Constitutional Scholar Jonathan Turley Defends Vice President Vance’s Free Speech Advocacy
Context:
Vice President JD Vance delivered a speech at the Munich Security Conference, criticizing the conference organizers for banning political parties from both the far-left and far-right. Vance argued that these censorship measures threatened European values.
Turley’s Praise for Vance:
Constitutional scholar Jonathan Turley lauded Vance’s speech, equating it to John F. Kennedy’s iconic "Ich bin ein Berliner" address in 1963. Turley emphasized that Vance stood up for the fundamental right of free speech, which is under threat in Europe.
According to Turley, free speech is indispensable for democracy, and its erosion in countries such as Germany and the United Kingdom is alarming. Vance’s speech was a "welcome" intervention, boosting the morale of the free speech community in Europe.
Vance’s Criticism of European Censorship:
Vance expressed concern that European countries were adopting a "Soviet-style approach" to censorship. He warned that such measures pose a greater threat to Europe than external actors like Russia.
Vance called on European leaders to confront their "retreat" from fundamental values, including free speech. He argued that countries that fear their own voters cannot rely on America’s support.
CBS Host’s Controversial Statement:
During her show, CBS host Margaret Brennan made an astonishing claim that Nazi Germany "weaponized free speech" during the Holocaust.
Turley’s Response:
Turley vehemently rejected Brennan’s statement, stating that the Nazis’ first act was to suppress free speech. He pointed out that censorship is a tool of authoritarian regimes and that Germany’s censorship laws have not prevented the rise of neo-Nazism.
Reactions to Brennan’s Statement:
Brennan’s comments sparked outrage among conservative commentators, who called them "bonkers" and "deeply ignorant." Vance himself responded to the clip, questioning whether the media "really think the holocaust was caused by free speech."
Turley’s Commentary:
Turley argued that Brennan’s statement is part of an anti-free speech narrative used by authoritarian regimes. He stressed that free speech is vital for a functioning democracy and that censorship invariably silences the wrong people.
Conclusion:
Jonathan Turley’s analysis supports Vice President Vance’s defense of free speech in Europe. Turley argues that censorship is a grave threat to democracy and that it must be resolutely opposed. He also condemns the false and dangerous claim that free speech was responsible for the Holocaust.
