, The American President, the fictionalized President Andrew Shepherd (played by Michael Douglas), says:
“America isn’t easy. America is advanced citizenship. You’ve gotta want it bad, ’cause it’s gonna put up a fight. It’s gonna say, ‘You want free speech? Let’s see you acknowledge a man whose words make your blood boil, who’s standing center stage and advocating at the top of his lungs that which you would spend a lifetime opposing, at the top of yours.’”
I felt a lot of pride when I watch that film, because free speech and protecting it was a universally accepted American ideal. It cut deep into all political and cultural dividing lines. Nobody questioned it.
But today, free speech and our freedoms enshrined in the Constitution are under attack. The far right and the Trump administration ARE trying and taking action to restrict speech from anyone that speaks in a way they don’t like. Their version of the First Amendment is “you are free to be as long as you speak like me.” This is wrong and dangerous for our country.
The Constitution Was Written to Stop Exactly What Trump is Doing
Don’t take my word for it, below is a short list of the ways the Trump administration is trying and taking action to restrict speech from anyone that speaks in a way they don’t like:
• News media (e.g., Jimmy Kimmel) are threatened and/or attacked for what they can or do say.
• Corporations are threatened and/or attacked for what they can or do say, or their business maneuvers are blocked, unless they appease Trump.
• Funds are withheld from universities unless they abide by what Trump wants them to say or teach.
• U.S. citizens peacefully demonstrating are hit with pepper balls and tear gas by Border Patrol and ICE.
• The State Department has revoked the visas of at least six foreign citizens it accuses of celebrating the assassination of Charlie Kirk. (Note: I condemn political violence of any form. The death of no one should be celebrated, even if we abhor and speak out vigorously against what that person says or stands for).
• Reporters are being barred from working inside the Pentagon because the agency has imposed a new access policy requiring journalists to sign off on restrictions — including pledging not to solicit or publish unauthorized information and accepting limited movement within the building.
Sadly, I could make this list longer. The Founders warned us about tyranny. Are we paying attention?
How Do We Fight Back? Get Involved and Vote!
Many of the Trump administration attacks to free speech are being challenged in the courts, and he is losing often. But he is moving at a fast pace and on multiple fronts. The courts can’t keep up. I believe the best way to fight back is to organize like-minded patriots and get out the vote. It is through the ballot box that we send these assaults to the first amendment and our freedoms to the dustbin of history. One way you can get involved is with No Kings Twin Cities. Check them out for upcoming events, and opportunities to get involved.
