The EU could “act quickly and firmly” in response to what it deems “unjustified” travel bans issued by the US against five European individuals involved in fighting online hate and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson stated.
European Leaders Decry US Action as ‘Intimidation’
European leaders including Emmanuel Macron charged the US administration of “coercion and intimidation”, after the travel bans targeted individuals that were at the heart of efforts to introduce laws governing US-based technology firms.
“For too long, ideologues in Europe have led coordinated campaigns to pressure American platforms to punish American viewpoints they disagree with,” wrote the US secretary of state in a social media post. “The current administration will no longer tolerate such actions of censorship beyond its borders.”
Broad Criticism From EU Nations
Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported the French president in condemning the decision.
The bans were enacted this week against an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s digital governance law, along with several activists fighting false information, including Germany and the United Kingdom.
An Escalating Conflict Regarding Governance
The DSA is viewed by US officials as a type of speech restriction, while EU authorities contend the regulations are essential to control inflammatory language and falsehoods.
This row risks becoming a facet of a much broader ongoing cultural and political conflict involving the current US administration and European institutions.
Other Developments in the News
In other judicial news:
- A federal judge has blocked efforts to cut federal homeland security funding to local governments that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The official stated the action was “a further instance” of linking government assistance to adherence to directives.
- Approval was given for the deployment of hundreds of national guard troops to a major US city prior to the new year, coinciding with an ongoing immigration enforcement operation.
- A Pacific Island nation will consent to accept dozens of individuals from the US in return for additional aid, after signing a memorandum of understanding with Washington.
Furthermore, a Democratic lawmaker has initiated legal action seeking the removal of a political figure’s name from a well-known cultural institution in Washington DC.
Experts point out that comments regarding Venezuelan oil align with a wider ideology in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, leading to parallels with historical international actions.
