Trump’s Espionage Act Prosecution: Revenge Against “Enemies”?
Donald Trump’s presidency is feared to bring widespread suppression of free speech and criminalization of dissent, leveraging the Espionage Act. This World War I-era law, rarely used against spies, has been weaponized against whistleblowers revealing government misconduct under both previous administrations. Trump’s own indictment under this act, coupled with his administration’s aggressive use against journalists and leakers, sets a dangerous precedent. The Act’s secretive procedures, including pre-trial hearings in SCIFs, hinder transparency and due process. This, combined with the Biden administration’s failure to curtail its use, creates a significant threat to press freedom.
John Q. Hosedrinker