Tags

chilling effect

Government actions that discourage the exercise of constitutional rights — particularly free speech, press freedom, and protest — through fear of retaliation, prosecution, or loss of status, even when no direct censorship occurs.

Related incidents

2 incidents

Rescission of ICE Sensitive Locations Policy — Churches, Schools, and Hospitals Open to Raids

The rescission of the sensitive locations policy removed decades-old protections for churches, schools, hospitals, courthouses, and shelters from immigration enforcement. The change unleashed a …

  • On January 20, 2025, the Trump administration rescinded the DHS Protected Areas policy via executive order 'Protecting the American People …
  • Arrests of people with no criminal record surged 2,450% in Trump's first year — from 6% of ICE detainees in January 2025 to 41% by December …

Weaponization of Security Clearances for Political Retaliation

A systematic campaign of security clearance revocations targeting political opponents, critics, and former officials who investigated or prosecuted Trump, including 51 intelligence officials, …

  • On January 20, 2025, Trump revoked security clearances of 51 former intelligence officials who signed a 2020 letter stating the Hunter Biden …
  • On March 22, 2025, a second executive order revoked clearances from former officials including Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, and individuals …