Congressmen Cohen and McGovern and Senator Whitehouse Introduce Resolution Condemning Trump Attacks on Free Press

WASHINGTON - Congressmen Steve Cohen (TN-9) and Jim McGovern (MA-2) along with Senator Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island today introduced a resolution condemning President Trump's continual attacks on the free press. The resolution calls for the Executive Branch to respect the rights of journalists and allow them to perform their duties "without fear of retaliation." The United States must reaffirm its commitment to preserving and protecting freedom of the press as a cornerstone of democracy. See the resolution here.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

"Trump's attacks endanger not only our democracy, but free press and journalists around the world who risk their lives to report the truth. His actions set a dangerous precedent and risk emboldening authoritarian regimes to further crack down on free expression. Currently, 11 United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM) staff are behind bars abroad, and we must not abandon them. Just this weekend, he attacked The Wall Street Journal, whose editorial board was once supportive, as 'a rotten newspaper.' "

Congressman McGovern made the following statement:

"A free and independent press is essential to democracy-and when a president treats reporters like enemies, it's not just offensive, it's un-American. Trump's authoritarian attacks on journalists and media outlets he doesn't like are part of a calculated campaign to silence dissent and evade accountability. We must do everything in our power to protect the First Amendment and defend the public's right to be informed. I'm proud to join Congressman Cohen in that fight."

Senator Whitehouse made the following statement:

"America's free press is a pillar of democracy that has a unique role in holding the government to account and rooting out corruption. President Trump's lawless actions against the media are designed to chill and intimidate the free press and put individual journalists in harm's way. We condemn these attacks and stand with America's journalists, many of whom are facing real threats because of their commitment to the First Amendment."

The resolution cites various attacks on the operations of the press, including:

• Accusing media outlets such as The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, MSNBC, CNN, ABC, CBS and NBC of "illegal" behavior during a speech at the Department of Justice;
• Claiming CNN and MSNBC networks are "political arms of the Democrat Party" during a speech at the Department of Justice;
• Excluding the Associated Press from the White House press pool access due to disputes over naming conventions, leading to legal challenges concerning First Amendment violations;
• Filing a lawsuit against CBS News over a "60 Minutes" interview with Vice President Kamala Harris, alleging biased editing and calling for CBS to lose broadcast licenses;
• Seeking to defund National Public Radio and Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), including launching a Federal Communications Commission probe and issuing an executive order instructing the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to cease providing direct and indirect funds to either broadcaster;
• Refusing to take questions from NBC News reporters, claiming the network "discredited;"
• Seeking to impose the Administration's policy preferences on independent news organizations by forcing PBS to eliminate its diversity, equity, and inclusion office using threats of government funding cuts and ignoring reporters who list pronouns in their email signatures; and
• Rescinding a Department of Justice policy against subpoenaing journalists, exposing journalists' sources to the threat of possible identification and punishment.

Endorsing Organizations: PEN America, National Press Photographers Association, American Governance Institute, Radio Television Digital News Association, Society of Environmental Journalists

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