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Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced new visa restrictions targeting foreign officials who are involved in censoring Americans. The Trump administration's policy aims to prevent these individuals from traveling to the United States, emphasizing the importance of free speech as an American birthright. Rubio stated, "For too long, Americans have been fined, harassed, and even charged by foreign authorities for exercising their free speech rights." He added that the days of passive treatment for those undermining American rights are over.
The United States has historically condemned censorship by countries like China, Russia, and Iran, but recently, the Trump administration has criticized European Union allies. Vice President JD Vance expressed concerns that the EU’s Digital Services Act might export European-style censorship to the U.S. by pressuring American tech companies. He cited examples of censorship in the UK, Romania, Sweden, and Germany as threats to fundamental European values.
This move by the U.S. government highlights its commitment to protecting free speech and ensuring that foreign authorities do not infringe upon the rights of Americans. The policy is expected to face scrutiny and debate as it unfolds.