The Trump administration moved Tuesday to ban five prominent European figures from entering the United States over allegations that they are censoring “American
by ELAINE MALLON | The National News DeskState Secretary Marco Rubio on Tuesday appeared to misstate an agreement former President Joe Biden reached with Venezuela. The Trump administration moved Tuesday to ban five prominent European figures from entering the United States over allegations that they are censoring “American viewpoints” on online platforms.
visa restrictions on Thierry Breton, a former European Union commissioner, along with Imran Ahmed of the Center for Countering Digital Hate, Clare Melford of the Global Disinformation Index, and German activists Anna-Lena von Hodenberg and Josephine Ballon of the nonprofit HateAid. All five have played leading roles in campaigns aimed at combating online hate speech and misinformation. Rubio accused the individuals of spearheading “organized efforts to coerce American platforms to censor, demonetize, and suppress American viewpoints.” He said their activities amounted to "extraterritorial overreach" that could harm U.S. foreign policy interests, adding that the administration was prepared to expand the list if others “do not reverse course.”“Today, @StateDept will take steps to bar leading figures of the global censorship-industrial complex from entering the United States. We stand ready and willing to expand this list if others do not reverse course.” The move relies on a policy unveiled in May that allows the United States to deny visas to foreign nationals accused of censoring Americans. Under related immigration provisions, the Department of Homeland Security could also initiate removal proceedings against certain individuals already in the country, according to the State Department notice. Breton is the most high-profile target banned. As the EU’s former top technology regulator, he was a central architect of the, which puts greater requirements on large online platforms to police illegal content, hate speech, and disinformation. U.S. officials argued the law unfairly singles out American technology companies and chills free expression. Breton rejected the accusation, calling the ban on him a “witch hunt.”referring to the 1950s crusade against the spread of communism led by Sen. Joseph McCarthy in the 1950s. “To our American friends: ‘Censorship isn’t where you think it is.’” French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the decision as “intimidation and coercion” that undermines Europe’s digital sovereignty. “The European Union’s digital regulations were adopted following a democratic and sovereign process by the European Parliament and the Council,” Macron. “They apply within Europe to ensure fair competition among platforms, without targeting any third country, and to ensure that what is illegal offline is also illegal online. The rules governing the European Union’s digital space are not meant to be determined outside Europe.”The European Commission warned it would respond “swiftly and decisively” if necessary to defend its regulatory autonomy, while European Council President António Costa said such measures were unacceptable between allies.All is calm, all is bright for Christmas Eve-eve...not so much for Christmas Eve itself.In a significant blow to the Sinaloa Cartel Network, the King County Sheriff's Office successfully executed another drug bust.Power outages possible during Christmas Eve windstorm with gusts up to 60 mph For Christmas Eve, the wind is going to be a grinch, building through the afternoonafter lowland rain and mountain snow kick off the day.Two more days of unset
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.
Trump set to announce new battleship that he’s considered calling ‘Trump class’President Donald Trump is set to announce a new type of battleship Monday that he has considered calling the “Trump class,” a person familiar with the matter said, as he works to update a US Naval fleet he’s said before is unattractive and rusty.
Read more »
Trump announces new ‘Trump-class’ battleships for US Navy’s ‘golden fleet’President Donald Trump announced plans for the construction of a new line of battleships for the United States Navy on Monday, which the president claims will be 'one hundred times more powerful' than any warship ever built.
Read more »
Trump unveils plan for 'Trump-class' battleships to boost US sea powerPresident Donald Trump announced on Monday plans to build a new 'Trump-class' of battleships — larger, faster and '100 times more powerful' than any before — aimed at cementing U.S. naval dominance.
Read more »
Trump announces 'Trump Class' of new Navy battleshipsThe president said they'll be '100 times' more powerful than earlier ships.
Read more »
Trump says 2 new 'Trump-class' ships will be added to 'Golden Fleet'Business Insider tells the global tech, finance, stock market, media, economy, lifestyle, real estate, AI and innovative stories you want to know.
Read more »
Donald Trump pitches ‘Trump-class’ 30,000-ton ships with laser weapons for US NavyUS President Donald Trump unveils plan for a Trump-class battleship as part of a sweeping push to modernize the US Navy and revive shipbuilding.
Read more »