Congressman Mo Brooks: Facebook ban of President Trump is a direct attack on First Amendment Freedom of Speech rights

Washington, DC- Wednesday, Congressman Mo Brooks (AL-05) released the following statement on Facebook's decision to permanently ban President Trump from its platform:

'Facebook's continued ban of President Trump is a direct attack on the First Amendment's Freedom of Speech rights. But President Trump is not alone. Facebook suppresses free speech of millions of Americans on a daily if not hourly basis.'

'Congress and the federal government must act to protect Freedom of Speech. Congress and the federal government can do that by:

1. Using anti-trust laws to break up the monopolies of Facebook, Twitter, Google and every other communications conduit Americans use to express their views and values.

2. Repealing any and all immunities Facebook, Twitter, Google and the like have that protects them from liability for their defamatory, libelous and slanderous conduct. A media conduit that edits and controls speech must be responsible for the injuries to reputations that ensue.

'In sum, no federal law should be used as a sword or shield that aids and abets a company's Freedom of Speech suppression. Any company that suppresses Freedom of Speech must know it will be held responsible for conduct that undermines one of America's most cherished rights.'

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