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babylonsister

(171,066 posts) Sun Apr 30, 2017, 12:02 PM Apr 2017

White House is considering making it easier for Trump to sue journalists

Tara Culp-Ressler
Senior Editor at ThinkProgress.
Apr 30
White House is considering making it easier for Trump to sue journalists

White House Chief of Staff Reince Preibus said on Sunday that the Trump administration has “looked at” making changes to libel law to make it easier to sue journalists who publish stories that President Trump doesn’t like.

Trump has previously suggested that he could “change libel laws” to crack down on the New York Times, which he calls a “disgrace.”

When ABC News’ Jon Karl asked about this comment from Trump, Priebus acknowledged it’s something the administration has considered, though he declined to provide specific details.

“I think it’s something that we’ve looked at, and how that gets executed or whether that goes anywhere is a different story,” Priebus said. “But when you have articles out there that have no basis or fact and we’re sitting here on 24/7 cable companies writing stories about constant contacts with Russia and all these other matters.”

more...

https://thinkprogress.org/white-house-easier-sue-journalists-e7511e0e4881

13 replies

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White House is considering making it easier for Trump to sue journalists (Original Post) babylonsister Apr 2017 OP

Wouldn't that require a change to the First Amendment? WhiteTara Apr 2017 #1

They can "consider" all they want, but The Velveteen Ocelot Apr 2017 #2

Of course Priebus knows better gratuitous Apr 2017 #7

He will have a problem with the first amendment on that one still_one Apr 2017 #3

1. Can't be done w/o amending the Constitution no_hypocrisy Apr 2017 #4

Could He Please Take A Basic Civics Class? Me. Apr 2017 #5

Well, trump has been blaming the constitution for his difficulty in his presidency Doreen Apr 2017 #6

Except for that thing called The 1st Amendmemt onecaliberal Apr 2017 #8

Trump has no moral compass... Rollo Apr 2017 #9

I just knew this was an Onion article...till I saw it was ACTUAL news! angstlessk Apr 2017 #10

How will trump get this through congress? Gothmog Apr 2017 #11

Not just congress, but an amendment requires ratification by 3/4 of the states. n/t Ms. Toad Apr 2017 #13

this is a BIGGIE folks...this is THE FIRST AMENDMENT. spanone Apr 2017 #12

WhiteTara

(29,716 posts)

1. Wouldn't that require a change to the First Amendment?

Reply to babylonsister (Original post)

Sun Apr 30, 2017, 12:05 PM

Apr 2017

I can't see an EO making that so.

The Velveteen Ocelot

(115,706 posts)

2. They can "consider" all they want, but

Reply to babylonsister (Original post)

Sun Apr 30, 2017, 12:05 PM

Apr 2017

they won't get far; Priebus has a law degree so he should know better. Even this Supreme Court tends to be quite resolute where the First Amendment is concerned. What's disturbing, though, is that the WH is even talking about restricting free speech.

gratuitous

(82,849 posts)

7. Of course Priebus knows better

Reply to The Velveteen Ocelot (Reply #2)

Sun Apr 30, 2017, 12:20 PM

Apr 2017

So do the credulous reporters acting as stenographers for Priebus. But they all have to keep the lunatic in the Oval Office happy, so as long as he thinks that as President he can "open up the libel laws" or any other such fatuous nonsense, that keeps his idiot focus off of them.

When are journalists going to remember that their function is not to support those in power no matter what, and serve the American people? That's why the Constitution grants them such extraordinary protections.

still_one

(92,193 posts)

3. He will have a problem with the first amendment on that one

Reply to babylonsister (Original post)

Sun Apr 30, 2017, 12:06 PM

Apr 2017

no_hypocrisy

(46,114 posts)

4. 1. Can't be done w/o amending the Constitution

Reply to babylonsister (Original post)

Sun Apr 30, 2017, 12:16 PM

Apr 2017

2. Trump's MO of grifting. Litigate with goal of profitable settlement and/or making adversary waste time and money on legal defense.

Me.

(35,454 posts)

5. Could He Please Take A Basic Civics Class?

Reply to babylonsister (Original post)

Sun Apr 30, 2017, 12:19 PM

Apr 2017

Doreen

(11,686 posts)

6. Well, trump has been blaming the constitution for his difficulty in his presidency

Reply to babylonsister (Original post)

Sun Apr 30, 2017, 12:19 PM

Apr 2017

and I have noticed from the beginning that he is opposed to free speech.

onecaliberal

(32,861 posts)

8. Except for that thing called The 1st Amendmemt

Reply to babylonsister (Original post)

Sun Apr 30, 2017, 12:32 PM

Apr 2017

Rollo

(2,559 posts)

9. Trump has no moral compass...

Reply to babylonsister (Original post)

Sun Apr 30, 2017, 12:34 PM

Apr 2017

Other than "what's good for me?"...

angstlessk

(11,862 posts)

10. I just knew this was an Onion article...till I saw it was ACTUAL news!

Reply to babylonsister (Original post)

Sun Apr 30, 2017, 12:42 PM

Apr 2017

and I heard it with my ACTUAL ears...straight from the ACTUAL mouth of preibus himself!!!!!!!!

When they describe how a democracy becomes fascist, first step is to de-legitimatize the media, except for state (fox) media!!!!