AAGC Joins Leader Schumer, Senator Murphy, Rep. Crow for Press Call to Introduce The NOPE Act
Bill To Protect Americans From Political Prosecutions, Free Speech Crackdowns
Washington, D.C. – Today, Americans Against Government Censorship Executive Director Cole Leiter joined Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT), U.S. Representative Jason Crow (D-CO-6), and representatives from Protect Democracy for a press call on the introduction of the No Political Enemies (NOPE) Act, a bicameral bill to protect individuals and organizations, including nonprofits, faith groups, media outlets, and educational institutions, from politically motivated harassment and prosecution by the federal government.
As speakers on the call highlighted, the NOPE Act would help hold government officials accountable for their attacks on free speech by providing new tools to Americans who speak out to protect themselves. During its first year in office, the Trump Administration has waged a campaign to silence dissent and stop opposition, including pushing for criminal investigations into political opponents, threatening elected officials with violence, and cutting funding for critical social service organizations.
“Everyday, Americans Against Government Censorship works to hold the Trump Administration accountable when they abuse their power to silence dissent and punish their opponents, and we are proud to support the No Political Enemies Act to ensure Americans who speak out have the tools to protect themselves,” said Cole Leiter, Executive Director of Americans Against Government Censorship. “This Administration’s campaign to silence dissent has bruised our freedoms. But through aggressive actions like this bill we can stop them from fundamentally reshaping this country into a place that is less free and more hostile to Americans living out their obligation to speak and take action when the government has gone too far. “
“Freedom of speech is the bedrock of American democracy and as the Trump administration drives America towards authoritarianism, it is more important than ever to affirm the rights of the people to stand up and speak out for what they believe,” said Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer. “The NOPE Act would protect citizens and organizations from political persecution at a time when Trump uses the Department of Justice and other agencies as attack dogs to target his perceived enemies. Congress must protect the power of the First Amendment and pass this critical legislation.”
“President Trump - and the loyalists who carry out his orders - think they can weaponize the federal government to target people who speak out against the regime with total impunity,” said Senator Chris Murphy. “They’re going after elected officials and public figures, but their real goal is to intimidate the millions of everyday Americans who oppose Trump’s political agenda into silence. Our bill gives those who are speaking truth to power the tools they need to defend themselves if the regime comes after them – and includes serious, enforceable legal consequences for the Trump loyalists who are carrying out his campaign of retribution.”
“I went to war three times for this country to defend the rights of every American, including those who I may disagree with, because that is who we are as a country. The President is trying to use the full force of the federal government to suppress free speech rights. I won’t remain silent as the President and his administration go after their political opponents and stifle dissent,” said U.S. Representative Jason Crow.
