Freedom of the Press

President Trump

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

Washington D.C.  20500

28 January 2017

 

 

Dear President Trump,

 

As a senior in high school, I took what is probably my favorite class of all time, AP US Government and Politics. We were required, for the final exam, to pretty much memorize all of the amendments to the US Constitution. Some were more difficult to remember the particulars of, but the first amendment was easier to remember, as both political parties invoke it often to bolster their side of an issue. Anyway, it's as follows:

 

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

I would like to write you several letters concerning different parts of this amendment, but today my point is about the freedom of the press. Quite frankly, this is something that has concerned my since the early days of your candidacy: the way you treat newspapers and websites that have written unkind things about you. Unless they publish something that is absolutely false about you, in which case I would support a decision to pursue litigation against them, it is unconstitutional for you to discriminate against them in any way. This is true when you were just a businessman, but it is even more true now that you are the president of the United States. To persecute journalists, even if they are writing horrible things about you, sets a dangerous precedent. I'm not the only one who thinks so. 

Benjamin Franklin said, "Freedom of speech is a principal pillar of a free government: When this support is taken away, the constitution of a free society is dissolved." John Adams, the second man to occupy the position you now hold, had this to say: "“But none of the means of information are more sacred, or have been cherished with more tenderness and care by the settlers of America, than the press.” Finally, Thomas Jefferson states that, “Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost.” 

Sir, I am not the only one who firmly believes in an unrestricted press in America. I stand in good company. 

Regards,

K