Demand Progress

Last summer, we learned the Trump administration had seized the records of journalists who had reported unfavorable news about the administration.¹ That surveillance came after years of Trump openly stoking violence against members of the press.²

Congress must act to protect the freedom of the press. The House just passed legislation shielding the press from this abuse  — now, the Senate must follow suit!

Sign the petition: The Senate must pass the PRESS Act, legislation safeguarding a free and independent press!

The PRESS Act passed the House with bipartisan unanimous support. And when the same legislation was introduced in previous years, it’s enjoyed support from Republicans — including Mike Pence.³

It’s obvious that if Senate Republicans oppose the legislation now, it won’t be because of policy concerns. It will be out of fear of Trump’s authoritarian tendencies — the same ones that put our press corps at risk.

The Protect Reporters from Excessive State Suppression (PRESS) Act would shield journalists from being forced to give up sources and block government seizure of phone and email records.³ These rights are absolutely essential in any functioning democracy.

With just days left in this session of Congress, the Senate must seize this opportunity to defend our democracy before it’s too late!

Sign the petition: The Senate must pass the PRESS Act, legislation safeguarding a free and independent press!

Sources: 

1. New York Times, “Hunting Leaks, Trump Officials Focused on Democrats in Congress,” June 10, 2021.
2. Business Insider, “11 times Trump has lashed out at reporters and called them 'nasty' during his coronavirus press briefings,” May 13, 2020.
3. Rep. Jamie Raskin, “Raskin’s PRESS Act Passes House with Unanimous, Bipartisan Support,” September 19, 2022.