Nico Perrino
@nicoperrino.bsky.social
Executive Vice President @thefireorg. Father, husband, civil libertarian, filmmaker (Mighty Ira), podcaster (So to Speak). Opinions my own.
Reposted by Nico Perrino
“Free speech is what we do instead of violence. Civilization started the day man first cast a word instead of a stone.”
We must not lose sight of this civilization-defining distinction.
🎙️: @nicoperrino.bsky.social
📺: @cnn.com
We must not lose sight of this civilization-defining distinction.
🎙️: @nicoperrino.bsky.social
📺: @cnn.com
September 11, 2025 at 5:21 PM
“Free speech is what we do instead of violence. Civilization started the day man first cast a word instead of a stone.”
We must not lose sight of this civilization-defining distinction.
🎙️: @nicoperrino.bsky.social
📺: @cnn.com
We must not lose sight of this civilization-defining distinction.
🎙️: @nicoperrino.bsky.social
📺: @cnn.com
BREAKING: The judge in the Rümeysa Öztürk case just issued his written opinion after ordering her release from the bench last week.
May 16, 2025 at 5:48 PM
BREAKING: The judge in the Rümeysa Öztürk case just issued his written opinion after ordering her release from the bench last week.
The photo doesn't come close to the legal standard for a true threat.
Even still, the government will surely make Comey's life miserable for the foreseeable future.
As former FBI Director, he will be familiar with all the ways it can do so.
Even still, the government will surely make Comey's life miserable for the foreseeable future.
As former FBI Director, he will be familiar with all the ways it can do so.
Former FBI Director James Comey’s now-deleted “86 47” social media post is political speech protected by the First Amendment. It neither constitutes a true threat nor merits federal investigation.
There is SCOTUS precedent to prove it.
There is SCOTUS precedent to prove it.
Comey under investigation for ‘threat’ to Trump on social media, officials say
The Trump administration accused the former FBI director of insinuating a call to violence in his Instagram post, which he denied.
www.washingtonpost.com
May 16, 2025 at 3:36 PM
The photo doesn't come close to the legal standard for a true threat.
Even still, the government will surely make Comey's life miserable for the foreseeable future.
As former FBI Director, he will be familiar with all the ways it can do so.
Even still, the government will surely make Comey's life miserable for the foreseeable future.
As former FBI Director, he will be familiar with all the ways it can do so.
The DOJ filed another revealing brief in the Mahmoud Khalil case late yesterday.
I was naturally interested in the section titled "Khalil’s As-Applied Challenged Does Not Account for His Reported Conduct."
I was naturally interested in the section titled "Khalil’s As-Applied Challenged Does Not Account for His Reported Conduct."
May 15, 2025 at 4:19 PM
The DOJ filed another revealing brief in the Mahmoud Khalil case late yesterday.
I was naturally interested in the section titled "Khalil’s As-Applied Challenged Does Not Account for His Reported Conduct."
I was naturally interested in the section titled "Khalil’s As-Applied Challenged Does Not Account for His Reported Conduct."
Perverting language is endemic to politics.
Here, the feds are weaponizing government in the name of opposing its weaponization.
It is not DOJ's proper role to play a modern day Joseph McCarthy and use the power of the state to engage in cancel culture.
Here, the feds are weaponizing government in the name of opposing its weaponization.
It is not DOJ's proper role to play a modern day Joseph McCarthy and use the power of the state to engage in cancel culture.
DOJ 'weaponization' group will shame individuals it can't charge with crimes, new head says
As Jeanine Pirro prepares to become U.S. attorney in D.C., Trump loyalist Ed Martin is taking over the Justice Department's effort to investigate Trump's investigators.
www.nbcnews.com
May 14, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Perverting language is endemic to politics.
Here, the feds are weaponizing government in the name of opposing its weaponization.
It is not DOJ's proper role to play a modern day Joseph McCarthy and use the power of the state to engage in cancel culture.
Here, the feds are weaponizing government in the name of opposing its weaponization.
It is not DOJ's proper role to play a modern day Joseph McCarthy and use the power of the state to engage in cancel culture.
Local Chicago guy calls for free speech during first press conference in new gig.
Pope Leo XIV expressed solidarity with imprisoned journalists and affirmed the “precious gift of free speech and the press.” He spoke in an audience with some of the 6,000 journalists who descended on Rome to cover his election as the first American pontiff.
Pope Leo XIV urges release of imprisoned journalists, affirms gift of free speech and press
Pope Leo XIV has called for the release of imprisoned journalists and affirmed the “precious gift of free speech and the press.”
bit.ly
May 12, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Local Chicago guy calls for free speech during first press conference in new gig.
Nobody is obligated to defend anybody else's rights.
Nevertheless, there is a proud tradition within the Jewish civil libertarian community of defending free speech rights for all speakers.
Nevertheless, there is a proud tradition within the Jewish civil libertarian community of defending free speech rights for all speakers.
May 12, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Nobody is obligated to defend anybody else's rights.
Nevertheless, there is a proud tradition within the Jewish civil libertarian community of defending free speech rights for all speakers.
Nevertheless, there is a proud tradition within the Jewish civil libertarian community of defending free speech rights for all speakers.
Some will argue that Rümeysa Öztürk has no free speech rights the government is bound to respect.
On the contrary, the whole premise of America is that certain rights are "unalienable" and that we establish governments to preserve these rights.
On the contrary, the whole premise of America is that certain rights are "unalienable" and that we establish governments to preserve these rights.
May 9, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Some will argue that Rümeysa Öztürk has no free speech rights the government is bound to respect.
On the contrary, the whole premise of America is that certain rights are "unalienable" and that we establish governments to preserve these rights.
On the contrary, the whole premise of America is that certain rights are "unalienable" and that we establish governments to preserve these rights.
The court in the Khalil case ordered the gov't to report every instance where a Secretary of State invoked the "serious adverse foreign policy consequences" statute for a deportation action.
May 9, 2025 at 1:47 PM
The court in the Khalil case ordered the gov't to report every instance where a Secretary of State invoked the "serious adverse foreign policy consequences" statute for a deportation action.
This is a tax targeting speech, which the First Amendment forbids.
The Stamp Act of 1765 was also a protectionist tax on speech — and its backlash inspired the American Revolution and our constitutional safeguards for free speech and a free press.
The Stamp Act of 1765 was also a protectionist tax on speech — and its backlash inspired the American Revolution and our constitutional safeguards for free speech and a free press.
May 5, 2025 at 2:08 PM
This is a tax targeting speech, which the First Amendment forbids.
The Stamp Act of 1765 was also a protectionist tax on speech — and its backlash inspired the American Revolution and our constitutional safeguards for free speech and a free press.
The Stamp Act of 1765 was also a protectionist tax on speech — and its backlash inspired the American Revolution and our constitutional safeguards for free speech and a free press.
President Trump's repeated targeting of Harvard's tax-exempt status is blatantly illegal under federal law.
The IRS must not be weaponized to target political and ideological opponents — not under Nixon, not under Obama, and not under Trump.
The IRS must not be weaponized to target political and ideological opponents — not under Nixon, not under Obama, and not under Trump.
May 2, 2025 at 1:15 PM
President Trump's repeated targeting of Harvard's tax-exempt status is blatantly illegal under federal law.
The IRS must not be weaponized to target political and ideological opponents — not under Nixon, not under Obama, and not under Trump.
The IRS must not be weaponized to target political and ideological opponents — not under Nixon, not under Obama, and not under Trump.
It's not "tortious interference" for The New York Times to report that Trump's lawsuit against Paramount is baseless.
Because it is.
Because it is.
April 30, 2025 at 3:30 PM
It's not "tortious interference" for The New York Times to report that Trump's lawsuit against Paramount is baseless.
Because it is.
Because it is.
Reposted by Nico Perrino
Wow, finally we get some answer as to what happened! They really did just run all names through law enforcement databases and terminate SEVIS status for anyone with a match, no matter the circumstances or magnitude of the "offense" (including things like speeding tickets and even dropped charges).
HAPPENING NOW: DHS official tells court that agency diverted 10-20 employees to run *1.3 million* names of foreign students through database that tracks criminal charges. Took 2-3 weeks.
There were ~6,400 hits (0.004%). But thousands were for charges that never led to convictions or were dropped.
There were ~6,400 hits (0.004%). But thousands were for charges that never led to convictions or were dropped.
April 29, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Wow, finally we get some answer as to what happened! They really did just run all names through law enforcement databases and terminate SEVIS status for anyone with a match, no matter the circumstances or magnitude of the "offense" (including things like speeding tickets and even dropped charges).
Trump is suing 60 Minutes for $20 billion under Texas' Deceptive Trade Practices Act.
The FCC is investigating the show for "news distortion."
Skydance's merger with 60 Minutes' parent company, Paramount, depends on FCC approval.
The FCC is investigating the show for "news distortion."
Skydance's merger with 60 Minutes' parent company, Paramount, depends on FCC approval.
And now, a note on Bill Owens who, until this past week, was the executive producer of 60 Minutes.
We’ll be back next week with another edition of 60 Minutes.
We’ll be back next week with another edition of 60 Minutes.
April 28, 2025 at 11:37 AM
Trump is suing 60 Minutes for $20 billion under Texas' Deceptive Trade Practices Act.
The FCC is investigating the show for "news distortion."
Skydance's merger with 60 Minutes' parent company, Paramount, depends on FCC approval.
The FCC is investigating the show for "news distortion."
Skydance's merger with 60 Minutes' parent company, Paramount, depends on FCC approval.
How it started vs. how it's going:
Ed Martin edition.
Ed Martin edition.
April 26, 2025 at 5:08 PM
How it started vs. how it's going:
Ed Martin edition.
Ed Martin edition.
The "conduct" in this case was speech.
College admins have many "tricks" to get away with censorship.
One is to pretend speech is "conduct."
Another is to pretend disciplinary meetings are simply "conversations."
In either case, the intention is to shut the student up.
College admins have many "tricks" to get away with censorship.
One is to pretend speech is "conduct."
Another is to pretend disciplinary meetings are simply "conversations."
In either case, the intention is to shut the student up.
April 26, 2025 at 4:49 PM
The "conduct" in this case was speech.
College admins have many "tricks" to get away with censorship.
One is to pretend speech is "conduct."
Another is to pretend disciplinary meetings are simply "conversations."
In either case, the intention is to shut the student up.
College admins have many "tricks" to get away with censorship.
One is to pretend speech is "conduct."
Another is to pretend disciplinary meetings are simply "conversations."
In either case, the intention is to shut the student up.
Ron Paul asked me about my path to becoming a free speech advocate.
It began when my 5th grade class performed the Trial of John Peter Zenger.
And continued through college, when Douglas Wilson taught me an important lesson about the search for truth.
It began when my 5th grade class performed the Trial of John Peter Zenger.
And continued through college, when Douglas Wilson taught me an important lesson about the search for truth.
April 25, 2025 at 1:15 AM
Ron Paul asked me about my path to becoming a free speech advocate.
It began when my 5th grade class performed the Trial of John Peter Zenger.
And continued through college, when Douglas Wilson taught me an important lesson about the search for truth.
It began when my 5th grade class performed the Trial of John Peter Zenger.
And continued through college, when Douglas Wilson taught me an important lesson about the search for truth.
Listen, I know the military is a highly regimented institution.
Even still, what does it say about the confidence of a nation whose military academy removes hundreds of books from its library and then censors an invited speaker?
Even still, what does it say about the confidence of a nation whose military academy removes hundreds of books from its library and then censors an invited speaker?
April 23, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Listen, I know the military is a highly regimented institution.
Even still, what does it say about the confidence of a nation whose military academy removes hundreds of books from its library and then censors an invited speaker?
Even still, what does it say about the confidence of a nation whose military academy removes hundreds of books from its library and then censors an invited speaker?
Reposted by Nico Perrino
“The problem is power. When you have power, the scent, the allure of censorship is so strong that most people can't resist it and that's what you're seeing with Elon Musk.”
@nicoperrino.bsky.social on how Elon Musk is doing everything possible to censor free speech.
@nicoperrino.bsky.social on how Elon Musk is doing everything possible to censor free speech.
April 21, 2025 at 9:38 PM
“The problem is power. When you have power, the scent, the allure of censorship is so strong that most people can't resist it and that's what you're seeing with Elon Musk.”
@nicoperrino.bsky.social on how Elon Musk is doing everything possible to censor free speech.
@nicoperrino.bsky.social on how Elon Musk is doing everything possible to censor free speech.
BREAKING: Harvard sues.
Harvard University Sues Trump Administration
Harvard’s lawsuit comes after the administration sought to force the university to comply with a list of demands by cutting billions in federal funding the school receives.
www.nytimes.com
April 21, 2025 at 9:12 PM
BREAKING: Harvard sues.
Reposted by Nico Perrino
“Because this is America.” Every fucking word of this.👇
Christopher Hitchens called Reagan “a liar and trickster" and Clinton "corrupt and selfish."
He sued the Bush admin over its surveillance program and was anti-Zionist.
... all while in America on a green card. And nobody even thought of deporting him. Because this is America.
He sued the Bush admin over its surveillance program and was anti-Zionist.
... all while in America on a green card. And nobody even thought of deporting him. Because this is America.
The Deportation of Dissent
Parrhesia or paranoia? From Aristotle to Hitchens, history sides with openness. Will America?
www.bedrockprinciple.com
April 21, 2025 at 9:02 PM
“Because this is America.” Every fucking word of this.👇
Christopher Hitchens called Reagan “a liar and trickster" and Clinton "corrupt and selfish."
He sued the Bush admin over its surveillance program and was anti-Zionist.
... all while in America on a green card. And nobody even thought of deporting him. Because this is America.
He sued the Bush admin over its surveillance program and was anti-Zionist.
... all while in America on a green card. And nobody even thought of deporting him. Because this is America.
The Deportation of Dissent
Parrhesia or paranoia? From Aristotle to Hitchens, history sides with openness. Will America?
www.bedrockprinciple.com
April 21, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Christopher Hitchens called Reagan “a liar and trickster" and Clinton "corrupt and selfish."
He sued the Bush admin over its surveillance program and was anti-Zionist.
... all while in America on a green card. And nobody even thought of deporting him. Because this is America.
He sued the Bush admin over its surveillance program and was anti-Zionist.
... all while in America on a green card. And nobody even thought of deporting him. Because this is America.
Free speech is a value of convenience for many people, something they appeal to when their side is censored.
That's why it was seen as a liberal value during the McCarthy, Civil Rights, and Vietnam War eras, and as a conservative value during the age of political correctness and cancel culture.
That's why it was seen as a liberal value during the McCarthy, Civil Rights, and Vietnam War eras, and as a conservative value during the age of political correctness and cancel culture.
April 21, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Free speech is a value of convenience for many people, something they appeal to when their side is censored.
That's why it was seen as a liberal value during the McCarthy, Civil Rights, and Vietnam War eras, and as a conservative value during the age of political correctness and cancel culture.
That's why it was seen as a liberal value during the McCarthy, Civil Rights, and Vietnam War eras, and as a conservative value during the age of political correctness and cancel culture.
Yes, FIRE spent a lot of time defending the rights of conservatives on campus these past 10 years.
But the enemy of free speech isn’t necessarily partisanship, it’s power.
And in recent months, the boot has been on the other foot.
I share the threats w/ @mehdirhasan.bsky.social and @zeteo.com
But the enemy of free speech isn’t necessarily partisanship, it’s power.
And in recent months, the boot has been on the other foot.
I share the threats w/ @mehdirhasan.bsky.social and @zeteo.com
April 19, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Yes, FIRE spent a lot of time defending the rights of conservatives on campus these past 10 years.
But the enemy of free speech isn’t necessarily partisanship, it’s power.
And in recent months, the boot has been on the other foot.
I share the threats w/ @mehdirhasan.bsky.social and @zeteo.com
But the enemy of free speech isn’t necessarily partisanship, it’s power.
And in recent months, the boot has been on the other foot.
I share the threats w/ @mehdirhasan.bsky.social and @zeteo.com
President Trump says Harvard hires "almost all woke, Radical Left, idiots" and that it's a “JOKE” that "teaches Hate and Stupidity."
Maybe he's right. That doesn't matter.
Maybe he's right. That doesn't matter.
Revoking Harvard’s tax-exempt status will threaten all nonprofits
Targeting Harvard’s tax-exempt status for its views isn’t just political payback — it’s a threat to every nonprofit’s right to dissent.
www.thefire.org
April 18, 2025 at 7:09 PM
President Trump says Harvard hires "almost all woke, Radical Left, idiots" and that it's a “JOKE” that "teaches Hate and Stupidity."
Maybe he's right. That doesn't matter.
Maybe he's right. That doesn't matter.