🔗 Share this article European Union Might Respond to ‘Unjustified’ US Visa Bans, Spokesperson States The EU might “respond swiftly and decisively” against what it deems “unwarranted” travel bans imposed by the United States on five Europeans working on fighting online hate and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said. EU Officials Condemn US Action as ‘Intimidation’ Officials from Europe including the French president charged the US administration of “bullying and threats”, following the travel bans were placed on figures that were central to efforts to introduce legislation regulating US-based technology firms. “For far too long, European activists have spearheaded coordinated campaigns to pressure American platforms to suppress American viewpoints they oppose,” wrote a senior US official online. “The current administration will no longer tolerate such actions of extraterritorial censorship.” Broad Criticism From EU Nations Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported France in criticizing the decision. The restrictions were enacted this week on a former EU commissioner involved in crafting the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA), along with several activists fighting false information, including Germany and the United Kingdom. A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation This European legislation is viewed by US officials as a form of censorship, while EU authorities contend the regulations are essential to combat inflammatory language and falsehoods. This row risks becoming part of a much broader ongoing cultural and political conflict involving Washington and European institutions. Other Developments Reported Today In other judicial developments: A federal judge has blocked attempts to cut security grants to local governments which resist specific federal immigration rules. The official stated the action was “a further instance” of tying federal aid to adherence to directives. Approval was given for the dispatch of 350 national guard members to a major US city prior to the new year, coinciding with an active border security initiative. The nation of Palau has agreed to take in a limited number of migrants from the US in return for additional aid, after signing a memorandum of understanding with US authorities. Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has initiated legal action to demand the removal of the current president’s name from a well-known performing arts center in Washington DC. Analysts have also noted that comments regarding Venezuelan oil align with a wider ideology in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, drawing comparisons with historical international actions.
The EU might “respond swiftly and decisively” against what it deems “unwarranted” travel bans imposed by the United States on five Europeans working on fighting online hate and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson has said. EU Officials Condemn US Action as ‘Intimidation’ Officials from Europe including the French president charged the US administration of “bullying and threats”, following the travel bans were placed on figures that were central to efforts to introduce legislation regulating US-based technology firms. “For far too long, European activists have spearheaded coordinated campaigns to pressure American platforms to suppress American viewpoints they oppose,” wrote a senior US official online. “The current administration will no longer tolerate such actions of extraterritorial censorship.” Broad Criticism From EU Nations Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported France in criticizing the decision. The restrictions were enacted this week on a former EU commissioner involved in crafting the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA), along with several activists fighting false information, including Germany and the United Kingdom. A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation This European legislation is viewed by US officials as a form of censorship, while EU authorities contend the regulations are essential to combat inflammatory language and falsehoods. This row risks becoming part of a much broader ongoing cultural and political conflict involving Washington and European institutions. Other Developments Reported Today In other judicial developments: A federal judge has blocked attempts to cut security grants to local governments which resist specific federal immigration rules. The official stated the action was “a further instance” of tying federal aid to adherence to directives. Approval was given for the dispatch of 350 national guard members to a major US city prior to the new year, coinciding with an active border security initiative. The nation of Palau has agreed to take in a limited number of migrants from the US in return for additional aid, after signing a memorandum of understanding with US authorities. Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has initiated legal action to demand the removal of the current president’s name from a well-known performing arts center in Washington DC. Analysts have also noted that comments regarding Venezuelan oil align with a wider ideology in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, drawing comparisons with historical international actions.