We have three more years to look forward to.
In the parable of the frog dropped into a pot of tepid water, the frog makes no move to escape, even as the temperature steadily increases until it reaches a boil and the frog dies. The metaphor is clear: our country is at risk from a threat that increases incrementally, so much so that we will fully realize it only when it is too late.
Even from the earliest days of this administration , President Trump’s contempt for free speech has been evident. Belying his day-one executive order decreeing the restoration of free speech, in short order he banned the AP from the press pool for failure to conform to his renaming of the Gulf of Mexico, sued various media companies for slander or libel, worked to kill public radio and television and sought expulsion of foreign students who had expressed support for the Palestinian cause or against the war in Gaza. He has withheld grants worth billions of dollars from universities on the pretext of antisemitism on campuses, banned the words and concepts behind diversity, inclusion and equity and sought to purge American institutions of any reference to struggles in the nation’s history — whether in our finest museums or in our national parks and monuments. Those federal employees who hold different views disappear from the rolls of their respective agencies. In the last weeks, the president’s war on free speech has become even more blatant. He has ordered his attorney general to pursue his vendettas against those who have spoken out against him, whether it’s Clinton, Comey or Bolton and fired a prosecutor who found insufficient evidence to indict New York Attorney General Letitia James. His defense secretary has directed reporters covering the Pentagon to prescreen their stories. In the aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s death, he has declared war on all those who have spoken against Kirk. He has unleashed the Federal Communications Commission to use its power to coerce media companies to silence commentators and comedians critical of the administration.Bruce M. Botelho is a former Alaska attorney general who served both Republican and Democratic governors. Initially appointed by Gov. Wally Hickel, he was subsequently retained as attorney general by Gov. Tony Knowles. He was born in Juneau.The Anchorage Daily News welcomes a broad range of viewpoints. To submit a piece for consideration, email
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Opinion: Our kids deserve more than ‘run, hide, defend’The frequency of school shootings is the consequence of treating the 2nd Amendment as more sacred than our children.
Read more »
Opinion: There’s nothing magical in the machineOpinion: There’s nothing magical in the machine
Read more »
Opinion: Trump’s dream of infinite presidential powerOpinion: Trump’s dream of infinite presidential power
Read more »
My best bet for Baylor vs. Oklahoma StateI give my betting opinion on the Baylor vs Oklahoma State game
Read more »
Bruce Pearl on Auburn’s loss to Texas A&M: ‘Got to find an identity on offense’The former basketball coach shared his opinion on Auburn's performance on Saturday.
Read more »
Opinion: Democrats blew it on immigrationOpinion: Democrats blew it on immigration
Read more »