The European Union could “respond swiftly and decisively” against what it deems “unjustified” travel bans issued by the US against five Europeans working on fighting digital hatred and disinformation, an EU official has said.
EU Officials Decry US Action as ‘Intimidation’
Officials from Europe including the French president accused Washington of “bullying and threats”, following the travel bans targeted figures who have been at the heart of efforts to enact laws governing American tech companies.
“For too long, ideologues in Europe have spearheaded coordinated campaigns to coerce US companies to punish American viewpoints they disagree with,” wrote the US secretary of state in a social media post. “The current administration will no longer tolerate these egregious acts of extraterritorial censorship.”
Widespread Condemnation From EU Nations
Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined the French president in condemning the move.
The bans were enacted this week on a former EU commissioner who helped draft the EU’s digital governance law, as well as four activists fighting false information, from Germany and the United Kingdom.
An Escalating Conflict Over Regulation
This European legislation is viewed by Washington as a form of censorship, while EU authorities contend the rules are essential to combat inflammatory language and disinformation.
This disagreement threatens to become part of a far wider ongoing cultural and political conflict between the current US administration and European institutions.
Additional Updates Reported Today
In other judicial news:
- A federal judge has blocked attempts to reduce security grants to local governments that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The official ruled the action was “a further instance” of tying government assistance to policy compliance.
- Authorization was issued for the deployment of 350 national guard members to New Orleans prior to the holiday period, coinciding with an active border security initiative.
- A Pacific Island nation has agreed to take in dozens of migrants from the US in return for additional aid, following signing a formal agreement with Washington.
Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has initiated legal action seeking the removal of the current president’s name from a prominent cultural institution in Washington DC.
Analysts point out that recent statements regarding Venezuelan oil align with a broader belief in certain circles of “resource imperialism”, leading to parallels with historical international actions.
