Below is my column in the Hill on the historic defense of free speech by Vice President J.D. Vance in Munich last week. Where John F. Kennedy went to Berlin to declare “Ich bin ein Berliner,” Vance went in Munich to declare a type of “Ich bin ein Amerikanisch.” He spoke of free speech as an American with a power and clarity that is unrivaled in modern times. As expected, he is being attacked by Europeans and many in this country on the left. However, his speech was a tour de force of our core values.
Here is the column:
In “Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis,” J.D. Vance wrote, “I don’t believe in transformative moments, as transformation is harder than a moment.”
Despite that profound point, on Feb. 14, Vance found that transformative moment.
Speaking to European leaders at the Munich Security Conference, he shocked his audience by confronting them over their attacks on free speech in the West.
For the free speech community, it was truly Churchillian — no less than the famous Iron Curtain speech in which Churchill dared the West to confront the existential dangers of communism.
Roughly 80 years after Churchill’s speech, Vance called our allies to account not for the growing threat from countries like Russia or China, but from themselves. To a clearly shocked audience, Vance declared that he was not worried about “external actors” but “the threat from within the retreat of Europe from some of its most fundamental values, values shared with the United States of America.”
Vance then pulled back the curtain on the censorship and anti-free-speech policies of the European Union and close allies ranging from the United Kingdom to Sweden. He also chastised one of the most vehemently anti-free speech figures in Europe, Thierry Breton, who led the EU efforts to control speech with draconian measures under the infamous Digital Services Act.
Vance called out the hypocrisy of these nations asking for greater and greater military assistance “in the name of our shared democratic values” even as they eviscerate free speech, the very right that once defined Western Civilization.
The point was crushing.
Before we further commit to the defense of Europe, he argued, we should agree on what we are defending. These European nations are erasing the very distinctions between us and our adversaries.
In my recent book, I discussed many of the examples cited by the vice president. One of the most telling came from Canada last year, when the government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau temporarily blocked the citizenship of Russian dissident Maria Kartasheva. The reason was that she had a conviction (after a trial in absentia) in Russia for condemning the Ukrainian war. The Canadian government declared that Kartasheva’s conviction in Russia aligns with a Criminal Code offense relating to false information in Canada.
In other words, her use of free speech could be prosecuted in Canada under its abusive Section 372(1) of the Criminal Code, punishing speech deemed to be “convey[ing] false information with the intent to alarm or injure anyone.”
Vance ran through just a fraction of the parade of horribles, from Britain arresting people for silent prayers near abortion clinics to Sweden prosecuting a religious protester who burned a Koran, with Judge Göran Lundahl insisting that freedom of expression does not constitute a “free pass to do or say anything.” Apparently, it does not include acts once called blasphemy or insulting religion.
Vance also mocked the underlying premise for speech crackdowns to combat “disinformation,” pointing out that these measures constitute a far greater threat to citizens in the West than any external threat. He had the courage to say what has long been verboten on the restriction of speech to combat foreign influence: “if your democracy can be destroyed with a few hundred thousand dollars of digital advertising from a foreign country, then it wasn’t very strong to begin with.”
In perhaps the greatest single declaration uttered by an American leader since John F. Kennedy in Germany declared “Ich bin ein Berliner,” he added: “If you are running in fear of your own voters, there is nothing America can do for you. Nor, for that matter, is there anything that you can do for the American people that elected me and elected President Trump.”
The reaction of the European diplomats was one of astonishment. Few even offered the usual polite applause. Instead, rows of smug leaders looked straight ahead with the same level of disgust as if Vance were the second coming of the Visogoths threatening the Pax Romana, or Roman Peace.
In a single speech, Vance shattered the hypocrisy of our allies’ calling for a defense of the West while abandoning Western values. They did not like it, and many in the American press joined in dismissing his address.
He was called a “wrecking ball” for bringing up the anti-free speech movement that has swept over Europe. One German official declared “This is all so insane and worrying.” This is a diplomat from a nation that shredded free speech for decades, to the point of arresting people over their ringtones.
Of course, our own anti-free speech voices were in attendance, too. Politico quoted one “former House Democratic staffer” who bravely attacked Vance anonymously: “I was aghast … He was blaming the victim. What the f— was that? I had my mouth open in a room full of people with their mouth open. That was bad.”
No, it was not bad. It was glorious.
After Elon Musk purchased Twitter with the pledge to dismantle the company’s censorship system, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton turned to the EU, calling on it to use its Digital Service Act to force the censorship of her fellow American citizens. That did not leave many people agape. But Vance’s defense of free speech is considered a breathtaking outrage.
In “Hillbilly Elergy,” Vance explained his lack of faith in transformative moments.
“I’ve seen far too many people awash in a genuine desire to change, only to lose their mettle when they realized just how difficult change actually is,” he wrote.
And there is no “genuine desire to change” in Europe. The appetite for censorship is now insatiable, and free speech is in a free fall.
In the midst of this crackdown, Vance spoke with a quintessentially American voice. It was clear, honest and unafraid. There was no pretense or evasion. It was a speech about who we are as a nation and the values that still define us — and no longer define our allies.
They saw him as a virtual hillbilly, an American hayseed who does not understand transnational values.
For the rest of us, it was a true elegy — part lament and part liberating.
Bravo, Mr. Vice President, Bravo.
Jonathan Turley is the Shapiro professor of public interest law at George Washington University and the author of “The Indispensable Right: Free Speech in an Age of Rage.”
I know the national mood and the current Administration is in a serious cost and government cutting state of mind, and I largely support those efforts, but one place where we need to beef up out efforts up our game with the Voice of America and Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty. We need to increase broadcasts via shortwave radio which cannot be censored or blackholed like internet streams can. Editorial control of those stations needs to be reclaimed from their independent boards and dedicated to extolling the virtues of uncensored free speech, conscience, religion, etc.
Much like Presidents FDR and Reagan bypassed the press and went directly to the people, we need to do the same by bypassing Europe’s highly controlled, censored, and often state owned media and taking out message directly to the people.
If USAID wanted to do something useful they should have handed out radio receivers instead of condoms.
Social media in the United States is finally realizing that their survival depends on the free market. The Trump Administration will ensure our country survives the coming recession while Europe/UK disintegrates into third world countries like the rest of the Middle East, Africa, and South America. Let’s face it. There is only a few countries that’ll make the cut in avoiding deep recessions. Border security and tariffs will keep the losers in Canada and Mexico at bay and also help pay for the malfeasance of those governments guilty of maligning our sovereignty.
But how can you assure the message when the Democrats get back in power? Let them win, and the Voice of America goes back to pushing gay pride stuff and abortion, and white guilt, etc.
Congratulations to you, Professor, and to our Vice President!
They were used to an American VP who started remarks with, “Okay guys,” and then talked about AI being two letters and fancy. IOW a VP with very low IQ, someone they could control and from whom they would never have to fear being told they had any duties or obligations.
Now they have to face the reality that they suck and if they don’t clean up their act the US gravy train is coming to a halt.
Somebody went with J.D. Vance to that conference. James Madison. And J.D. took something else with him. Something that retorts to the predictable blowback from that audience. Part of the spirit that is very much us. Tell it to the Marines!
“The reaction of the European diplomats was one of astonishment. Few even offered the usual polite applause. Instead, rows of smug leaders looked straight ahead with the same level of disgust as if Vance were the second coming of the Visogoths threatening the Pax Romana, or Roman Peace.”
*************************************
Like the Romans, the Euros have succumbed to Aristotle’s classic societal progression whereby republics decline into democracies and democracies degenerate into despotisms. They are the modern day Soviets without those wonderful fur hats.
Did anybody post Vance’s full speech yet? If not:
The US ain’t good at free speech either. President Musk is calling for the 60 Minute reporters to be jailed, the WH banned the AP, and Trump is putting effectively a national ban on educational institutions from discussing “DEI”, which under the MAGA definitions covers history, culture, law, current events, and anti-discrimination efforts. They are banning specific books for the DoD schools. Never once has a group that bans books found themself on the right side of history.
The issue is not just free speech. In the most important countries, the “legacy” parties are trying to keep “extremist right-wing” parties out of power, even when they fairly win elections (no vote gathering). In the UK, it is the Reform Party, in France, is the RN (National Rally) Party, and in Germany it is the AfD (Alternative for Germany) Party. See, e.g., https://apnews.com/article/germany-election-far-right-afd-firewall-6e4143a2be1c93126749c8f158b5fe12 These parties are “extremist” mainly one reason: they question the suicidal policy allowing unimpeded entry into their countries of “migrants”. This intolerance to opposing parties is similar to the intolerance to opposing opinions, and similarly was generated by our own Democratic Party.
That’s not the issue.
Congress – not presidents – have the sole authority to make laws, design tariffs, fully fund post offices, appropriate money and declare wars under Article I powers.
Congress, now controlled by Republicans, has this authority!
Ah, but we have our own “from within” here in this country, don’t we?
I did not watch or listen to Vance’s full speech, but, without exception, virtually all of MSM (including prime-time Peter Alexander, Terry Moran, and Rachel Scott and NPR’s Mary Louise Kelly) referred to Vance’s speech as nothing more than a complaint against the stifling of “right-wing” speech.
Of course, we know that the use of the term “right-wing” is intended to invoke an association with extremist thinking akin to KKK and Nazism…media’s own little dog-whistling to promote that association among viewers/listeners to the “news.”
Anyone, please tell me if I missed something. Did Vance mention “right-wing” views? My inference is that he was referring to the suppression of opposing viewpoints that are needed to sift through and come to a sound conclusion.
BTW, it was Germany’s own famous philosopher Georg Hegel who promoted the paradigm of “thesis, antithesis, synthesis.” Funny, hunh?
Lin, no he didn’t. He talked about the concerns of the voters, saying they should be listened to and not brushed aside as worthless or invalid. It was all basically common sense. It’s not a very long speech, it’s worth hearing in full.
Your,
Uncle Henry
don’t start out a comment with “no he didn’t.” It makes it look like you disagreed with lin but you did not.
Good point, thanks.
Lin,
Good observation about them trying to assert anything as “right-wing” with the KKK and Nazism. For them they see free speech as a threat because without censorship, their policies fall apart. Their narrative falls apart. When they cannot win a debate, they wont debate, lie, gaslight.
If we are going to save Europe from itself again then I think we should present the bill first.
Item #1 Greenland, full title and free of all claims.
Greenlanders can accept American citizenship or free travel to wherever they wish to move.
Just a thought.
You will have to eventually deal with the EU anyway since Denmark is in the EU.
We save Europe? And BTW, they owe us nothing.
GEB: Good thought on Greenland, but I dunno about the free travel. My parents routinely offered us kids a “one-way ticket to China” if we didn’t shape up, fast. It scared the livin’ daylights out of us. We don’t want captive “Americans” by default only!
“If we are going to save Europe from itself again then I think we should present the bill first.
Item #1 Greenland, full title and free of all claims.”
Fvck saving Europe. When it falls to pieces, Greenland will be our bosom all buddy just for the asking.
When Trump encouraged supporters to beat people up at his rallies for exercising freedom of speech?
Or George W. Bush established “No Free Speech Zones” on public taxpayer owned streets? Or Bush’s “No Constitution Zones” in any area within 100 miles of an international border (more than 51% of the entire U.S. population living in this zone)?
Or John Ashcroft restoring “Cointelpro-On-Steroids” to punish free speech and other First Amendment protected legal activity?
Republicans are real free speech advocates!
Another day of make-believe for Queen Anon.
Best speech I’ve heard in a generation because it mattered.
George claiming hypocrisy and demonstrating it are not the same
To the extent this blog is an echo chamber it is because of the poor quality of commentary by those of you on the left
I would welcome a dissident with an IQ over 80
It is not hard to argue with anyone
It is hard to persuade
Before we are entitled to use force we are obligated to persuade
You failed
Now hopefully the illegitimate nonsense you erected without consent will be demolished
#74. “Consent”. Now that IS a word, an idea.
For the rest of us, it was a true elegy — part lament and part liberating.
In the words of the organizer for the Feb 14, 2025, Munich Security Conference, Christoph Heusgen,
This conference started as a transatlantic conference; after the speech of Vice President Vance on Friday we have to fear that our common value base is not that common anymore
There, he said it. The damage with his statement to Europe-USA relations is unfathomable.
Christoph Heusgen then broke down in tears. It seems he needed a safe space, jumped off stage because he could not finish his closing statements for the Munich conference, and began to sob uncontrollably in the arms of a woman in the first row of the conference. The response of the audience members? Thunderous applause!
🤡
This is Europe today. Christoph Heusgen and his ilk demonstrate that any modern Visigoth or Mongol group could easily ransack Europe right now. Their response would be to break down and cry. Not even Greta Thornberg could save them!
Europe is lost. America must hold strong.
That was sickening! Europe needs to throw this trash out of office!
hi Floyd, I hope you’re doing well considering everything you’re up against. I think about you on occasion with regard to pain. I see my surgeon tomorrow for the first postop appointment. I find myself getting tired quickly, exhaustion is common after engaging mundane activities at home, and sleeping is poor due to pain of the extremity that underwent surgery. Just letting you know that I understand in part what you mean with regard to having immobility, enduring pain physically, and still showing up for life. I do believe however that during these desert experiences, one must clean to their face, hope, and not deviate from those values which have carried us throughout our life. It gets better
pax
* cling to their Faith
voice recognition dictation is unreliable
Thank you, Estovir! I am doing well. One thing that helps me with pain, is sleeping in my recliner. I have one of those electric ones, with a battery backup to keep me from getting stuck. You can recline it to where you can comfortably sleep, and it helps not to have to work as hard to get back up. I have a hospital bed, but when I lay down in it, it kills my back.
Another trick is distraction. Read a good book, or listen to music, or watch something on TV, to take your mind off. I am sure you will be feeling better soon.
Floyd-
Recliners are near to salvation. Mine helped me get through a knee replacement in 9/2024. I hope you and Estevir the best. Keep focused on the future. And your’re right, a good or even great book helps so much.
If you really want to get distracted read Samuel Eliot Morrison’s
United States Naval Operations in World War 11 , It’s only 14 Volumes. Lots of information there. Some hidden truths.
#74. Europe has faced mass invasions. Perhaps it’s surrender.
Heusgen cried after saying this, “our common value base is not so common anymore.” He was talking about a parent-child relationship where the child must learn to walk independently. I remember being promoted from using a diaper to using the toilet. I cried. The only problem with Heusgen is that this liberation should have occurred in the 1980s or earlier.
The Europeans want their cake and eat it too. They want our umbrella of aid/military support all the while smuggly seeing us as uninformed, crude, and just not aware.
And they want our money and culture (stretching that a bit), yet reject democratic values.
Having lived GY for 15 years, I can tell you this, and please believe me, they hate Americans, they look down on us as uncultured and crude. They got Goethe, you Americans have nothing. Yet, they come here by the millions to indulge in our vacuous culture. They do feel immensely superior to us.
This from a country with a long history of warfare and political instability. Maybe its better that the immigrants take over .
Don’t be fooled, those islamic immigrants are just as smug about the superiority of muslims over the infidel. Just let the Europeans choose to snuggle up to either russia, china, or the islamists for their “protector” from the big bad Americans.
Change comes hard as the democrats and the European elites are finding. We finally have an administration who represent the people of the United States and its constitution. We’ve bailed out Europe with American blood and treasure from the very thing they are now embracing. The VP put them on notice it’s now it’s up to the people of Europe to secure their freedoms. Let’s hope hereafter we’re judicious with risking our blood, wealth and the friends we make. We don’t have to become isolationist but we do have to be less generous.
Famous last words:
“We will build a wall across the entire Mexican border and Mexico will pay for the wall”
“Maybe Covid could be cured by drinking or injecting people with industrial grade bleach?”
“On day one, inflation will go down. The price of eggs will go down. The Russia-Ukraine War will be settled in one day”.
“The United States will send American troops into Gaza (a hot war zone in Muslim territory to disable bombs and land mines). Gaza will be the Riviera of the Middle East”.
Don’t leave out making Canada our 51st state and colonizing Greenland!
You forgot to change email addresses to reply to your own comment
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
#74. Canada bought millions of acres of US farmland. Perhaps DJT is referring to that.
How about taking over the Panama Canal, and re-naming the Gulf of Mexico?
Americanal.
If your going to claim something is a quote then cite the actual quote
Otherwise you are lying
The people that gave us the Nazis and the Stasi and Erich Honecker now want to lecture us on how important it is to stop freedom of speech?????
If not for the US pushing back (only die to the election of Trump) we would have half of Germany stifling the other half. But I guarantee you that if the conservative party gets into power (I will not call them “far right”) you will see the usual leftist slogans like “to resist is patriotism”, “fight the power” and to “protest is to honor freedom”.
American culture with its Constitution and Bill of Rights will prove to be more resilient and enduring than the inferior cultures. I include the Europeans whose respect for individual rights is on par with that of the cultural invader Pichai who fired James Damore for an unwoke opinion stating that he was fired to protect freedom of speech. Unassimilated invader.
Sounds like Trump is continuing Monica Goodling’s (Bush Administration) purge of the DOJ to retaliate against legal First Amendment activity by federal employees – including retaliating against federal employees’ free speech rights!
Maybe Trump & Vance need to walk-the-walk and talk less?
If you speak as a government employee
You have no first amendment protections
The first amendment protects the speech of individuals not government
When you leave the office and speak as an individual you have first amendment protection