In response to reports that a lawyer representing President Trump is attempting to halt publication of Michael Wolff’s “Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House,” PEN America Executive Director Suzanne Nossel released the following statement:

“PEN America is deeply alarmed by reports that a lawyer representing President Trump is attempting to halt publication of Michael Wolff’s “Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House,” which purports to provide a behind-the-scenes look at the Trump White House. The President’s attempt to ​halt​ publication of a book because of its content is ​flagrantly unconstitutional​. ​President Trump’s threats represent a ​brazen ​attempt at imposing unlawful prior restraint, a form of censorship repeatedly rejected by the U.S. Supreme Court. For the President of the United States criticism comes with the territory. The President should immediately withdraw and repudiate this outrageous demand, allowing the American people to render their own judgement of the book.​” ​

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