Urgent Call to Address Censorship in the Biden Administration

Urgent Call to Address Censorship in the Biden Administration

It has felt more like two years than a mere two months since the chaotic Trump administration assumed power. In contrast, the indecision and disorder of the Biden administration seem like distant memories. Nonetheless, a new study from the Media Research Center underscores the extensive censorship of American citizens orchestrated by Biden, serving as a stark reminder of how perilously close we came to losing essential freedoms.

The report unveils an alarming 57 initiatives led by the Biden White House aimed at suppressing the speech of its citizens. These initiatives spanned across an astonishing 93 government agencies.

Censorship Initiatives Revealed

The report highlights egregious violations of freedom of speech through various direct actions. One prominent example involves White House adviser Andy Slavitt, who pressured Amazon to remove books that criticized the government’s handling of COVID. There were also instances when the White House and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases intimidated Meta into censoring content related to COVID.

Additionally, the administration’s actions included more covert approaches, such as the State Department, under Secretary Antony Blinken’s direction, signing an agreement with more than 20 nations to enhance online censorship. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas attempted to establish a censorship initiative ominously named the ‘Disinformation Governance Board.’

Outsourcing Censorship Efforts

To exacerbate the situation, whenever the Biden administration could not silence American voices directly, it often turned to nonprofit organizations that were willing to act as private, anti-free-speech enforcement agencies. The Media Research Center’s report meticulously details how taxpayer dollars funded left-leaning organizations like the Poynter Institute and Newsguard. These organizations generate biased reports that aim to deter advertisers from supporting conservative news outlets.

Positive Changes on the Horizon

On a more optimistic note, numerous programs identified in the report have already faced significant cuts within just two months. Importantly, a new administration under President Trump champions free speech. Trump has made it clear that he will not tolerate government censorship during his tenure.

On January 20, the day he took office, Trump signed an executive order affirming, among other things, that it is the policy of the United States to safeguard the constitutional right of the American people to engage in protected speech. This order directly addresses many concerns highlighted in the Media Research Center’s findings. Although some architects of the censorship policies remain entrenched in the federal government, the Trump administration has effectively eliminated many easily reversible anti-speech measures.

Potential Risks Ahead

However, there is concerning news on the horizon. If a Democrat regains the presidency in four years, there is a real possibility that the dial on censorship could be turned back to unprecedented levels.

Proposed solutions are beginning to emerge, such as a bill introduced by Representative Harriet Hageman from Wyoming. This legislation would empower American citizens to sue federal employees who collaborate with external entities to suppress free speech. Hageman stated emphatically that the government cannot perform indirectly what it is barred from doing directly, highlighting the Biden Administration’s efforts to pressure social media companies into curbing free speech.

The Need for Legislative Action

It is crucial to recognize that while President Trump may issue executive orders, lasting reform necessitates congressional action to safeguard free speech not just for today, but also for future generations. Trump’s election, alongside a Republican Congress, offers a temporary reprieve from the ongoing assault on free speech that Democrats have perpetuated over the years. Nevertheless, the next two years provide a pivotal window for Republicans to enact concrete protections for speech. Should they fail to do so, this reprieve risks being squandered.

There exists a natural desire to forget the Biden administration’s impact on free speech, akin to how many wish to forget the hardships of the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, in both scenarios, it is imperative that we remember and address the gaps and vulnerabilities that allowed for such violations of speech rights.

Those who aim to undermine free speech within and outside the Biden administration have not relinquished their ambitions; they are regrouping and preparing for another offensive. Now is the critical moment for advocates of free speech to construct robust defenses to withstand these forthcoming challenges.