So, it’s official: John Kerry thinks the First Amendment is a “problem” when it comes to fighting disinformation. Yes, you read that right—the former Secretary of State, who served as Biden’s U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, apparently believes the freedom of speech enshrined in the Constitution is getting in the way of his agenda.
In a stunning display of elitism and disdain for the foundational rights of Americans, Kerry made these extreme remarks during a World Economic Forum panel on Green Energy last week. And honestly, it’s a bit hard to wrap your head around.
When asked by an audience member how to combat online disinformation—because, of course, anything that challenges the left’s narrative is labeled “disinformation” these days—Kerry lamented that the First Amendment stands as a “major block” to simply hammering opposing viewpoints out of existence.
Kerry’s exact words? “If people only go to one source, and the source they go to is sick, and, you know, has an agenda, and they’re putting out disinformation, our First Amendment stands as a major block to be able to just, you know, hammer it out of existence.”
“So what we need is to win the ground, win the right to govern, by hopefully winning enough votes that you’re free to be able to implement change,” he added.
Let’s pause for a second and appreciate the gravity of what he’s saying. According to Kerry, free speech itself is a problem because people have the audacity to challenge his agenda. He’s practically calling for a Ministry of Truth to police what’s “fact” and what’s “disinformation.” And his solution? Elect more Democrats, win elections, and “hopefully” then they can curb that pesky little thing called free speech. Chilling.
Kerry went on to whine about how democracies like ours don’t have a “truth arbiter” and how difficult it’s become to build consensus because people “self-select where they go for their news.” You mean like, people are allowed to think for themselves and access a variety of viewpoints? Imagine that! What a dystopia.
And it doesn’t stop there. Kerry emphasized the importance of electing the “right people” in November so they can implement their vision without the annoying obstacle of free speech getting in the way. He warned that democracies are failing because they’re not moving fast enough to deal with “challenges” like climate change. Oh, and if we just “strip away the fearmongering,” this whole climate thing is actually the biggest economic opportunity ever—except, you know, for those pesky small businesses and industries that his policies would crush.
This is the kind of rhetoric that should alarm every single American, regardless of political affiliation. Kerry is openly talking about the First Amendment as a roadblock, not a right. He’s upset that people can choose where they get their news, that there’s no “official” arbiter of truth in a democracy. And his solution is to win elections so Democrats can sidestep the First Amendment and shape the information landscape to fit their agenda.
“Our First Amendment stands as a major block to the ability to be able to hammer [disinformation] out of existence. What we need is to win…the right to govern by hopefully winning enough votes that you’re free to be able to implement change.”
No thanks.pic.twitter.com/SLGHOLVjCr
— Colin Wright (@SwipeWright) September 29, 2024
It’s an incredible peek behind the curtain of how some on the left view the Constitution—as an obstacle, not a safeguard of liberty. Kerry’s comments perfectly capture the disdain some elites have for the basic freedoms that make America, well, America. Maybe instead of trying to censor free speech, he should focus on defending the very principles he once swore to uphold. But I wouldn’t hold my breath.
