Remarks Announcing an Executive Order on Preventing Online Censorship and an Exchange With Reporters

The President signed an executive order aimed at preventing online censorship. This action calls for new regulations under a part of the Communications Decency Act. These regulations would mean that social media companies that engage in censoring or political conduct might not be able to keep a special legal protection they currently have, known as a liability shield. The order also tells the Federal Trade Commission to stop social media companies from using deceptive practices that affect business. This executive action primarily affects powerful social media companies and is intended to protect the free speech and rights of the American people.

The President stated this order is to defend free speech from what he described as a grave danger posed by social media companies. He argued that these companies have unchecked power to censor, restrict, and alter communication, and that when they make editorial decisions like "fact-checking" or suppressing views, they act as editors rather than neutral platforms. The order aims to address this by potentially removing their liability shield if they engage in such conduct. Executive orders are a long-established use of presidential power, used by every President since George Washington, and are based on the President's constitutional duty to "take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed." However, executive orders cannot create new laws or go beyond the President's constitutional authority, and courts can review them to ensure they follow the Constitution and federal law.

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