Marco Rubio's 'Free Speech' Policy Against 'Foreign Officials' Who Censor Americans Sparks Backlash: 'You Sent ICE to My Home for Exercising Free Speech'
Marco Rubio was criticized after announcing a new free speech policy that will, in part, target any foreign nationals who speak out against Israel.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a new "free speech" policy aimed at protecting Americans from censorship by foreign officials, but the announcement was met with a wave of backlash as critics pointed to the Trump administration's own history of targeting dissent and restricting speech.
"For too long, Americans have been fined, harassed, and even charged by foreign authorities for exercising their free speech rights," Rubio wrote in an X post shared Wednesday, before revealing "a new visa restriction policy that will apply to foreign officials and persons who are complicit in censoring Americans."
"Free speech is essential to the American way of life – a birthright over which foreign governments have no authority," he added.
For too long, Americans have been fined, harassed, and even charged by foreign authorities for exercising their free speech rights.
Today, I am announcing a new visa restriction policy that will apply to foreign officials and persons who are complicit in censoring Americans.… — Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) May 28, 2025
Rubio's announcement appeared to serve as a pretext for the Trump administration to crack down on dissent against Israel. In a follow-up video, the former Florida senator revealed the policy's true intent: to punish foreign nationals whom the administration believes "foment hatred against our Jewish community."
The clarification has fueled backlash, with many accusing the Trump administration of weaponizing free speech rhetoric to shield Israel from criticism.
"We are holding international organizations and nations accountable for rhetoric against Israel that resurfaces in the manifesto of monsters like Yaron and Sarah's killer," Rubio added. "But we do see an eventual light at the end of this long tunnel of suffering. One can imagine a Middle East in which the Abraham Accords eventually reign," referencing an agreement brokered by the U.S. that normalized relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco.
NEW:🇺🇲🇮🇱 Marco Rubio officially announced that anyone who dares to criticize Israel will NOT be granted a visa to enter the United States.
Btw this doesn't apply if you criticise the US itself. pic.twitter.com/bfJKegCTTR — Megatron (@Megatron_ron) May 29, 2025
Palestinians were only briefly mentioned in the agreement and had no role in its creation; a striking omission considering the "foreign officials" now being targeted for speaking out against Israel are doing so in protest of Israel's genocidal actions in Gaza and the West Bank.
Rubio's announcement went viral, drawing criticism from Americans and social media users who accused the administration of hypocrisy and questioned its unwavering defense of Israel.
"You sent ICE agents to my home because of free speech activity," Momodou Taal, a Cornell University graduate student who chose to leave the U.S. after the Trump administration revoked his visa for his pro-Palestine stance, shared in response.
"free speech champion who is cancelling student visas and trying to deport students for their free speech? hypocrisy is not a strong enough word for what these people are doing," another wrote.
free speech champion who is cancelling student visas and trying to deport students for their free speech?hypocrisy is not a strong enough word for what these people are doing https://t.co/racadGDlyc — dei m'baku💙🌹 (@pazeraiva) May 28, 2025
"You had someone abducted off the street by masked agents in an unmarked van and attempted to deport her for writing an op-ed," a third added, referencing Rümeysa Öztürk, a Tufts student who was detained for a pro-Palestine op-ed she wrote for the university's newspaper.
You had someone abducted off the street by masked agents in an unmarked van and attempted to deport her for writing an op-ed. https://t.co/8ZiTNk90fT — Dylan Williams (@dylanotes) May 28, 2025
"So criticizing the U.S. is free speech, but criticizing Israel is a visa violation? Amazing how a democracy bends its own rules to protect a foreign government from hurt feelings. What's next ... mandatory loyalty oaths?" one X user added.
So criticizing the U.S. is free speech, but criticizing Israel is a visa violation? 😅
Amazing how a democracy bends its own rules to protect a foreign government from hurt feelings. What's next … mandatory loyalty oaths? — 🅻🅳🅴🅻🆂🍉🅻 (@LDelsoll) May 29, 2025
"This is fascism. What will the little Nazi do next?" another prompted.
Originally published on Latin Times
© Latin Times. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Int'l Business Times
an hour ago
- Int'l Business Times
Donald Trump Not Happy With Apple CEO Tim Cook's India iPhone Production Plan
Expressing his dismay at Apple CEO Tim Cook's plan to shift some of the iPhone production operations to India, US President Donald Trump categorically emphasised that he 'doesn't want this to happen'. The main Apple iPhone production is in China and there's a good reason for this as the tech giant mass produces its popular iOS models in the Asian country because of workers' manufacturing expertise, the supply chain infrastructure's efficiency, and cheaper labour costs. However, Tim Cook is now considering other countries because of the massive tariffs imposed by the Trump administration in China. According to Mashable SE Asia, Apple is planning to shift some of its iPhone manufacturing operations to India. People familiar with the matter even claimed that the initiative is already underway. Trump disappointed after learning about Tim Cook's plan. 'I had a little problem with Tim Cook,' said the American leader via CNBC. "I said to him, 'My friend, I treated you very good. You're coming here with $500 billion, but now I hear you're building all over India,'" added Trump. With US. tariffs remaining high, it seems like Trump doesn't give Tim Cook any other choice but to rely on India as an alternative. So what does POTUS want? Donald Trump said that he wants Apple to focus its iPhone production in the U.S. During the conference, he said that they treated Tim Cook and his giant firm really well. Trump added that they didn't interfere with Apple building manufacturing plants in China. The US president argued that the administration is not interested in India since it can take care of itself. Donald Trump also argued that India is one of the nations with the highest tariffs. He further stated that India is even willing to remove all tariffs on American products. In April, the White House's trade protectionist policies revealed that the Trump administration has imposed a 26% reciprocal tariff on Indian goods. But, this was temporarily lowered until July. Instead, POTUS wants Tim Cook to start manufacturing in the U.S. Apple has been designing its iPhones and other products in the U.S. However, the actual assemblies of its devices are outsourced to various manufacturers in China and other countries. Although the tech giant also produces in the U.S., it only manufactures very few products. Originally published on IBTimes UK Donald trump Tim cook Apple
DW
2 days ago
- DW
US updates: Trump to double steel tariffs to 50% – DW – 05/31/2025
Skip next section Trump says US will double tariffs on foreign steel to 50% 05/31/2025 May 31, 2025 Trump says US will double tariffs on foreign steel to 50% US President Donald Trump said his administration would double duties on steel imports to 50%. He announced the tariff hike while speaking in Pennsylvania at a US Steel plant, where he also touted a "partnership" between the American steelmaker and Japan's Nippon Steel. "We're going to bring it from 25% to 50%, the tariffs on steel into the United States of America, which will even further secure the steel industry," he said. "Nobody's going to get around that." The move puts further pressure on global steel producers and threatens to deepen Trump's trade war and increase market uncertainty over Trump's disorienting tariff regime.
Int'l Business Times
2 days ago
- Int'l Business Times
GOP Senator Thanks Elon Musk for Stopping '300-Year-Olds' From Receiving Social Security
A Republican senator thanked Elon Musk for stopping "300-year-olds" from receiving Social Security and other federal benefits as part of his role with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott extended his gratitude to the Tesla CEO during an appearance on Fox Business Friday morning, insisting that Musk was able to find "hundreds of billions" of cuts. "Let's thank Elon Musk for his amazing service to the American people. He has done what no one else has done before. [He] found hundreds of billions of dollars of cuts in waste, fraud and abuse. No more 300-year-olds getting Social Security checks because of Elon Musk," Scott declared. "Thank God that President [Donald] Trump had the wisdom to put Elon in place. We will make sure those cuts are permanent in our spending packages going forward," he continued. After Trump entered his second term earlier this year, he named Musk to help lead DOGE in an effort to reduce government spending. The businessman shared that he was stepping away at the end of May to return his focus to his various companies. Although the goal of DOGE was welcomed by Republican lawmakers, the task force quickly drew backlash after several government agencies were hit with mass layoffs that left thousands without jobs. While the Trump administration defended the cuts as part of efforts to restructure and streamline work, the cuts raised questions after several groups of terminated employees received messages from some federal agencies begging them to return. Trump was later forced to clarify that Musk did not have the power to fire government employees. Musk and DOGE had promised to eliminate trillions of dollars in spending and to reduce waste across the government. So far, the task force has yet to reach that number. Congress is expected to face a $9.4 billion package of spending cuts next week, Politico reported. Originally published on Latin Times
