🔗 Share this article European Union Could Respond to ‘Unwarranted’ US Visa Bans, Official States The EU might “act quickly and firmly” in response to what it deems “unwarranted” travel bans issued by the US on five Europeans involved in fighting online hate and misinformation, a European Commission spokesperson stated. EU Officials Decry US Action as ‘Coercion’ Officials from Europe such as the French president charged Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, after the visa restrictions targeted individuals that were at the heart of campaigns to introduce laws governing US-based technology firms. “For far too long, ideologues in Europe have led organised efforts to pressure American platforms to punish US perspectives they oppose,” wrote a senior US official in a social media post. “The current administration will no longer tolerate such actions of censorship beyond its borders.” Widespread Condemnation Across Europe Nations including Germany, Spain, and the UK, alongside numerous EU representatives supported the French president in condemning the decision. The restrictions were enacted this week on an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the bloc’s digital governance law, as well as several anti-disinformation campaigners, from two in Germany and two in the UK. An Escalating Conflict Regarding Governance The DSA is viewed by Washington as a type of speech restriction, whereas European leaders argue the rules are necessary to control inflammatory language and disinformation. This row risks becoming part of a far wider ongoing political and ideological clash between Washington and Europe. Additional Updates Reported Today In other legal news: A federal judge has blocked efforts to reduce federal homeland security funding to local governments which resist certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge stated the case was “a further instance” of linking government assistance to policy compliance. Approval was given for the dispatch of 350 national guard members to New Orleans ahead of the holiday period, alongside an active border security initiative. A Pacific Island nation will consent to take in dozens of individuals from the US in return for increased assistance, after concluding a memorandum of understanding with Washington. Additionally, a congressional representative has initiated legal action to demand the removal of a political figure’s name from a well-known cultural institution in the capital. Analysts point out that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a broader belief in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with past foreign policy strategies.
The EU might “act quickly and firmly” in response to what it deems “unwarranted” travel bans issued by the US on five Europeans involved in fighting online hate and misinformation, a European Commission spokesperson stated. EU Officials Decry US Action as ‘Coercion’ Officials from Europe such as the French president charged Washington of “coercion and intimidation”, after the visa restrictions targeted individuals that were at the heart of campaigns to introduce laws governing US-based technology firms. “For far too long, ideologues in Europe have led organised efforts to pressure American platforms to punish US perspectives they oppose,” wrote a senior US official in a social media post. “The current administration will no longer tolerate such actions of censorship beyond its borders.” Widespread Condemnation Across Europe Nations including Germany, Spain, and the UK, alongside numerous EU representatives supported the French president in condemning the decision. The restrictions were enacted this week on an ex-European commissioner involved in crafting the bloc’s digital governance law, as well as several anti-disinformation campaigners, from two in Germany and two in the UK. An Escalating Conflict Regarding Governance The DSA is viewed by Washington as a type of speech restriction, whereas European leaders argue the rules are necessary to control inflammatory language and disinformation. This row risks becoming part of a far wider ongoing political and ideological clash between Washington and Europe. Additional Updates Reported Today In other legal news: A federal judge has blocked efforts to reduce federal homeland security funding to local governments which resist certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge stated the case was “a further instance” of linking government assistance to policy compliance. Approval was given for the dispatch of 350 national guard members to New Orleans ahead of the holiday period, alongside an active border security initiative. A Pacific Island nation will consent to take in dozens of individuals from the US in return for increased assistance, after concluding a memorandum of understanding with Washington. Additionally, a congressional representative has initiated legal action to demand the removal of a political figure’s name from a well-known cultural institution in the capital. Analysts point out that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a broader belief in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, leading to parallels with past foreign policy strategies.