Trump Targets Biden: Unpacking the Free Speech and Legal Manipulation Claims
On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at prohibiting federal authorities from infringing upon American citizens’ free speech. This directive mandates an investigation by the Attorney General into potential free speech violations during President Joe Biden’s administration.
The executive order instructs that no federal officer, employee, or agent may unconstitutionally abridge the free speech of any American citizen. It also requires the Attorney General, in consultation with other executive agency heads, to investigate how federal government actions over the four years of the Biden administration could have infringed on free speech and to propose remedial actions based on the findings.
This move aligns with President Trump’s longstanding criticism of what he terms the “censorship cartel,” reflecting concerns among his supporters about government pressure on social media platforms to remove lawful posts, particularly regarding COVID-19 and election security. Notably, tech leaders like Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg have expressed support for free speech protections, echoing these concerns.
However, critics argue that the executive order overlooks the dangers of misinformation, recalling instances where false claims have led to real-world consequences, such as the events following the 2020 election. The impact of this order on federal agencies responsible for addressing misinformation, especially those safeguarding election security, remains to be seen.