Georgetown Professor Compares Trump Press Ban to January 6

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Georgetown Law Professor Emily Goodwin recently sparked controversy by comparing former President Donald Trump’s press ban to the events of January 6, 2021, during a CNN appearance. The professor, who joined the network shortly after a federal judge ordered the White House to restore access for liberal outlets, expressed deep concern over the administration’s actions.

Legal and Constitutional Concerns

Despite the court order, the White House did not rush to restore access for the outlets. Goodwin highlighted the potential for the issue to reach the U.S. Supreme Court, stating it was a losing issue for the administration. She emphasized the gravity of the situation, noting its similarity to the events of January 6 in terms of perceived egregiousness.

Goodwin placed the issue in historical context, citing the First Amendment’s 237-year history and over a century of Supreme Court precedent that protects freedom of the press. She stressed that the government cannot impose prior restraints on media, regardless of political affiliation.

Recent Legal Developments

Following Trump’s announcement of a press ban on Truth Social, reporters were turned away the next day. The outlets filed a lawsuit, arguing it was a case of viewpoint discrimination. U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly, a Trump appointee, issued a temporary restraining order, citing due process concerns and the vagueness of the administration’s ‘truthfulness’ standard.

The judge ordered the passes returned for 14 days, though access was not fully restored until later in the day. The ongoing legal battle underscores the administration’s struggle with press freedoms and the potential for higher court intervention.

Source: The Gateway Pundit

Written by

Connor Davis