THE ISSUE

On February 11, 2025 the Trump administration used federal power to punish his ideological opposition. The Federal Communications Commission mounted investigations against democratic free speech organizations, and some groups say that this was a politically motivated action. These investigations, targeted towards democratic services show clear bias. Furthermore, the Trump administration barred the associated press from accessing certain white house events and then stated, "It's a privilege to cover this White House." 

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Additionally, Trump states, “The Associated Press just refuses to go with what the law is,” even though there is no law that requires the AP to say the "Gulf of America." The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression comments, "Punishing journalists for not adopting state-mandated terminology is an alarming attack on press freedom," This silencing of the associated press is very unjust, and needs to be changed. 

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To further add to this, the Associated Press estimates four billion people view their news, and the exclusion from the White House greatly affects what people see on many news outlets, as they try to conform with the administrations standards.

We, the undersigned, demand:

Immediate limitation to the government's ability to suppress free speech organizations

A protection of first amendment rights towards reporters and the press

We are a united country, and free speech is essential to our democracy. 

Sign this petition if you believe in your first amendment rights.