Today American democracy is more at risk than at any point since the 1960’s. Nothing makes that point stronger than the President of the United States abruptly ordering the removal of major traditional news media from covering the White House. Telling CNN, MS Now and Politico they are no longer welcome at the White House. Trump thinks he owns the place…he is only a temporary resident.
The founders of our country purposely made the First Amendment of the Constitution a protection of speech, which includes freedom of the press from government inference. The question here is whether government power is exerted because of disagreement with someone’s viewpoint. What Trump tried today is significant because it restricts access based his view of the outlet’s coverage.
Let’s not forget the Trump administration tried to eliminate federal funding for NPR and PBS. Also, pressure was put on universities and colleges over speech. Actions involving protesters and demonstrators. Restricted access for particular news organizations. The Federal Communications Commission took actions involving broadcasters criticized by Trump.
Trump has repeatedly criticized journalists and outlets. Federal judges have issued rulings and findings regarding First Amendment violations issued by the Trump administration in 75 cases involving speech, religion or the press.
Today’s misdirected action by Trump fits right into his other efforts to “undo democracy”. Let’s just list a few: 1. trying to overturn the 2020 presidential election. 2. trying to put the federal government in greater control of elections. 3. removing independent inspectors general 4. increasing presidential control over independent agencies. 5.exerting greater control over the Justice Department…firing government officials who don’t follow his whims. The list grows with each passing day as Trump destroys our democracy.
We must fight for the news organizations that Trump threw out of the White House to protect our freedom of speech and press.