- United States
- Pa.
- Letter
The Trump administration’s arrest of Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil is a chilling assault on free speech and political dissent in this country. If we allow this to happen without challenge, we are not just on a slippery slope to totalitarianism—we are already there.
The First Amendment is not conditional—it does not protect only speech that is popular, convenient, or aligned with government interests. It exists to protect speech precisely when it challenges those in power. Arresting activists under the vague and politically motivated pretext of "supporting terrorism" is not only unconstitutional, it is a clear abuse of power meant to silence political opponents.
This country was founded on the principle of free expression. If we now live in a reality where the government can jail people for their political views, then we have lost the very foundation of democracy itself.
I demand that you:
- Condemn the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil and demand his immediate release.
- Introduce or support legislation to prevent political targeting under the guise of national security.
- Hold hearings on the use of federal law enforcement to suppress dissenting political speech.
Today, it’s Mahmoud Khalil. Tomorrow, it’s anyone who dares to challenge the government. Will you act now, or will you sit by as this administration dismantles democracy in real time?
