Posted on 01/17/2018 9:34:49 AM PST by SeekAndFind
WASHINGTON (AP) Basic rights and political freedoms in the United States are deteriorating at a faster pace under President Donald Trump, exacerbated by attacks on key institutions like the press and the courts, according to a new report released Tuesday by Freedom House.
In its annual global assessment, the think tank slammed the Trump administration for withdrawing from America's "historical commitment to promoting and supporting democracy," calling it perhaps the most striking on a "long list of troubling developments" around the world in 2017. The report criticizes Trump for making false statements, refusing to disclose his taxes and other information, violating basic ethical standards and taking insufficient steps to counter Russian meddling in the 2016 election.
Ohio Gov. John Kasich, a Republican who ran against Trump in the election, said he believed American institutions were strong enough to withstand attacks, but was concerned about Trump's weak support for NATO, the Iran nuclear deal and other global alliances that serve as bulwarks against authoritarian governments. Previewing the report, Kasich said he was also worried that Trump's frequent disparagement of the press and judiciary could send a signal to autocrats overseas that it's OK to delegitimize those institutions in their own countries.
"I would hope that over time, the people who are around the president would make clear that words matter," Kasich said on a conference call organized by Freedom House. "Sometimes when you're frustrated, it makes sense to sit on your hands or keep your mouth shut."
Freedom House, based in Washington, describes itself as a non-partisan watchdog group. Its annual report on the state of political freedoms examines countries around the world and has often focused on the decline of democracy abroad.
(Excerpt) Read more at yahoo.com ...
Love the comments in response to this fake news.
Tikiguy wrote:
What? Trump hasn’t arrested anyone for their religious beliefs (i.e. Kentucky clerk with Obama Admin.) Trump hasn’t used the IRS to target Christian charities? (Again, Obama Admin) Trump isn’t part of the anti 2nd Amendment crowd. Trump isn’t part of the political PC campaign attacking free speech. What on earth are you looking at?
I haven’t lost any.
Freedom is never more at risk than when congress is in session.
Well, maybe Democrat freedoms.
They mean the freedom to break the law and burn the flag.
Earth to John Kasich:
Tinpot despots don’t need any coaching from Trump to denigrate institutions in their countries. It’s sort of what they do.
Two feminazis with an obama phone and a gmail account.
My 2A rights keep expanding every year.
Possibly my freedom to have my vote count will increase, but the libs are fighting a rear guard action on that.
MAGA
Oh please...you shit-stirrers have been doing your best to shut down conservatism with your protests, you destruction of property, your physical assaults on conservatives, your black-balling of conservatives on campuses.
GFY.
...or even jailed... ...or harassed by the FBI or Secret Service...
OK. NAME ONE!
Read good comments following article all favoring Trump and pointing out freedoms GAINED!
Leftist disinformation campaign. Precisely the opposite is true.
Trump lacked the power to anything about the Russians, or anyone else, meddling in the 2016 election. That was Barack Obamas job.
They Did!
- withdrawing from America’s “historical commitment to promoting and supporting democracy,”
- making false statements
- refusing to disclose his taxes and other information
- violating basic ethical standards
- taking insufficient steps to counter Russian meddling in the 2016 election.
All of those are clearly written and ensconced in the US Constitution that guarantees the citizens a democratically appointed ^REPRESENTATIVE REPUBLIC^ form of government.
It is soooo clear.
< /s >
Bull. The censorship and lack of free speech is on the left.
BS.
Rights and political freedoms are being destroyed by a tech oligarchy run from behind the scenes by Democrats and socialists set on destroying ACTUAL constitutional rights and liberties.
All Trump has done is make the press account for its words like Josh here... they dont like that - not one bit.
BS.
Rights and political freedoms are being destroyed by a tech oligarchy run from behind the scenes by Democrats and socialists set on destroying ACTUAL constitutional rights and liberties.
All Trump has done is make the press account for its words like Josh here... they dont like that - not one bit.
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