🔗 Share this article European Union Could Respond to ‘Unwarranted’ US Travel Restrictions, Spokesperson States The EU might “act quickly and firmly” in response to what it calls “unwarranted” visa bans imposed by the US on five European individuals involved in fighting online hate and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said. European Leaders Decry US Action as ‘Intimidation’ Officials from Europe including the French president accused Washington of “bullying and threats”, following the travel bans targeted individuals who have been central to campaigns to enact laws governing US-based technology firms. “For too long, ideologues in Europe have led coordinated campaigns to coerce American platforms to punish American viewpoints they oppose,” wrote a senior US official in a social media post. “The current administration will not stand for these egregious acts of censorship beyond its borders.” Widespread Condemnation From EU Nations Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported the French president in criticizing the decision. The bans were imposed on Tuesday against a former EU commissioner who helped draft the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), as well as four activists fighting false information, from two in Germany and two in the UK. An Escalating Conflict Regarding Governance The DSA is viewed by US officials as a form of censorship, while European leaders argue the regulations are essential to control hate speech and disinformation. This row risks becoming part of a much broader existing political and ideological clash between Washington and Europe. Additional Updates Reported Today In other judicial developments: A federal judge has blocked attempts to cut federal homeland security funding to local governments which resist certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge ruled the case was “another example” of tying federal aid to policy compliance. Authorization was issued for the deployment of hundreds of national guard troops to a major US city ahead of the holiday period, alongside an active immigration enforcement operation. A Pacific Island nation has agreed to take in dozens of migrants from the US in exchange for increased assistance, following signing a formal agreement with Washington. Additionally, a congressional representative has initiated legal action to demand the removal of the current president’s name from a well-known performing arts center in Washington DC. Experts have also noted that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a wider ideology in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with past foreign policy actions.
The EU might “act quickly and firmly” in response to what it calls “unwarranted” visa bans imposed by the US on five European individuals involved in fighting online hate and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said. European Leaders Decry US Action as ‘Intimidation’ Officials from Europe including the French president accused Washington of “bullying and threats”, following the travel bans targeted individuals who have been central to campaigns to enact laws governing US-based technology firms. “For too long, ideologues in Europe have led coordinated campaigns to coerce American platforms to punish American viewpoints they oppose,” wrote a senior US official in a social media post. “The current administration will not stand for these egregious acts of censorship beyond its borders.” Widespread Condemnation From EU Nations Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported the French president in criticizing the decision. The bans were imposed on Tuesday against a former EU commissioner who helped draft the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), as well as four activists fighting false information, from two in Germany and two in the UK. An Escalating Conflict Regarding Governance The DSA is viewed by US officials as a form of censorship, while European leaders argue the regulations are essential to control hate speech and disinformation. This row risks becoming part of a much broader existing political and ideological clash between Washington and Europe. Additional Updates Reported Today In other judicial developments: A federal judge has blocked attempts to cut federal homeland security funding to local governments which resist certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge ruled the case was “another example” of tying federal aid to policy compliance. Authorization was issued for the deployment of hundreds of national guard troops to a major US city ahead of the holiday period, alongside an active immigration enforcement operation. A Pacific Island nation has agreed to take in dozens of migrants from the US in exchange for increased assistance, following signing a formal agreement with Washington. Additionally, a congressional representative has initiated legal action to demand the removal of the current president’s name from a well-known performing arts center in Washington DC. Experts have also noted that comments regarding foreign petroleum resources reflect a wider ideology in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with past foreign policy actions.