In response to President Trump’s threat to “take a strong look” at U.S. libel laws, which he described as “very weak,” PEN America Executive Director Suzanne Nossel released the following statement:
“This is not the first time President Trump has shaken his fist against our libel laws. In so doing, he is attacking the U.S. Constitution, which represents the gold standard worldwide in terms of protections for freedom of speech. Under the First Amendment people are free to denigrate and offend the President or anyone else, a freedom with which the President should be well-acquainted given his own penchant for insulting political opponents. While he can say what he wants, thankfully the President cannot change our laws, much less amend the Constitution.”
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PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect open expression in the United States and worldwide. We champion the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world. Our mission is to unite writers and their allies to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible.
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Anoosh Gasparian, External Relations Coordinator: [email protected], +1.646.981.0685