Bulwark Takes Taking Trump’s Speech Crackdown to Court (w/ Conor Fitzpatrick)
Aug 10, 2025
Conor Fitzpatrick, an attorney at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), is fighting against the Trump administration's crackdown on free speech. He discusses the alarming lawsuit aimed at protecting foreign students facing deportation for voicing dissenting opinions. Fitzpatrick highlights the significance of the First Amendment in defending unpopular views, the rights of non-citizens to express themselves, and the delicate balance between free speech and violence. His insights illuminate a crucial battle for free expression that affects everyone.
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Two Students Targeted Over Campus Speech
- Mahmoud Khalil faced detention after organizing and attending protests at Columbia.
- Ramessia Ozturk faced deportation for co-authoring an editorial at Tufts.
Administration Targets Foreign Students
- The Trump administration is deporting foreign students for protected speech.
- FIRE sued to stop targeted removals of students like Mahmoud Khalil and Ramessia Ozturk.
First Amendment Protects Unpopular Voices
- Conor Fitzpatrick stresses the First Amendment exists to protect unpopular speakers.
- He cites Jefferson and Madison to show government must not punish dissent.