First Amendment News

Senator Amy Klobuchar and Representative Adam Schiff, USA Today, February 16, 2021, introduced legislation to put muscle behind the U.S. commitment to press freedom around the world. They cited the brutal murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi in a Saudi Consulate, one of the 2,658 journalists and media employees murdered over the last 30 years. The legislation mandates the withdrawal of aid to governments attacking journalists and puts sanctions on individuals and leaders responsible

A House of Representatives subcommittee is conducting an inquiry into the U.S. Supreme Court’s practice of issuing unassigned decisions with no explanation. “Shadow docket” describes the rulings on emergency petitions issued more frequently during the Trump administration. The docket has been used on issues ranging from abortion and religious gatherings during the pandemic to death row executions. (Courthouse News Service, February 18, 2021, by Jack Rodgers) Docket cases are decided without arguments or full briefings

Lead impeachment manager and former constitutional law professor, Rep. Jamie Raskin, countered arguments from former President Donald Trump’s defense team that Trump was protected by the First Amendment in his statements on January 6 that resulted in his impeachment for inciting an insurrection. Raskin said that Trump went well beyond yelling fire in a crowded theater. As someone with responsibilities to prevent fire, he actually sent a mob to set the theater on fire and

The First Amendment does not stand in the way of Trump’s impeachment and conviction, writes FAC Board President Peter Scheer.

Open the Government, February, 2021, published a timeline showing former President Donald Trump’s disregard for transparency during his term in office. At the same time, they published recommendations for restoring accountability. They have 18 core principles essential to restoring transparency under the following categories: open government, ethics, balance of power, whistleblowers, responsive government and pandemic preparedness and response. For related FAC coverage, click here, here and here.