Demand Progress

Stop Ted Cruz and Kash Patel from criminalizing protest!

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    Stop Ted Cruz and Kash Patel from criminalizing protest!

    Petition to Congress:
    We urge you to oppose the Stop FUNDERs Act, a dangerous piece of legislation that would criminalize dissent and take away our First Amendment rights.

    Ted Cruz and Trump’s MAGA loyalists in Congress are pushing a bill that would criminalize organizations that support protests against Trump, like the recent No Kings rallies.1

    Kash Patel loudly endorsed Cruz’s bill and vowed to investigate groups that are supposedly funding protests of Trump’s authoritarian policies.2,3 Trump, Cruz, Patel, and Stephen Miller are mobilizing the full powers of the executive branch to round up political opponents and punish them.

    Cruz’s dangerous bill (the “Stop FUNDERs Act”) is a threat to anyone who shows up to protests or even expresses a dissenting opinion. Congress must stop this unconstitutional attack on the First Amendment and prevent MAGA officials from criminalizing protest.

    Sign the petition: Stop Ted Cruz’s bill to criminalize protest and dissent. Protect our First Amendment rights!

    “By branding protest as a criminal activity, this bill threatens to intimidate people from engaging in peaceful, lawful advocacy and puts everyday Americans at risk of being dragged into sprawling investigations,” said Americans Against Government Censorship.4

    In response to Cruz’s bill and Trump’s attacks, journalist Mehdi Hassan said, “They want to ban protests. They want to kill the First Amendment.”5

    Congress must stand up to Trump’s authoritarianism, and oppose legislation that allows the White House to weaponize law enforcement against the people.

    Sign the petition: Oppose Cruz’s dangerous “Stop FUNDERs Act.”

    Sources:

    1. Common Dreams, "Ted Cruz Says His Bill Will Allow DOJ to ‘Prosecute’ Those Who Fund No Kings Protests, Which Have Been Overwhelmingly Peaceful,” October 16, 2025.
    2. People For, "Heritage Action Cites ‘Marxist Occupation of Our Streets’ to Support Cruz Bill Targeting Progressives,” October 27, 2025.
    3. Jewish Insider, "Kash Patel vows to investigate funding for far-left protest movements,” September 17, 2025.
    4. Ibid.
    5. Common Dreams, "Ted Cruz Says His Bill Will Allow DOJ to ‘Prosecute’ Those Who Fund No Kings Protests, Which Have Been Overwhelmingly Peaceful,” October 16, 2025.
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