Petition to Congress: Protect Free Speech and Stop Ideological Targeting

As your constituent, I call on you and all of Congress to take immediate action to reject and prohibit the dangerous overreach outlined in the recent White House memorandum on combating political violence. While political violence must be condemned and prosecuted, this memorandum does not limit itself to acts of violence. Instead, it explicitly targets constitutionally protected beliefs such as anti-Americanism, anti-capitalism, and anti-Christianity, and proposes labeling organizations as “domestic terrorist organizations” without any statutory basis or legal safeguards. Such measures are alarming because they: Criminalize beliefs, not actions — Government should prosecute violence, not ideas. Lack due process — There is no established procedure, judicial review, or congressional oversight for labeling domestic groups. Chill free speech — Ordinary Americans will fear surveillance, investigation, or blacklisting for their political or religious views. Invite abuse — Today’s administration may target one ideology; tomorrow’s could target another, threatening Americans across the political spectrum. History has shown us the dangers of government overreach: the McCarthy-era blacklist, IRS targeting of political groups, and FBI surveillance of religious communities. This memorandum repeats those mistakes, eroding the very freedoms it claims to defend. I urge Congress to: Reject any attempt to criminalize constitutionally protected beliefs. Prevent the executive branch from creating a “domestic terrorist organization” designation without statutory authority and safeguards. Affirm that Americans cannot be investigated, harassed, or blacklisted solely for their ideology. Strengthen protections for free speech, association, and due process. In the United States, people are punished for their actions, not their opinions. If Congress fails to act, this memo sets a precedent where political dissent is equated with terrorism. That is incompatible with the First Amendment and with American democracy itself.