Source: The Atlantic
by Conor Friedersdorf
“While out of power, the American right was unified in complaining about the left’s speech policing. Now that Republicans control the White House and Congress, free-speech rights and values are dividing the coalition. One camp thinks Republicans should refrain from policing speech; the other favors policing the left’s speech. The second camp seems ascendant, unfortunately, while the first has failed to turn its beliefs into policy. … the idea that ‘turnabout is fair play’ is the best policy to protect speech, let alone the only way to spare the right from future abuse, is nonsense. The best method to secure free speech, for all Americans, is to pass laws that safeguard expressive rights — both now, under Trump, and in the future, regardless of who inhabits the White House. If Republicans are serious about protecting speech, they could pass such laws. And all of the Democrats who have criticized Carr’s comments as an attack on speech could help.” (09/25/25)