In this engaging discussion, Ilya Shapiro, a conservative legal scholar, and Jeremy Peters, a New York Times journalist, dive into the heated topic of free speech in America today. They explore how the Trump administration's actions impact speech on campuses, especially concerning immigration policies. Shapiro highlights the dangers of selective free speech enforcement, while Peters warns against using aggressive measures to silence dissent. They also tackle the complexities of antisemitism and the challenges universities face in upholding free expression in today's polarized climate.
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Free Speech Defined
Free speech means expressing views without persecution by the state but does not cover criminal physical acts.
Physical actions motivated by ideas are not protected by the First Amendment.
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Free Speech Is Partisan
Both political parties claim free speech oppression based on perspective and perceived persecution.
Free speech debates intensify when people feel deprived of their rights or when speech offends others.
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Campuses Fail Free Speech
Universities inconsistently enforce free speech policies, favoring some groups while suppressing others.
Harvard received a failing grade for poor free speech protection and uneven policy enforcement.
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In 'Lawless: The Miseducation of America’s Elites,' Ilya Shapiro examines the transformation of higher education and legal education in the United States. He argues that prestigious law schools have been overtaken by radical student movements and biased faculty, leading to a decline in critical thinking, logical argumentation, and respect for opposing views. Shapiro draws from his personal experiences, including a controversial tweet that led to calls for his firing from Georgetown Law, to illustrate the institutional weaknesses and ideological capture of America’s law schools. The book warns that this trend has significant implications for the future of the legal profession, government, and society as a whole.
Free speech has become one of the most contentious issues in American politics, but what does it actually mean today? On the GZERO World podcast, Ian Bremmer sits down with conservative legal scholar Ilya Shapiro of the Manhattan Institute and New York Times free speech reporter Jeremy Peters. They discuss how free expression is being defined—and challenged—on university campuses and by the Trump administration, particularly when it comes to national immigration policy. “The dynamic of ‘free speech for me but not for thee’ is prevalent,” Shapiro warns, pointing to inconsistent enforcement of campus speech rules and a broader “illiberalism” taking hold in higher education.
The conversation turns to the Trump administration’s aggressive response to Israel/Gaza protests, including efforts to penalize non-citizen students for their political speech. Peters cautions that this approach may violate the very rights the administration claims to defend. “Rather than execute a clean policy to support free speech,” he says, “they’re using blunt force to try to deport people who didn’t do anything terribly wrong.” The potential legal battles ahead could determine how far the government can go in defining speech as a national security issue—especially for non-citizens.
Both guests acknowledge that antisemitism on campus has become a flashpoint, but differ on how it’s being addressed. Shapiro argues that while not all anti-Israel sentiment is antisemitic, many protesters are crossing that line: “It’s possible to be anti-Zionist without being antisemitic, but it’s very rare in my experience.” Peters agrees the issue is complex and evolving, noting that universities “seem much more focused on preventing antisemitism than they were just a year ago.” Together, the guests raise urgent questions about the balance between expression, identity, and institutional responsibility in a sharply divided political landscape.
GZERO World with Ian Bremmer 