Donald Trump Urges Senate Republicans to ‘Kill’ Journalist Shield Law

In a significant move, President-elect Donald Trump has urged congressional Republicans to block a bill aimed at safeguarding press freedoms. This development considerably diminishes the chances of the U.S. Senate passing the legislation.

The proposed measure seeks to restrict federal law enforcement’s surveillance of journalists and limit the government’s power to compel disclosure of journalistic sources. It aims to formalize regulations instituted by the Department of Justice under President Joe Biden.

Having unanimously passed the House Judiciary Committee last year, the bill subsequently received a voice vote approval in the House in January. However, Trump’s recent public call to action on his social media platform, Truth Social, emphasized his opposition: “REPUBLICANS MUST KILL THIS BILL!”

To advance the bill in the Senate, substantial debate time would be essential. With Democrats focused on confirming Biden’s judicial nominees before their majority wanes in January, a vote on the legislation appears unlikely without unanimous consent from all 100 senators. Trump’s sway within the Senate Republican Conference further complicates this scenario.

California Republican Kevin Kiley, the bill’s sponsor in the House, acknowledged the setback in a statement, indicating the need for broader consensus. “Based on the feedback we’ve received from Senators and President Trump, it’s clear we have work to do to achieve consensus on this issue,” he said, expressing readiness to collaborate with the upcoming administration.

While a Kiley spokesperson refrained from clarifying specific senators’ responses to the measure, the significance of bipartisan support was apparent. Notably, 19 representatives from both parties—including Democrats and Republicans—expressed their backing for the bill.

Jon Schleuss, president of The NewsGuild-CWA, emphasized the bill’s potential to protect sources across the political spectrum. “Americans would not know about the corruption of former Democratic Senator Bob Menendez or former Republican Representative George Santos without local journalists,” he stated, underscoring the essential role of journalism in holding power accountable.

Gabe Rottman, policy director at the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, labeled the bill a “reasonable and common-sense measure” with widespread bipartisan support. He urged Congress to recognize the ongoing need for legislative safeguards against actions targeting reporters’ confidential communications.

Concerns about Trump’s impending influence on press freedoms arise, particularly due to his previous term’s actions, which included surveillance of journalists. Advocacy groups warn that his administration may threaten journalistic integrity further. Seth Stern of the Freedom of the Press Foundation voiced apprehensions regarding potential retaliation against dissenting journalists in Trump’s second term, cautioning that he might seek to repeal protective measures established under Biden.