Congressional Democrats unveil legislation to protect free speech in US

WASHINGTON

A group of Congressional Democrats unveiled the No Political Enemies Act on Thursday to "stand up" to President Donald Trump's "attacks" on free speech.

"Trump is making it 100% clear that he is going to ramp up his efforts to use the power of the federal government to harass and punish his critics ... That's why we are going to be introducing in both the Senate and the House, the No Political Enemies Act," Sen. Chris Murphy told reporters alongside co-sponsors of the legislation.

Murphy said the legislation will make sure that the law is on the side of free speech and the right to dissent.

The act "creates a specific defense for those that are being targeted for political reasons," he said.

"It builds real consequences for government officials when they use the power of the government to target speech that is protected by the First Amendment," Murphy added.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said the legislation will stop the government from being used as "a political weapon."

"The principle is simple: No president, Democrat, Republican, has the right to turn the federal government into an instrument of political revenge," Schumer said.