(WASHINGTON)— In response to recent comments made by senior Trump Administration officials on podcasts, social media and in official communications, PEN America’s Hadar Harris, managing director of the Washington, DC office, issued the following comment:
“Using the power of the federal government to threaten or target political opponents based on their viewpoint represents a shocking, unacceptable, and undemocratic threat to civil society and risks sending a chill over the sector as a whole. The administration has already shown a willingness to distort the concept of free speech for its own political ends; but truly standing up for the Constitution means doing so for everyone, even your political opponents.”
About PEN America
PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect free 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. Learn more at pen.org.
Contact: Suzanne Trimel, [email protected], (201) 247-5057