Statement from Congressman Jonathan L. Jackson On Attacks on Freedom of Speech after by the Trump Administration

The tragic killing of Charlie Kirk last week has stunned our nation and reignited deep concerns about the growing specter of political violence in America, fears that rose dramatically during the attack on our Capitol on January 6th. In this heartbreaking moment, we must all unite around the fundamental principle that "No one should ever face violence for what they believe, who they support, or which ideas they express. Freedom of speech is not a privilege reserved for the powerful, it is a foundational right for all Americans.

Charlie Kirk's murder serves as a brutal reminder of the dangers when political disagreements turn deadly. From the assassination of public figures throughout our history to the chaos of January 6th, we have seen what happens when people are driven to extremes and armed with weapons that belong nowhere near our democracy. The Second Amendment has too often been twisted into a shield for those who enact violence, while the Trump administration continues to refuse the call for common sense gun reforms that could save lives. Now, in the wake of this tragedy, we see constitutional threats multiply as instead of working to stop mentally ill individuals from having firearms, this administration has focused its efforts to silence dissent through intimidation and punishment.

Over recent days, far-right voices and conservative officials have led a disturbing charge to "doxx," fire, and penalize critics of this administration or those who have spoken out against Charlie Kirk. Statements from the Vice President and Attorney General have crossed a dangerous line, functioning as "thought police" and fostering a climate where Americans are encouraged to turn on one another for the opinions they hold. This tactic has echoes of America's darkest hours, the Red Scare, when suspicion and persecution replaced thoughtful debate.

Political violence is not born in a vacuum. It is fueled by policy failures, the refusal to pursue gun reform, the active efforts to chill free speech, and the abandonment of civility in our national discourse. While the administration wages war on the First Amendment, it has failed to protect communities from the deadly consequences of guns in the wrong hands, whether the victim is a teenager from South Side Chicago or a conservative activist like Charlie Kirk. One death is too many.

I call on this administration to take immediate action: pass the kind of common sense gun legislation that can cut the roots of violence before they grow. We do not need more "thought police." We need leaders who protect our rights and our lives. The First and Second Amendments must never be manipulated into weapons for intimidation, censorship, or murder. Let us reject division, defend democracy, and build a nation where every voice is safe and every life is valued.

- Congressman Jonathan L. Jackson (IL-1)