Columbia Standard

U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin, serving as the Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, engaged in questioning witnesses during a recent hearing titled "The Censorship Industrial Complex." The session was held by the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution.

Durbin's inquiry began with Benjamin Weingarten, a commentator and senior contributor to The Federalist. Weingarten has previously written about what he describes as a "Censorship Industrial Complex" allegedly directed by the Biden Administration. He claims that “the Capitol riot fueled the war on wrongthink” and suggested that clemency for Capitol rioters should mark an end to this so-called war.

Durbin questioned whether Weingarten viewed the January 6 riot at the Capitol as protected free speech. Weingarten responded by distinguishing between peaceful protest and actions crossing into violence. Durbin pressed further, asking if those pardoned had crossed legal lines, to which Weingarten acknowledged that some individuals committed crimes.

The dialogue continued with Durbin challenging Weingarten’s use of “whole-of-society war” rhetoric. Weingarten explained it involves government collaborating with civil society for specific outcomes but warned it could lead to draconian methods when boundaries blur.

Attention then shifted to Dr. Mary Anne Franks from George Washington University Law School regarding alleged attacks by the Trump Administration on law firms associated with perceived adversaries like Perkins Coie and Paul Weiss. Durbin expressed concern over these actions potentially violating free speech principles and sought Franks' opinion on future legal representation at targeted firms. Dr. Franks echoed these concerns, emphasizing access to courts as fundamental freedom.

Finally, Gabe Rottman from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press addressed issues related to freedom of press under Trump's administration, specifically citing an incident where AP was excluded from a White House press pool for using “Gulf of Mexico.” Rottman described such exclusions as viewpoint discrimination violating First Amendment rights.

###