When Nina Jankowicz was appointed by the Biden administration to head the Department of Homeland Security’s new “Disinformation Board,” she quickly became a target for free speech advocates. Critics accused her of intending to censor American citizens, and plans for the board were suspended shortly after. In 2022, Jankowicz resigned from her position and sued Fox News for defamation.
However, on Monday, Chief Judge Colm Connolly dismissed the case, stating that it was legally unfounded. The decision also called into question claims made by figures like Jankowicz that they are not involved in censorship. Critics argue that these efforts to label criticism as “defamation” and opposing views as “disinformation” are merely attempts to silence dissenting opinions.
Judging from Connolly’s ruling, it seems likely that the Biden administration’s anti-free speech movement will persist, with millions of dollars continuing to fund universities and organizations targeting individuals and groups for censorship. This growing industry threatens the very foundation of free speech in the United States, as those who seek to control information for personal gain have turned silencing others into a profitable enterprise.