The trends aimed at narrowing Freedom of Expression are very concerning to me. The laws that were created to protect our freedoms are the foundation of our democracy. The Atlantic examines this in the aftermath of Trump’s 2016 election. The article showcases just how concerning these bills are because of how implacable these conservative lawmakers are. Regardless of the appeal process or the denial of the laws, they will revise the bills and bring them back to ensure their laws are passed. Laws that only aim at protecting them, without a care for the freedom of expression that is so incredibly important to our people.
There also seems to have been an increase in these proposals in recent years. Pen dives into the numbers, noting that in 2015 and 2016 combined, the total number of bills threatening freedom of expression was 6; in 2017, the number skyrocketed to 56. That is a scary jump, considering the administration that took office in January of 2017. It is clear that conservative lawmakers want their ideas to run rampant and for nobody else to have their voice heard. Freedom Forum discusses this well, also pointing out that the administration that took over in January of last year, 2025, is playing a big role in the silencing of Americans. Not only do they highlight the administration’s efforts, but they also discuss Americans’ understanding of the First Amendment. Although many people understand what the First Amendment is, they don’t understand how it protects them in day-to-day life or how these new laws will affect them. It seems lawmakers are playing on that, banking on the fact that citizens are unaware of the protections being slowly stripped away.
Taking all of this into account and considering whether policy is a good way to regulate Freedom of Expression, I want to look at a slightly different context and turn the page, so to speak. As an avid reader and lover of literature, I find this topic compelling because books have often been a place for people to share their thoughts in a more palatable way, making them easier for the masses to grasp. Banned books are a major form of censorship, and speak to the First Amendment very well. The New York Public Library explores the importance of reading banned books, noting, “It’s the first step on a journey toward ignorance, hate, and all-too-real violence” (Marx, 2022). While The Atlantic cited that the current administration was looking to quell violence, these laws don’t seem effective. As evidenced in the recent Alex Pretti case in Minneapolis, the laws that are preventing people from speaking seem to incite more violence against those who speak up. Book bans are only a small piece of this; however, books are the foundation of our educational system, and removing literature could erode the connection between understanding the law and its actual impact on our day-to-day lives. Going back to the original question, I don’t think that policy is the best way to regulate Freedom of Expression. Right now, it’s clear that the policies are trying to silence voices that need to be heard, which goes against the core of the First Amendment.