Condemning Recent Attacks on the Free Press: A Call to Action

In a resolution passed by the House of Representatives on May 6, 2025, Congress condemned recent attacks on the free press by President Donald J. Trump and reaffirmed the United States' commitment to preserving and protecting freedom of the press as a cornerstone of democracy.

Background

A free and independent press is fundamental to the preservation of democracy, ensuring government accountability, an informed citizenry, and the protection of fundamental rights. President Trump has taken direct action to harm and restrict press freedoms, using inflammatory rhetoric in his speeches and on social media.

Specific Actions

• Accusing media outlets such as The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, MSNBC, CNN, ABC, CBS, and NBC of 'illegal' behavior during a speech at the Department of Justice.
• Claiming CNN and MSNBC networks are 'political arms of the Democrat Party' during a speech at the Department of Justice.
• Excluding the Associated Press from the White House press pool access due to disputes over naming conventions, leading to legal challenges concerning First Amendment violations.
• Filing a lawsuit against CBS News over a '60 Minutes' interview with Vice President Kamala Harris, alleging biased editing and calling for CBS to lose broadcast licenses.
• Seeking to defund National Public Radio and Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), including launching a Federal Communications Commission probe and issuing an executive order instructing the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to cease providing direct and indirect funds to either broadcaster.
• Refusing to take questions from NBC News reporters, claiming the network is 'discredited'.
• Seeking to impose the Administration's policy preferences on independent news organizations by forcing PBS to eliminate its diversity, equity, and inclusion office using threats of government funding cuts.

International Implications

The United States has historically been a global leader in championing press freedom and condemning censorship. However, the current actions by President Trump have raised concerns about the country's commitment to these values.

Calls for Action

• Strongly condemn President Donald J. Trump's attacks on the press, including efforts to delegitimize and restrict journalistic institutions.
• Reaffirm the essential role of a free press in preserving democracy and ensuring governmental accountability.
• Urge the executive branch to respect the rights of journalists and allow them to perform their duties without fear of retaliation.
• Call for continued efforts to secure the release of the 11 USAGM journalists imprisoned abroad.
• Express solidarity with journalists who face threats, harassment, or violence as a result of their commitment to truth and public service.

A Reaffirmation of Values

The House of Representatives' resolution is a call to action for the country to reaffirm its commitment to press freedom and democratic values. It is essential that we stand strong in defense of these fundamental rights, both at home and abroad.