Robert Reich, Substack 24 Mar 2026 notes:

The Journal’s investigation concluded that:

“U.S. citizens are caught in the crosshairs of an aggressive government campaign to detain and demonize detractors, including by calling them terrorists, rioters, and agitators. The Department of Homeland Security, which was created in 2002 to protect Americans, has turned its force against U.S. citizens.”

By putting a public bull’s-eye on Americans whom the government accuses of assault, the Journal also found that the Trump administration is chilling First Amendment expression:

“People who had been accused publicly by the federal government of assaulting federal officers … are less likely to participate in protests and less likely to put themselves in situations where their name might be tracked…. There is a real pressure to crack down and send a message to people who the government views as perceived dissenters, even if video contradicts what agents have initially claimed happened.”

Again, let me remind you that this comes from The Wall Street Journal.

1st Amendment:

Right to Assemble and Protest

— by Eleanor Stratton

The right to assemble is a fundamental aspect of American constitutional law, deeply rooted in the history and principles that shaped the United States. This right, enshrined in the First Amendment, allows citizens to gather and express their views, forming a crucial part of our participatory system. Understanding its origins, key legal precedents, and practical considerations is essential for appreciating its role in maintaining a functional constitutional republic.

Foundations of the Right to Assemble

The First Amendment protects the right of people to peaceably assemble, a cornerstone of our participatory system. This right has its roots in English history, evolving from the Magna Carta to the English Bill of Rights, which influenced the Framers of the Constitution.

Assembly is integral to free speech and press, fostering an environment where citizens can voice their concerns. This concept is embedded in United States history, from the slavery debate in the 1830s to the civil rights movement.

Notable cases have shaped our understanding of the right to assemble:

• Cruikshank case (1876): Acknowledged that preventing peaceful gatherings violated national citizenship rights.
• Hague v. CIO: Ruled against giving city officials absolute discretion over public assemblies.

Time, place, and manner restrictions exist, but they must be applied neutrally. The government can impose certain regulations, but they must not misuse these to suppress viewpoints they find distasteful.

Our Founding Fathers, inspired by historical precedents and keen to avoid tyranny, crafted a constitution that protected these principles. Their foresight ensured a safeguard for the citizens’ ability to assemble, a crucial tool for a functioning constitutional republic.

https://usconstitution.net/right-to-assemble-and-protest/

See World Atlas of Authoritarian run countries:

https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/what-countries-have-authoritarian-government

Will America be joining this list?