🔗 Share this article EU Might Respond to ‘Unwarranted’ US Travel Restrictions, Spokesperson Says The European Union could “respond swiftly and decisively” against what it calls “unjustified” travel bans issued by the US against five Europeans working on fighting online hate and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said. European Leaders Decry US Action as ‘Intimidation’ European leaders such as the French president charged the US administration of “coercion and intimidation”, after the visa restrictions were placed on figures who have been central to efforts to enact laws governing American tech companies. “For too long, ideologues in Europe have spearheaded organised efforts to pressure American platforms to punish US perspectives they disagree with,” wrote a senior US official online. “The current administration will no longer tolerate such actions of censorship beyond its borders.” Broad Criticism Across Europe Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined France in condemning the move. The restrictions were enacted this week on a former EU commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s digital governance law, as well as four anti-disinformation campaigners, including two in Germany and two in the UK. An Escalating Conflict Regarding Governance The DSA is seen by US officials as a form of censorship, while European leaders argue the rules are essential to combat inflammatory language and falsehoods. This row risks becoming a facet of a much broader existing political and ideological clash involving the current US administration and Europe. Additional Updates Reported Today In other legal developments: A federal judge has halted efforts to reduce federal homeland security funding to local governments that do not comply with specific federal immigration rules. The official ruled the case was “another example” of linking government assistance to policy compliance. Authorization was issued for the deployment of hundreds of national guard troops to New Orleans ahead of the holiday period, alongside an ongoing border security initiative. A Pacific Island nation will consent to take in a limited number of migrants from the US in exchange for increased assistance, following concluding a memorandum of understanding with US authorities. Additionally, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit seeking the stripping of the current president’s name from a well-known performing arts center in the capital. Experts point out that comments regarding Venezuelan oil reflect a wider ideology in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with historical international strategies.
The European Union could “respond swiftly and decisively” against what it calls “unjustified” travel bans issued by the US against five Europeans working on fighting online hate and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said. European Leaders Decry US Action as ‘Intimidation’ European leaders such as the French president charged the US administration of “coercion and intimidation”, after the visa restrictions were placed on figures who have been central to efforts to enact laws governing American tech companies. “For too long, ideologues in Europe have spearheaded organised efforts to pressure American platforms to punish US perspectives they disagree with,” wrote a senior US official online. “The current administration will no longer tolerate such actions of censorship beyond its borders.” Broad Criticism Across Europe Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined France in condemning the move. The restrictions were enacted this week on a former EU commissioner involved in crafting the EU’s digital governance law, as well as four anti-disinformation campaigners, including two in Germany and two in the UK. An Escalating Conflict Regarding Governance The DSA is seen by US officials as a form of censorship, while European leaders argue the rules are essential to combat inflammatory language and falsehoods. This row risks becoming a facet of a much broader existing political and ideological clash involving the current US administration and Europe. Additional Updates Reported Today In other legal developments: A federal judge has halted efforts to reduce federal homeland security funding to local governments that do not comply with specific federal immigration rules. The official ruled the case was “another example” of linking government assistance to policy compliance. Authorization was issued for the deployment of hundreds of national guard troops to New Orleans ahead of the holiday period, alongside an ongoing border security initiative. A Pacific Island nation will consent to take in a limited number of migrants from the US in exchange for increased assistance, following concluding a memorandum of understanding with US authorities. Additionally, a congressional representative has filed a lawsuit seeking the stripping of the current president’s name from a well-known performing arts center in the capital. Experts point out that comments regarding Venezuelan oil reflect a wider ideology in some quarters of “economic expansionism”, drawing comparisons with historical international strategies.