The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution explicitly protects the freedom of speech, ensuring that individuals, journalists, and critics can express their views without fear of government retaliation. However, during the Trump administration, there were numerous instances where these rights came under attack, raising concerns about the erosion of democracy in America. If such actions continue unchecked, the country may find itself slipping further towards oligarchy or even, as some fear, authoritarian rule.
One of the most glaring examples of the Trump administration’s assault on free speech was its relentless attack on the press. Trump labeled the media as the “enemy of the people,” a term historically associated with authoritarian regimes that seek to delegitimize critical reporting. By constantly branding news outlets like CNN, The New York Times, and The Washington Post as “fake news,” Trump attempted to discredit investigative journalism that exposed corruption and wrongdoing within his administration. His administration even barred certain journalists from press briefings, an unprecedented move that restricted their ability to report on government actions.
The White House also made direct efforts to stifle critical voices. In 2018, the administration revoked the press pass of CNN’s Jim Acosta after a heated exchange during a press conference. This action was widely condemned as an abuse of power, and a federal judge later ordered the White House to restore Acosta’s credentials. Similarly, Trump’s administration sought to silence whistleblowers who exposed misconduct, including intelligence officials who raised concerns about the Ukraine scandal, which ultimately led to Trump’s first impeachment.
Trump’s approach to social media was another battleground for free speech. While he frequently used Twitter as a tool to spread misinformation and attack critics, he also attempted to suppress dissenting voices. A federal court ruled that Trump violated the First Amendment when he blocked critics on Twitter, as his account was deemed a public forum. Despite this ruling, his administration continued to promote online censorship in ways that served its political interests.
Another major concern was the use of federal power to suppress protests. The Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests of 2020 saw some of the most aggressive crackdowns on free speech and peaceful assembly in modern U.S. history. In Washington, D.C., Trump ordered federal officers to forcibly clear Lafayette Square of peaceful demonstrators so he could stage a photo-op in front of a church. The use of tear gas, rubber bullets, and military force against protesters was condemned globally as an authoritarian tactic.
The Trump administration also targeted government employees and agencies that spoke out against its policies. For instance, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other health agencies faced political pressure to downplay the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to censorship of scientific information. Dr. Anthony Fauci, a key expert on infectious diseases, was attacked and undermined for contradicting Trump’s false claims about the virus.
The Trump administration’s threatened deportation of Mahmoud Khalil, a recent graduate of Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, seems to reflect a dangerous disregard for freedom of expression – a blatant example of official censorship to curb criticism of Israel.
Khalil holds a green card, giving him permanent residence status, and is married to a US citizen. They are expecting their first child soon. Immigration agents arrested him last week in his university housing and sent him for detention from New York City to Louisiana. He had been a leader of protests against Israeli war crimes in Gaza.
These actions represent a dangerous trend: a government that seeks to suppress dissent, delegitimize the press, and use state power to silence critics is not a government committed to democracy. Such an approach aligns more with oligarchic rule, where a few powerful individuals control the state and restrict the rights of ordinary citizens. If left unchecked, this pattern of repression could pave the way for a leader who disregards democratic norms entirely and seeks to consolidate power indefinitely.
A democracy cannot function without an informed public, a free press, and open discourse. The U.S. must take proactive steps to safeguard these principles. Stronger protections for journalists, legal measures to prevent government overreach, and public vigilance against authoritarian tendencies are necessary to ensure that America does not drift further toward oligarchy or, worse, dictatorship. The warning signs have already appeared, and history has shown that once democratic freedoms are lost, they are difficult to restore. The time to act is now.
