Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression
@thefireorg.bsky.social
We defend and promote free speech for all Americans in our courtrooms, on our campuses, and in our culture.
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America today feels divided.
But the one thing we should all agree on is free speech.
We're FIRE. We defend your First Amendment rights no matter who you are or what you believe.
Because that’s what being principled and nonpartisan is all about.
But the one thing we should all agree on is free speech.
We're FIRE. We defend your First Amendment rights no matter who you are or what you believe.
Because that’s what being principled and nonpartisan is all about.
Brotherhood and sisterhood are forced to take a backseat to bureaucracy and suppression in Greek Life at @GallaudetU.
Their new Greek Reform Guidelines impose sweeping rules that ban words like “pledge,” control student attire at events, and restrict who can become members.
Their new Greek Reform Guidelines impose sweeping rules that ban words like “pledge,” control student attire at events, and restrict who can become members.
September 30, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Brotherhood and sisterhood are forced to take a backseat to bureaucracy and suppression in Greek Life at @GallaudetU.
Their new Greek Reform Guidelines impose sweeping rules that ban words like “pledge,” control student attire at events, and restrict who can become members.
Their new Greek Reform Guidelines impose sweeping rules that ban words like “pledge,” control student attire at events, and restrict who can become members.
A federal court has vindicated the rights of a @USD professor who was set to be fired for social media posts about Charlie Kirk’s murder.
This decision confirms what FIRE has long said—the First Amendment protects faculty’s personal speech on matters of public concern.
This decision confirms what FIRE has long said—the First Amendment protects faculty’s personal speech on matters of public concern.
September 25, 2025 at 6:29 PM
A federal court has vindicated the rights of a @USD professor who was set to be fired for social media posts about Charlie Kirk’s murder.
This decision confirms what FIRE has long said—the First Amendment protects faculty’s personal speech on matters of public concern.
This decision confirms what FIRE has long said—the First Amendment protects faculty’s personal speech on matters of public concern.
Texas’s Angelo State University reportedly has an unwritten policy that bans faculty from discussing “transgender topics,” using students’ preferred names, or displaying LGBTQ flags.
As a public university, ASU must allow faculty to teach students as they see fit.
As a public university, ASU must allow faculty to teach students as they see fit.
September 24, 2025 at 8:27 PM
Texas’s Angelo State University reportedly has an unwritten policy that bans faculty from discussing “transgender topics,” using students’ preferred names, or displaying LGBTQ flags.
As a public university, ASU must allow faculty to teach students as they see fit.
As a public university, ASU must allow faculty to teach students as they see fit.
The University of Missouri doubles down on cancelling a student event for using “Black” in the name, claiming students might think it was racially exclusive.
Yet Mizzou has no issue with its own Gaines/Oldham Black Culture Center or Black Studies courses.
Pot, meet kettle.
Yet Mizzou has no issue with its own Gaines/Oldham Black Culture Center or Black Studies courses.
Pot, meet kettle.
September 24, 2025 at 2:49 PM
The University of Missouri doubles down on cancelling a student event for using “Black” in the name, claiming students might think it was racially exclusive.
Yet Mizzou has no issue with its own Gaines/Oldham Black Culture Center or Black Studies courses.
Pot, meet kettle.
Yet Mizzou has no issue with its own Gaines/Oldham Black Culture Center or Black Studies courses.
Pot, meet kettle.
Google should not have waited to acknowledge it was pressured by the Biden administration to block content on its platforms.
Google condemns jawboning now, but it failed to stand up for the rights of its users when it mattered.
Google condemns jawboning now, but it failed to stand up for the rights of its users when it mattered.
September 23, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Google should not have waited to acknowledge it was pressured by the Biden administration to block content on its platforms.
Google condemns jawboning now, but it failed to stand up for the rights of its users when it mattered.
Google condemns jawboning now, but it failed to stand up for the rights of its users when it mattered.
BREAKING: A University of South Dakota professor filed a federal lawsuit today after the university moved to fire him over a Facebook post about Charlie Kirk’s assassination, following pressure from top state officials.
FIRE supports Professor Hook’s efforts to defend his First Amendment rights.
FIRE supports Professor Hook’s efforts to defend his First Amendment rights.
September 23, 2025 at 7:48 PM
BREAKING: A University of South Dakota professor filed a federal lawsuit today after the university moved to fire him over a Facebook post about Charlie Kirk’s assassination, following pressure from top state officials.
FIRE supports Professor Hook’s efforts to defend his First Amendment rights.
FIRE supports Professor Hook’s efforts to defend his First Amendment rights.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr’s defenders say he didn’t pressure ABC to suspend Jimmy Kimmel. The complete timeline of events proves a different story.
✍🏻: Tyler Tone
www.thefire.org/news/carrs-t...
✍🏻: Tyler Tone
www.thefire.org/news/carrs-t...
Carr’s threats to ABC are jawboning any way you slice it
ABC suspended Jimmy Kimmel hours after FCC Chair Brendan Carr suggested they could face consequences for remarks Kimmel made in the aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s murder.
www.thefire.org
September 22, 2025 at 7:33 PM
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr’s defenders say he didn’t pressure ABC to suspend Jimmy Kimmel. The complete timeline of events proves a different story.
✍🏻: Tyler Tone
www.thefire.org/news/carrs-t...
✍🏻: Tyler Tone
www.thefire.org/news/carrs-t...
FIRE’s Bob Corn-Revere for @PostOpinions: FCC Chair Brendan Carr nakedly abused government power to pressure ABC into removing Jimmy Kimmel from the air for his speech. In America, the government doesn’t get to play network executive and determine who and what you watch.
September 18, 2025 at 6:55 PM
FIRE’s Bob Corn-Revere for @PostOpinions: FCC Chair Brendan Carr nakedly abused government power to pressure ABC into removing Jimmy Kimmel from the air for his speech. In America, the government doesn’t get to play network executive and determine who and what you watch.
The firing of Clemson University faculty members for posts about the murder of Charlie Kirk is the start of a troubling national trend.
FIRE reminds Clemson and all public universities that protected speech remains protected, even in tragedy.
FIRE reminds Clemson and all public universities that protected speech remains protected, even in tragedy.
September 17, 2025 at 6:11 PM
The firing of Clemson University faculty members for posts about the murder of Charlie Kirk is the start of a troubling national trend.
FIRE reminds Clemson and all public universities that protected speech remains protected, even in tragedy.
FIRE reminds Clemson and all public universities that protected speech remains protected, even in tragedy.
On Constitution Day, we honor the principles that make America strong and remember that its survival depends on us.
Introducing Soapbox: FIRE’s bold new conference to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with high-impact keynotes, timely panels, and unforgettable entertainment.
Introducing Soapbox: FIRE’s bold new conference to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with high-impact keynotes, timely panels, and unforgettable entertainment.
September 17, 2025 at 4:09 PM
On Constitution Day, we honor the principles that make America strong and remember that its survival depends on us.
Introducing Soapbox: FIRE’s bold new conference to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with high-impact keynotes, timely panels, and unforgettable entertainment.
Introducing Soapbox: FIRE’s bold new conference to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with high-impact keynotes, timely panels, and unforgettable entertainment.
WEBINAR: U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi says hate speech isn’t free speech—but the Supreme Court has declared otherwise.
Join FIRE as we unpack Bondi’s remarks, explain what the law actually says, and respond to the latest free speech news from the past week.
Join FIRE as we unpack Bondi’s remarks, explain what the law actually says, and respond to the latest free speech news from the past week.
September 16, 2025 at 4:01 PM
WEBINAR: U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi says hate speech isn’t free speech—but the Supreme Court has declared otherwise.
Join FIRE as we unpack Bondi’s remarks, explain what the law actually says, and respond to the latest free speech news from the past week.
Join FIRE as we unpack Bondi’s remarks, explain what the law actually says, and respond to the latest free speech news from the past week.
President Trump suggested today that media outlets are engaging in “hate speech” by being “unfair” to him and “maybe” should be prosecuted.
Trump’s statement demonstrates the inherent danger of “hate speech” laws: Those in power will always weaponize them to silence dissent.
Trump’s statement demonstrates the inherent danger of “hate speech” laws: Those in power will always weaponize them to silence dissent.
September 16, 2025 at 3:36 PM
President Trump suggested today that media outlets are engaging in “hate speech” by being “unfair” to him and “maybe” should be prosecuted.
Trump’s statement demonstrates the inherent danger of “hate speech” laws: Those in power will always weaponize them to silence dissent.
Trump’s statement demonstrates the inherent danger of “hate speech” laws: Those in power will always weaponize them to silence dissent.
There is no hate speech exception to the First Amendment. Nevertheless, the attorney general says "there's free speech, and then there's hate speech," and the government will "target you, go after you, if you are targeting anyone with hate speech."
September 16, 2025 at 1:04 PM
There is no hate speech exception to the First Amendment. Nevertheless, the attorney general says "there's free speech, and then there's hate speech," and the government will "target you, go after you, if you are targeting anyone with hate speech."
After Charlie Kirk’s murder, the cancel culture machine has kicked into gear, with mob mentality driving firings, investigations, and political pressure.
FIRE's Adam Goldstein looks at how tragedy affects our culture of free speech. ⬇️
www.thefire.org/news/we-are-...
FIRE's Adam Goldstein looks at how tragedy affects our culture of free speech. ⬇️
www.thefire.org/news/we-are-...
We are in the cancel culture part of the tragedy cycle
Cancel culture ends when we decide that people can be horrifically wrong and still entitled to the grace that enables us all to grow from our worst moments.
www.thefire.org
September 12, 2025 at 8:58 PM
After Charlie Kirk’s murder, the cancel culture machine has kicked into gear, with mob mentality driving firings, investigations, and political pressure.
FIRE's Adam Goldstein looks at how tragedy affects our culture of free speech. ⬇️
www.thefire.org/news/we-are-...
FIRE's Adam Goldstein looks at how tragedy affects our culture of free speech. ⬇️
www.thefire.org/news/we-are-...
Student acceptance of violence to silence speakers is at a record high.
In 2020, 1 in 5 students said violence was acceptable to stop a speaker. In 2025, that number is 1 in 3.
That’s a 79% increase in just five years. And it’s chilling.
In 2020, 1 in 5 students said violence was acceptable to stop a speaker. In 2025, that number is 1 in 3.
That’s a 79% increase in just five years. And it’s chilling.
September 12, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Student acceptance of violence to silence speakers is at a record high.
In 2020, 1 in 5 students said violence was acceptable to stop a speaker. In 2025, that number is 1 in 3.
That’s a 79% increase in just five years. And it’s chilling.
In 2020, 1 in 5 students said violence was acceptable to stop a speaker. In 2025, that number is 1 in 3.
That’s a 79% increase in just five years. And it’s chilling.
“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: Charlie Kirk was shot during an event at Utah Valley University today. Details of the incident are still unfolding.
Political violence is never an acceptable response to speech. Free speech allows us to settle our differences peacefully and is essential to a free and democratic society.
Political violence is never an acceptable response to speech. Free speech allows us to settle our differences peacefully and is essential to a free and democratic society.
September 10, 2025 at 7:23 PM
BREAKING: Charlie Kirk was shot during an event at Utah Valley University today. Details of the incident are still unfolding.
Political violence is never an acceptable response to speech. Free speech allows us to settle our differences peacefully and is essential to a free and democratic society.
Political violence is never an acceptable response to speech. Free speech allows us to settle our differences peacefully and is essential to a free and democratic society.
Yesterday, after a video of a student complaining about discussions of gender identity in a Texas A&M “Literature for Children” class went viral, Governor Greg Abbott demanded on X that Texas A&M President Mark Welsh fire Professor Melissa McCoul for the content of her course.
September 10, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Yesterday, after a video of a student complaining about discussions of gender identity in a Texas A&M “Literature for Children” class went viral, Governor Greg Abbott demanded on X that Texas A&M President Mark Welsh fire Professor Melissa McCoul for the content of her course.
Who’s winning and who’s failing at campus free speech?
Join FIRE for a special webinar on the 2026 College Free Speech Rankings—and what it means for American colleges and universities.
Register today and bring your questions to the live Q&A! 🔥
Join FIRE for a special webinar on the 2026 College Free Speech Rankings—and what it means for American colleges and universities.
Register today and bring your questions to the live Q&A! 🔥
September 9, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Who’s winning and who’s failing at campus free speech?
Join FIRE for a special webinar on the 2026 College Free Speech Rankings—and what it means for American colleges and universities.
Register today and bring your questions to the live Q&A! 🔥
Join FIRE for a special webinar on the 2026 College Free Speech Rankings—and what it means for American colleges and universities.
Register today and bring your questions to the live Q&A! 🔥
BREAKING: FIRE’s 2026 College Free Speech Rankings reveal America’s colleges are failing.
The nation’s report card on campus speech shows over half of colleges received an “F” rating. Intolerance in students has skyrocketed in the Trump 2.0 era.
The nation’s report card on campus speech shows over half of colleges received an “F” rating. Intolerance in students has skyrocketed in the Trump 2.0 era.
September 9, 2025 at 1:40 PM
BREAKING: FIRE’s 2026 College Free Speech Rankings reveal America’s colleges are failing.
The nation’s report card on campus speech shows over half of colleges received an “F” rating. Intolerance in students has skyrocketed in the Trump 2.0 era.
The nation’s report card on campus speech shows over half of colleges received an “F” rating. Intolerance in students has skyrocketed in the Trump 2.0 era.
The Florida State Board of Education is pushing school districts to remove library books under a state law restricting descriptions of “sexual conduct,” even threatening criminal charges.
But a federal court just held the law to be overbroad and unconstitutional.
But a federal court just held the law to be overbroad and unconstitutional.
September 5, 2025 at 8:51 PM
The Florida State Board of Education is pushing school districts to remove library books under a state law restricting descriptions of “sexual conduct,” even threatening criminal charges.
But a federal court just held the law to be overbroad and unconstitutional.
But a federal court just held the law to be overbroad and unconstitutional.
What happens when the government “enforces” the law by ignoring it?
The answer hit the Trump administration hard. A federal court ruled this week that the government crossed the line when it froze billions in @harvard.edu’s funding—just as FIRE has publicly argued. 🧵
The answer hit the Trump administration hard. A federal court ruled this week that the government crossed the line when it froze billions in @harvard.edu’s funding—just as FIRE has publicly argued. 🧵
September 5, 2025 at 4:29 PM
What happens when the government “enforces” the law by ignoring it?
The answer hit the Trump administration hard. A federal court ruled this week that the government crossed the line when it froze billions in @harvard.edu’s funding—just as FIRE has publicly argued. 🧵
The answer hit the Trump administration hard. A federal court ruled this week that the government crossed the line when it froze billions in @harvard.edu’s funding—just as FIRE has publicly argued. 🧵
UTC is backpedaling on its Greek life ban, ending it early and referring to it as a temporary “pause.” But last time we checked, the First Amendment isn’t a TV show, and admins don’t get a remote.
Blatant censorship isn’t a pause—it’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
Blatant censorship isn’t a pause—it’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
September 3, 2025 at 4:08 PM
UTC is backpedaling on its Greek life ban, ending it early and referring to it as a temporary “pause.” But last time we checked, the First Amendment isn’t a TV show, and admins don’t get a remote.
Blatant censorship isn’t a pause—it’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
Blatant censorship isn’t a pause—it’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
BREAKING: Free speech doesn’t stop when the sun sets—but Texas thinks it does. A new Texas law forces public universities to ban virtually all expressive activities after 10 PM, a violation of the First Amendment.
That’s why FIRE is suing to stop this chilling law in its tracks.
That’s why FIRE is suing to stop this chilling law in its tracks.
September 3, 2025 at 2:00 PM
BREAKING: Free speech doesn’t stop when the sun sets—but Texas thinks it does. A new Texas law forces public universities to ban virtually all expressive activities after 10 PM, a violation of the First Amendment.
That’s why FIRE is suing to stop this chilling law in its tracks.
That’s why FIRE is suing to stop this chilling law in its tracks.
Reposted by Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression
1/ No government officials can memory-hole their own speech in an attempt to hide their past statements from the public.
Doing it through improper copyright complaints is no less censorship than a direct government order.
Doing it through improper copyright complaints is no less censorship than a direct government order.
Vinay Prasad had YouTube censor Jonathan Howard’s channel because he didn’t like how it made him look.
A petty act by a vindictive, unqualified hack. And more evidence that these frEe sPeEcH warriors have always been petty censors out to silence criticism that they just can’t cope with.
A petty act by a vindictive, unqualified hack. And more evidence that these frEe sPeEcH warriors have always been petty censors out to silence criticism that they just can’t cope with.
My YouTube channel has like 300 followers and 99% of it is just videos of our medical establishment.
Today, I learned they are trying to censor me, instead of doing their job.
Today, I learned they are trying to censor me, instead of doing their job.
September 2, 2025 at 4:28 PM
1/ No government officials can memory-hole their own speech in an attempt to hide their past statements from the public.
Doing it through improper copyright complaints is no less censorship than a direct government order.
Doing it through improper copyright complaints is no less censorship than a direct government order.