The Reason Interview With Nick Gillespie Defend Speech Even When Your Side Hates It
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Oct 1, 2025 Janine Younis, a civil liberties attorney and former public defender, talks about her pivotal lawsuits against the Biden administration, including Murthy v. Missouri, addressing social media censorship. She highlights the decline of free speech in America and the dangers posed by both political extremes. Younis passionately defends the First Amendment, asserting that all speech should be protected, even if it's controversial. She also discusses how government pressure can undermine free expression and emphasizes the need for constant vigilance in protecting civil liberties.
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Principled Civil Liberties Over Partisanship
- Janine Younis says her work is driven by a principled commitment to civil liberties rather than party loyalty.
- She argues partisanship blinds people to when their side violates constitutional rights.
Outsourcing Government Censorship Undermines Rights
- Younis explains Murthy v. Missouri argued the government used private platforms to censor disfavored viewpoints during COVID.
- She frames outsourcing censorship as undermining constitutional protections.
Isolation Over COVID Skepticism
- Younis recounts being the only public defender she knew who opposed COVID lockdowns and refusing to wear a mask.
- Her stance isolated her socially and pushed her to seek like-minded voices online.
