Texas Representative Jasmin Crockett publicly lambasted Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday following his announcement of new visa restrictions targeting foreign officials allegedly involved in censoring American citizens. In a sharp post on X (formerly Twitter), Crockett accused the administration of hypocrisy regarding the scrutiny of social media activity.
“Oh, so now we care about what people post on social media?” Crockett wrote. “Wild how student visas are getting paused for a vibe check, but some of y’all have been posting red flags for years and still got a security clearance. Make it make sense.”
Crockett’s comments came in direct response to Secretary Rubio’s declaration of a new visa policy aimed at those deemed “complicit” in suppressing American free speech. Rubio stated the move signals a more aggressive stance by the Trump administration against perceived infringements on this fundamental right.
“For too long, Americans have been fined, harassed, and even charged by foreign authorities for exercising their free speech rights,” Rubio announced on X. “Today, I am announcing a new visa restriction policy that will apply to foreign officials and persons who are complicit in censoring Americans. Free speech is essential to the American way of life – a birthright over which foreign governments have no authority.”
In a subsequent detailed statement, Rubio elaborated that the policy would apply to foreign nationals “responsible for censorship of protected expression in the United States.” He emphasized that actions such as foreign officials issuing or threatening arrest warrants for U.S. citizens based on social media posts made on U.S. soil, or demanding U.S. tech platforms adopt global censorship policies, are unacceptable.
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“We will not tolerate encroachments upon American sovereignty, especially when such encroachments undermine the exercise of our fundamental right to free speech,” Rubio asserted, confirming the policy is enacted under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. This section allows the Secretary of State to deem an alien inadmissible if their entry could have “potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences.” The restrictions may also extend to certain family members of the targeted individuals.
Rubio added, “Whether in Latin America, Europe, or elsewhere, the days of passive treatment for those who work to undermine the rights of Americans are over.”
While the U.S. has historically condemned censorship in nations like China, Russia, Iran, and Cuba, this new policy appears to broaden its focus. The Trump administration has recently criticized actions within the European Union. Vice President JD Vance, for instance, has argued that measures like the EU’s Digital Services Act could indirectly impose European censorship standards on the U.S.
During a February address at the Munich Security Conference, Vance accused European leaders of stifling dissent by labeling it “misinformation” and “disinformation,” citing examples including prosecutions over silent prayer near UK abortion clinics and German authorities policing anti-feminist speech online.
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