#first-amendment
27 entries with this tag
Trump Handed His Acting AG a Stack of News Articles with "Treason" Written in Sharpie — The DOJ Then Tried to Drag Post and Journal Reporters Before a Grand Jury, and Backed Down
The Washington Post reported on June 23, 2026, that Trump's Justice Department issued grand jury subpoenas this spring to compel reporters from The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal to testify under oath in a leak investigation — then withdrew them earlier this month after the two newsrooms challenged them in a secret legal fight in the Eastern District of Virginia. The targets were Post national security reporter Ellen Nakashima and three unnamed Wall Street Journal reporters. CNN reported that Trump personally pushed acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to issue the subpoenas, handing him a stack of printed articles with the word "Treason" written across them in Sharpie. The leak hunt was driven by Trump's anger over carefully sourced stories warning of the risks of attacking Iran — stories that turned out to be prescient. Compelling a journalist to reveal sources before a grand jury is extraordinarily rare; the National Press Club called it "one of the most aggressive actions against a free and independent press in recent memory." It followed a deliberate dismantling of press protections: in April, AG Pam Bondi rescinded the Biden-era policy shielding reporters' records, and in January the FBI searched the home of Post reporter Hannah Natanson and seized her devices. No reporter testified — but the DOJ offered no explanation for the withdrawal, leaving open whether the subpoenas will simply be reissued.
No Kings Turns One: While Trump Holds a Cage Fight on His Birthday, America Responds with Jane Fonda, Patti Smith, and 500 Watch Parties
On June 14 — Trump's 80th birthday, the one-year anniversary of the first No Kings protest, and the day of his UFC cage fight on the White House lawn — the No Kings Coalition responded with "Rise Up, Sing Out: A Concert for the First Amendment." Jane Fonda, Patti Smith, Bette Midler, Rufus Wainwright, Joy Reid, and drag queen Peppermint performed at The Town Hall in New York City, livestreamed to nearly 500 watch parties in living rooms, churches, breweries, and community centers across the country. The Committee for the First Amendment — originally formed in 1947 during McCarthy, relaunched by Fonda in 2025 — co-hosted with Indivisible and the No Kings Coalition. The movement that began with 5 million a year ago, grew to 9 million in March 2026, now pivoted from mass marches to hyper-local infrastructure. While Trump watched cage fights behind bulletproof glass, America sang.
Lead Prosecutor in Comey Seashells Case Steps Aside — A Former Republican Committeeman With No Federal Criminal Experience
Matthew Petracca, the lead federal prosecutor in the case against James Comey over an Instagram photo of seashells, has stepped aside. Petracca was a former Republican county committeeman and family lawyer from New Jersey whose prior federal experience was prosecuting Medicaid fraud. He was the last man standing after more experienced prosecutors left the case. Even Pam Bondi — before Trump fired her — thought the seashells case was too weak and pushed for Virginia charges instead. Then Blanche took over and rammed it through.
Colbert's Last Show: 11 Years, 1,800 Episodes, Silenced — Trump Celebrates "The Beginning of the End"
Stephen Colbert's Late Show aired its final episode — 11 years and over 1,800 episodes, ended after Paramount paid Trump $16M and got its merger approved. The finale drew 6.74 million viewers — the show's all-time weeknight record. Trump posted at 1:52 AM calling Colbert "a dead person" and "a total jerk," then followed up: "May they all Rest in Peace!" about other late-night hosts. He called the show "very poorly rated." It just set a viewership record.
Trump Calls Reporting "Virtual TREASON" After Intelligence Shows Iran Retained 70% of Its Missiles
U.S. intelligence assessments revealed Iran retained ~75% of its mobile launchers and ~70% of its missile stockpiles despite weeks of bombing — and restored access to 30 of 33 Hormuz missile sites. Trump called the reporting "virtual TREASON" and accused journalists of "aiding the enemy." The DOJ had already subpoenaed Wall Street Journal reporters for their Iran war coverage.
DOJ Whistleblower Reveals Prosecutors Were Ordered to Rush a "Legally Deficient" SPLC Indictment — Zero Convictions Across the Entire Retribution Agenda
A DOJ whistleblower revealed that senior leadership ordered prosecutors to fast-track a "legally deficient" indictment of the Southern Poverty Law Center despite their objections. This is the latest in Trump's retribution campaign — Comey, Letitia James, Bolton, the SPLC, law firms, former intel chiefs, sitting senators — and not a single target has been convicted.
DOJ Indicts Comey Over a Photo of Seashells — After First Indictment Was Thrown Out
Trump's DOJ indicted former FBI Director James Comey for a second time — now over an Instagram photo of seashells spelling "86 47" on a beach. The first indictment (false statements to Congress) was thrown out after a judge ruled the prosecutor was unlawfully appointed. The charges: threatening the president — via a shell arrangement. Comey's lawyer will argue vindictive prosecution.
FBI Investigated NYT Reporter Who Wrote About Kash Patel's Girlfriend Getting an FBI SWAT Escort
FBI Director Kash Patel's bureau opened an investigation into New York Times reporter Elizabeth Williamson — who wrote about Patel giving his country singer girlfriend FBI security and transport — to determine if she broke federal stalking laws. FBI agents interviewed the girlfriend, searched databases for information on the reporter. DOJ officials killed the probe, finding no legal basis and calling it retaliation.
Judge Tosses Patel's Defamation Suit: Calling Him a "Nightclub Regular" Is "Rhetorical Hyperbole"
A federal judge dismissed FBI Director Kash Patel's defamation lawsuit against ex-FBI official Frank Figliuzzi, who said Patel was "visible at nightclubs far more than the seventh floor of" FBI HQ. The judge ruled it was "rhetorical hyperbole" — not defamation. The next day, Patel filed a new $250 million lawsuit against The Atlantic over its 26-source exposé on his drinking.
Visa Applicants Must Set Social Media to "Public" — Government Screening Your Posts to Decide Entry
The State Department now requires visa applicants across 15+ categories to make all social media profiles public for government review. Refusing means visa denial. The ACLU, Brennan Center, and EFF say it violates the First Amendment and chills free speech worldwide.
Hegseth Holds Pentagon Worship Services, Tells Troops Iran War Is "God's Divine Plan"
Defense Secretary Hegseth led evangelical worship services at the Pentagon and told commanders to tell troops "President Trump has been anointed by Jesus to light the signal fire in Iran to cause Armageddon." Over 200 active-duty members reported religious coercion.
Pentagon Evicts All Reporters After Judge Strikes Down Press Rules
After a judge ruled the Pentagon's press restrictions unconstitutional — finding they were designed to weed out "disfavored journalists" — Hegseth retaliated by closing the Correspondents' Corridor and removing all media offices from the building.
White House Tried to Block Bill Maher's Mark Twain Prize — Called It "Fake News"
After reporters revealed Bill Maher was chosen for the Mark Twain Prize, the White House called the Kennedy Center to block the award. Press Secretary called it "fake news." The Kennedy Center defied the White House and gave Maher the prize anyway.
Nashville Journalist Detained 16 Days by ICE for Covering Immigration — Stripped, Doused in Chemicals, Isolated
Estefany Rodríguez, a Spanish-language reporter who covers ICE for Nashville Noticias, was arrested without a warrant while her husband parked at a gym. She spent 16 days detained: 5 in isolation after guards falsely claimed lice, stripped naked and doused in chemicals.
FCC Weaponizes "Equal Time" Rule Against Late Night — Reversed 20 Years of Precedent
The FCC reversed a 2006 precedent exempting talk shows from equal-time rules. Late night hosts can no longer interview political figures without rival candidates demanding airtime. CBS blocked a Colbert interview. The FCC opened enforcement against The View.
Trump Demands NBC Fire Seth Meyers — FCC Chair Reposts the Demand
Trump posted that NBC should fire Seth Meyers "IMMEDIATELY" for mocking him. Less than an hour later, the FCC Chairman — head of the independent agency regulating NBC's broadcast license — reposted Trump's demand without comment. He then visited Trump that weekend.
MyPillow CEO's LindellTV Given White House and Pentagon Press Access — While Real Journalists Are Evicted
Mike Lindell's conspiracy-promoting LindellTV was given White House press room access and Pentagon press corps credentials — alongside Gateway Pundit and Epoch Times. Meanwhile, AP was banned, photographers were evicted, and the Pentagon closed its Correspondents' Corridor.
FCC Chair Threatened ABC: "Easy Way or Hard Way" — Kimmel Suspended, Then Reinstated
After Kimmel's monologue on the Charlie Kirk assassination, FCC Chair Brendan Carr threatened: "We can do this the easy way or the hard way." ABC affiliates pulled the show. ABC suspended Kimmel. Trump celebrated. 400+ artists signed an ACLU letter. Kimmel returned to 15.3M YouTube views.
Ordered Prosecution of Flag Burning — Protected Speech Since 1989
Trump signed an order directing prosecution of flag burning and deportation of noncitizen flag burners — despite two Supreme Court rulings (including one joined by Scalia) confirming flag burning is protected speech. The DOJ's test case collapsed.
Ordered Smithsonian to Align Exhibits with "Pro-America" Narrative
The White House ordered a review of 8 Smithsonian museums demanding they replace "divisive" content with "unifying" descriptions within 120 days. Historians called it "authoritarian censorship." A Black artist pulled her exhibition citing censorship.
Colbert Cancelled After Paramount Paid Trump $16M to Approve Merger — "A Big, Fat Bribe"
Paramount paid $16M to settle Trump's lawsuit, clearing FCC approval for its merger. Colbert called it "a big, fat bribe." 48 hours later, CBS cancelled his show. Trump celebrated: "I absolutely love that Colbert got fired." The Writers Guild demanded a bribery investigation.
Defunded and Shut Down NPR/PBS
Trump signed an executive order targeting NPR and PBS, calling them "radical left monsters." Congress then eliminated all $1.1 billion in public broadcasting funding, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting announced it would shut down.
War on Harvard and Higher Education
The administration froze $3 billion in Harvard research grants, revoked its foreign student certification, and demanded a $1 billion settlement — all in retaliation for the university refusing to submit to political demands on admissions and curriculum.
Executive Orders Targeting Law Firms Struck Down
Trump issued executive orders retaliating against law firms that represented his opponents — Perkins Coie, WilmerHale, Paul Weiss, and Jenner & Block. Over 500 law firms signed an amicus brief. Courts permanently struck the orders down.
Banned AP from White House Over "Gulf of Mexico"
The White House banned Associated Press reporters from Oval Office events because AP refused to rename the Gulf of Mexico as "Gulf of America." The U.S. dropped to 57th in the World Press Freedom Index — its lowest ranking ever.
Deployed Unidentified Federal Agents Against Portland Protesters
Trump deployed 750+ federal agents in camouflage without identification badges who used unmarked vehicles to snatch protesters off the streets. One protester was shot in the head. The mayor was tear-gassed.
Lafayette Square Bible Photo Op
Law enforcement tear-gassed peaceful protesters so Trump could walk to a church and pose holding a Bible he didn't read. Minutes before, he had threatened to deploy the military against American citizens.