The fragility of American freedom

Dear Reader, 

Centuries ago, the American colonists making a new way of life on this continent found themselves subject to restrictions on free speech that dated back to medieval England. They could not criticize the government without facing violent punishment—people were whipped and even had their ears cut off. Eventually, Americans fought and died to protect themselves and future American citizens from such barbarism and tyrannical government overreach.

The United States is on the eve of an election that could see the return to power of an autocrat who vociferously and repeatedly threatens this basic freedom of the American people—with a particular preoccupation with curbing freedom of speech and freedom of the press. When Donald Trump tells people that journalists are “the enemy of the American people,” or “evil,” when he says that Americans who describe the criminal charges he faces should be investigated for treason, he is not merely denigrating a professional class; he is directly attacking the rights of all Americans. He is attacking those who happen to work as journalists, but he is likewise attacking their neighbors—every American who has the right to free speech and free press themselves. 

Americans understand on a bone-deep level that, to paraphrase James Madison, absolute sovereignty belongs to the people, not the government. Americans are free to say what we believe, and free to share our ideas with our fellow citizens. We are free to criticize the government, which is accountable to the people, not the other way around. 

Holding power to account takes time and resources. Here at The Atlantic, our journalism is made possible by our magazine’s subscribers. Since 1857, these readers have kept us going—through wars, revolutions, and 31 different American presidents. We rely on our readers who subscribe to protect the future of our journalism. We couldn’t do this work without you, and we are grateful to you for your generous support. 

Adrienne LaFrance

Executive Editor, The Atlantic