1. United States
2. Md.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my deep concern about the risks that the current Trump administration poses to the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. The First Amendment is a cornerstone of our democracy, and once it is compromised, the very foundation of our constitutional rights is at risk. The First Amendment guarantees essential freedoms, including the right to free speech, the right to peaceably assemble, and the freedom of the press. These rights are not just abstract concepts—they are vital to holding our government accountable and ensuring that all citizens can express themselves without fear of reprisal. However, we are seeing increasing threats to these freedoms, particularly as political leaders seek to define dissenting views as unlawful or dangerous. I am particularly concerned by the apparent disregard for the First Amendment shown by some in the current administration, whose actions suggest that dissent is no longer tolerated. The rhetoric and policies coming from the Trump administration set a dangerous precedent that could lead to more government overreach and the silencing of political opposition. If we allow this to happen, we risk not only the rights of those we disagree with but our own as well. The legislative branch is the people’s direct representation in this situation, and it is your responsibility to hold the executive and judicial branches to account in protecting our republic and our democracy. Waiting to see what happens next—when it is obviously clear that the executive intends to erase the authority and power of the other two branches—is simply not an option if we want the country as we have known it for 250 years to survive. The balance of power in our government, so carefully crafted by our Founding Fathers, is at risk, and it is the duty of Congress to act as a safeguard against this erosion. It is especially troubling that much of the Republican base appears to value the elimination of others' rights more than the protection of their own. By supporting policies that suppress free speech and peaceful assembly, they are setting a dangerous precedent that could ultimately lead to the erosion of all our constitutional protections. I urge you to stand firm in defense of the First Amendment and resist any efforts to undermine this vital protection. Protecting free speech and the right to protest is essential to maintaining our democracy, and we must ensure that these freedoms remain inviolable for all Americans.