The New Liberal Podcast Is Free Speech Under Threat in America? ft. Sarah McLaughlin
Oct 2, 2025
Sarah McLaughlin, a senior staffer at FIRE and author of "Authoritarians in the Academy," dives into the precarious state of free speech in America. She discusses the implications of Trump's administration on speech rights, unpacking the Jimmy Kimmel suspension and Pam Bondi's controversial comments on hate speech. McLaughlin explains the distinction between government and corporate censorship, warns of media consolidation risks, and emphasizes the importance of defending diverse expression. Their conversation offers a nuanced look at cancel culture and the chilling effects of intimidation tactics.
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Regulatory Pressure Can Force Censorship
- Government officials openly pressured ABC over Jimmy Kimmel, with FCC Chair Brendan Carr hinting at consequences.
- Sarah McLaughlin warns that such public threats from regulators undermine free expression by coercing private media decisions.
Vague Labels Enable Government Overreach
- Pam Bondi suggested DOJ might target "hate speech," a non‑legal category, then tried to walk it back.
- McLaughlin stresses that treating vague categories as unlawful speech hands dangerous power to government.
Call Out Jawboning Every Time
- Be principled and criticize government jawboning regardless of who it targets.
- FIRE defends limits on government power to prevent future abuse against any viewpoint.
