Oct. 1, 2025 Editor, The News-Gazette: In the Sept. 24 article entitled, “GOP Campaign Bus Draws Protest”, former Rockbridge Republicans Chair Roger Jarrell is quoted as saying, “Republicans aren’t about protesting, we’re all about freedom of speech to do whatever we want ...”
Although I do wonder (with some alarm!) what he means by “do whatever we want,” what caught my attention was the claim that Republicans “are all about freedom of speech.”
Perhaps Mr. Jarrell has not been paying attention to the statements and actions of the current leader of the GOP, President Donald J. Trump. President Trump’s record makes clear that he cares little about freedom of speech or the press in the way that the First Amendment of the Constitution presents them - as fundamental rights enjoyed by all citizens and many immigrants. Instead, he prosecutes or persecutes individuals and groups whose views he disagrees with. President Trump, among many other examples, has attacked protected speech by: - using the office of the president, the Department of Justice, and other powers of government, through unconstitutional lawsuits or direct threats and force, to silence news and other media that present views unfavorable to the president; - applying political pressure on colleges and universities to censor or discipline students, professors, and administrators who do not align with his views; - deploying National Guard reservists to quell lawful protests by supporters of civil rights and human dignity.
Meanwhile, the leaders of the Republican Party, both nationally and in Virginia, pander to President Trump or remain silent as he strips First Amendment rights from those who are explicitly protected by the Constitution and long judicial precedent. There was a time, not long ago, in this country, when Republicans cared about freedom of speech. Contrary to Mr. Jarrell’s claims, Republicans’ actions demonstrate that this is no longer true.
RICHARD WALLACE Lexington
