Tag

#First Amendment

Violations of the constitutional protections for freedom of speech, press, religion, assembly, and petition. Includes government censorship, retaliation against journalists, suppression of protest, and chilling effects on free expression.

10 incidents

Updated May 20, 2026 Rule of Law
Critical Rights and Rule-of-Law Concern Ongoing

DOJ Indicts Southern Poverty Law Center for Hate-Group Monitoring Operations (May 2026)

Trump's DOJ indicted the SPLC — the nation's leading hate-group monitor — on fraud and money laundering charges for using paid informants to infiltrate white supremacist organizations, a standard law enforcement and investigative journalism practice. The SPLC pleaded not guilty on May 7–8, 2026. Legal experts called the prosecution 'as unprecedented as it is irregular.' The case is the most direct attack to date on civil society organizations that document extremism.

Sources
4
SPLCSouthern Poverty Law CenterDOJ weaponizationpolitical prosecutionvengeance tour
Updated May 20, 2026 Rule of Law
Critical Rights and Rule-of-Law Concern Ongoing

DOJ Indicts James Comey Over Instagram Photo in 'Vengeance Tour' Prosecution (April 2026)

Trump's DOJ indicted former FBI Director Comey for posting an Instagram photo of seashells reading '86 47,' claiming it was a death threat. Legal experts universally called it unprecedented political prosecution. Comey faces prison time for a social media post expressing opposition to Trump's presidency. The case is part of Trump's documented 'vengeance tour' targeting political enemies.

Sources
3
James ComeyDOJ weaponizationpolitical prosecutionvengeance tourFirst Amendment
Updated March 5, 2026 Press Freedom
Serious Rights Violation Ongoing

Systematic Attacks on Press Freedom: Journalist Arrests, Detention, and Deportation

A systematic pattern of press freedom violations including the arrest of journalists covering immigration enforcement, the deportation of a journalist to the country he fled due to death threats, and the detention of reporters in foreign countries covering US deportation operations.

Sources
7
press freedomjournalist arrestsFirst AmendmentdeportationDon Lemon
Updated March 26, 2026 Civil Rights
Serious Rights Violation Ongoing

Political Prisoners: Detention of Campus Activists for Pro-Palestinian Speech

At least five noncitizen activists and scholars were detained by ICE for pro-Palestinian campus activism or writings, with an estimated 300 student visas revoked. Internal documents confirmed the detentions were based on speech and protest activity, not immigration violations, and multiple federal judges ordered their release.

Sources
8
political prisonerscampus activismpro-Palestinianfree speechICE detention
Updated May 9, 2026 Civil Rights
Major Abuse of Power Ongoing

Coercion of Universities: Funding Freezes, Research Cuts, and Demands for Political Compliance

Billions in funding frozen or canceled to coerce universities into political compliance, with demands for protest suppression, admissions reform, and 'academic receivership' of specific departments. Columbia capitulated with a $221 million settlement; Harvard resisted and won a court order restoring $2.2 billion. NIH research funding was cut 24%.

Sources
6
academic freedomuniversity fundingHarvardColumbiaNIH
Updated May 9, 2026 Rule of Law
Serious Rights Violation Ongoing

Executive Orders Targeting Law Firms Representing Trump's Opponents

Unprecedented use of executive orders to punish four law firms for representing clients adverse to the president. All four orders were struck down as unconstitutional violations of the First, Fifth, and Sixth Amendments. The campaign chilled legal representation and coerced at least nine other firms into compliance deals that remain operative.

Sources
8
law firmsFirst Amendmentright to counselexecutive ordersretaliation
Updated January 15, 2026 Rule of Law
Serious Rights Violation Ongoing

Executive Order Sanctioning International Criminal Court Officials

The administration imposed escalating sanctions on ICC officials -- including judges and prosecutors -- for investigating US citizens and allies, obstructing international criminal accountability and drawing broad condemnation from the UN and international legal community.

Sources
6
ICCinternational justicesanctionsRome Statuteobstruction of justice
Updated March 25, 2026 Civil Rights
Serious Rights Violation Ongoing

Mass Student Visa Revocations Targeting Pro-Palestine Protesters

Approximately 1,700 student visas revoked in a campaign targeting pro-Palestine campus protest activity, with the State Department using AI screening and testifying that criticism of Israel could justify revocation. The campaign suppresses protected political speech through immigration enforcement.

Sources
7
student visaPalestine protestsfreedom of expressionFirst AmendmentColumbia University
Updated March 26, 2026 Civil Rights
Major Abuse of Power Ongoing

DOGE-Directed Elimination of Federal DEI Programs and Mass Firings of DEI Workers

Executive Order 14151 directed elimination of all federal DEI programs. DOGE implemented a three-phase purge, firing thousands of workers — including many who had no current DEI role — using AI tools to identify targets. A December 2025 class-action lawsuit alleges the purge targeted minorities, women, and LGBTQ+ employees.

Sources
9
DOGEDEIexecutive ordercivil rightsfederal workforce