Sarah Sanders suggested at the White House press briefing that people should not be allowed to use their First Amendment rights to confront White House officials about Trump’s policies.
Video:
Sanders said, “I was asked to leave because I work for President Trump. We are allowed to disagree, but we should be able to do so freely and without fear of harm. This goes for all people regardless of politics. Some have chosen to push hate and vandalism against the restaurant I was asked to leave from. A Hollywood actor publicly encouraged people to kidnap my children. This weekend a member of Congress called for people to push back and make clear to those serving their country and this administration that they are not welcome anywhere, any time, for anything. Healthy debate on ideas and political philosophy is important, but the calls for harassment and push for any Trump supporter to avoid the public is unacceptable. America is a great country, and our ability to find solutions despite those disagreements is what makes us unique. That is exactly what President Trump has done for all Americans by building a booming economy with record low unemployment for African Americans and Hispanics. The defeat of ISIS, and the ongoing work to achieve peace on the Korean Peninsula.”
The White House is trying to limit your First Amendment rights
The dangerous implication in Sarah Sanders’ statement was the idea that there are limitations on when an American citizen can exercise their First Amendment to criticize their government. Maxine Waters did not call for Trump supporters to be made to avoid the public. She called for people to gather and protest Trump officials when they see them out in public and let them know that they are not welcome.
People are allowed to protest their government and the individuals who work in an administration.
Sarah Sanders is saying that she and Trump will tell you when it is acceptable to use your First Amendment rights. The position that Sanders is advocating is un-American. The government doesn’t get to tell you when you can criticize them.
If people who work for Trump want to be able to go out in public, the answer is to stop working for a man who is harming millions of people every single day.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association
- Jimmy Carter Outlived One Of His Obituary Writers - Mon, Dec 30th, 2024
- Barack And Michelle Obama Perfectly Pay Tribute To Jimmy Carter - Sun, Dec 29th, 2024
- Trump And House GOP’s Promise To Not Cut Social Security Is Total Nonsense - Fri, Dec 20th, 2024
