Salon’s case is basically: Vance’s Munich rhetoric about defending speech was performative — because the Trump-Vance team now pressures, investigates, and threatens critics under a “civilization vs. enemies” frame. “What I worry about is the threat from within, the retreat of Europe from some of its most fundamental values — values shared with the United States of America.” JD Vance, Munich Security Conference speech, 14-Feb-2025 “Under Donald Trump’s leadership … we may disagree with your views, but we will fight to defend your right to offer it in the public square … shutting people out of the political process … is the most surefire way to destroy democracy.” JD Vance, Munich Security Conference speech, 14-Feb-2025 “Trump called them ‘traitors to our Country [who] should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL.’” Austin Sarat and Thomas Dumm, Salon “Your right to say something depends on what the administration thinks of it, which is no free speech at all.” Will Creeley, Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression

🎯🧨🕵️‍♂️🚨 Vance scolded Europe about free speech; Salon argues he now helps Trump weaponize “free speech” at home — branding critics “enemies within” and treating dissent as disloyalty. #Gaslighting #SelectivePrinciples #RightsMatter #WatchTheReceipts #1A