First Amendment
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See Trump's free speech failure: Melber's definitive breakdown
MSNBC· 2025-09-18 00:10
Trump administration is clearly on defense now over these proven attacks on free speech and confessions, admissions of improper motive by senior officials. The New York Times reporting there are now these measures to silence opponents that the White House wants to pursue. That would be unamerican full stop, but probably unconstitutional.We will see exactly what they try to do, but that Trump is pursuing them by invoking Kirk's killing. Tonight, there are clues about a new order Trump may push that would try ...
X @The Wall Street Journal
The Wall Street Journal· 2025-09-17 22:07
Legal & Political Analysis - The opinion piece questions whether the Attorney General possesses a basic understanding of the First Amendment [1] - The piece suggests the Attorney General, Pam Bondi, mistakenly believes "hate speech" is illegal [1] - Charlie Kirk is presented as someone with a better understanding of the First Amendment than Pam Bondi [1]
Why the First Amendment doesn't protect employees fired for online reactions to Charlie Kirk's death
NBC News· 2025-09-17 15:35
there's sort of been this crackdown on people uh within the administration at at the government level. We're also though seeing it it widespread people's lives and jobs being impacted based on how they reacted things that they shared. What do you make of that.What does that ultimately mean for free speech and and is there any legal protections if that happens to someone. >> Free speech doesn't come into play if a private employer terminates someone for something they post on social media. The only thing the ...
Charlie Kirk firings: Why the First Amendment does not protect private employees
NBC News· 2025-09-17 13:19
whole reaction surrounding it about free speech. Um there there's sort of been this crackdown on people uh within the administration at the government level. We're also though seeing it it widespread um people's lives and jobs being impacted based on how they reacted, things that they shared.Uh what do you make of that. What does that ultimately mean for free speech and and is there any legal protections if that happens to someone. >> Yeah, I'm hearing a lot about this and really people are very divided.You ...
Claire McCaskill: AG Bondi trashes Kirk's legacy by threatening 'hate speech' crackdown
MSNBC· 2025-09-17 12:22
Free Speech Debate - The report highlights a controversy surrounding Attorney General Pam Bondi's stance on hate speech, suggesting the Department of Justice would target those engaging in it [1] - Critics, including conservatives and free speech advocates, argue that so-called hate speech is protected by the First Amendment [1][2] - The debate extends to discussions about censorship, disfavored viewpoints, and the legal definition of hate speech in America [1][2] Political Reactions and Implications - President Trump's response to Bondi's remarks is described as a stream of consciousness, shifting from a fighter mode to a concierge approach [5] - The report suggests that the administration's reaction to the Charlie Kirk assassination is being used as a lever of power [12] - Concerns are raised about the potential weaponization of government to target organizations viewed as leftist [9] Media and Public Discourse - The report mentions ABC paying $16 million for a form of hate speech, raising questions about media responsibility [3] - The free press is commended for warning against the dangers of suppressing speech [8] - The discussion extends to battles on college campuses regarding speech codes and politically protected speech [9] Potential Consequences - Concerns are raised about a slippery slope, where a stupid thing said by an attorney general quickly escalates to extreme measures [7] - The report suggests that individuals may face consequences for saying things deemed inappropriate, including being reported to their bosses and potentially fired [10][15] - The legacy of Charlie Kirk is discussed in the context of free speech, with concerns that Bondi's actions threaten that legacy [14][15]
Bondi sparks conservative backlash with pledge to target 'hate speech'
MSNBC· 2025-09-17 04:26
Legal & Political Landscape - Charges were filed against Tyler Robinson for the murder of Charlie Kirk, with prosecutors seeking the death penalty [1][2] - FBI Director Cash Patel faced tough questioning from Congress regarding the Kirk shooting investigation and the Epstein files [2] - Criticism of Pam Bondi's comments on hate speech highlights tensions between free speech principles and responses to the Kirk assassination [19][20][21] - Concerns raised about potential government overreach in policing speech, with comparisons to thought police [29] Key Figures & Reactions - FBI Director Cash Patel's performance during congressional testimony was perceived as aimed at maintaining President Trump's confidence [16] - Pam Bondi faced backlash from conservatives for suggesting law enforcement should target hate speech [20][21] - Elected officials, including Speaker Johnson and Governor Shapiro, voiced concerns about the weaponization of free speech [23][29] Epstein Files - FBI Director Cash Patel testified on the Epstein files [2] - The Epstein files was a key part that Cash Patel was pressed on [9]
‘He’s the biggest offender out there’: Trump escalates crackdown on free speech, sues NYT for $15B
MSNBC· 2025-09-17 00:13
Amid the problems facing the country today, President Trump filed a new lawsuit against the New York Times for articles in a book that he thinks was unfairly negative towards him. He claims there were deliberate falsehoods about him and that also they did not note his successes. As a company, the New York Times is worth about $9 billion.Trump's lawyers claim to be seeking the madeup number of $15 billion. That is, for context, larger than the largest liel ruling ever. But if they did win that number, it wou ...
Attorney General Bondi says Justice Department will target users of hate speech
NBC News· 2025-09-16 21:59
Do you see more law enforcement going after these groups who are using hate speech and putting cuffs on people so we show them that some action is better than no action. >> We will absolutely target you, go after you if you are targeting anyone with hate speech, anything. And that's across the aisle.Now, Attorney General Pam Bondi is going so far as to say that the Justice Department would go after anyone who engages in what she deemed hate speech. The attorney general later clarifying on social media that ...
Joe: Don’t use Charlie Kirk’s death to gain political points
MSNBC· 2025-09-16 21:16
Political Violence & Free Speech - The report condemns political violence as an attack on free speech and American democracy [1] - The report highlights multiple instances of political violence against individuals from both sides of the political spectrum [1] - The report criticizes those who condone or downplay political violence depending on the victim's political affiliation [2] Hypocrisy & Double Standards - The report accuses some individuals of hypocrisy for selectively condemning political violence [1][2] - The report points out the selective outrage regarding political violence, depending on the victim's political affiliation [1] Call for Consistency - The report calls for a consistent condemnation of political violence, regardless of the victim's or perpetrator's political affiliation [2] - The report emphasizes that celebrating political violence is unacceptable [2]
AG Bondi says DOJ will target people who use hate speech
MSNBC· 2025-09-16 20:34
First Amendment & Free Speech - The discussion revolves around the First Amendment and its protection of speech, including the complexities of defining and prosecuting "hate speech" [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] - Legal precedents, such as the Brandenburgg case (1969), set specific limits on speech that isn't protected, primarily incitement to imminent lawless action [4][5][7] - Concerns are raised about creating new exceptions to the First Amendment, especially in the context of social media and mass media [5] - The definition of speech that incites violence requires specificity, imminence, and capability to carry out the threat [7][8] Political & Social Commentary - The White House is accused of targeting groups and institutions they blame for protests and violence, raising concerns about how they plan to restrict these groups and what laws they will use [11] - There's criticism of Republicans for potentially engaging in "cancel culture," despite previously condemning it [15][16] - Concerns are voiced about the government targeting people based on their ideology, drawing parallels to the IRS targeting conservative organizations [20][21] - The discussion highlights the emotional and politically charged atmosphere surrounding the issue of free speech and its limitations [17][26][27] Key Figures & Organizations - Pam Bondi's statements on hate speech are being clarified and walked back, indicating potential overreach [10][22][25] - George Soros and Open Society Foundations are mentioned as targets of potential RICO charges for allegedly funding protests and violence [13] - Charlie Kirk's past statements denying the existence of hate speech in America are referenced [2][24]