![mural depicting the Australian activist Julian Assange, by street artist Trisha Palma, in the Scampia neighborhood of Naples.](https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/GettyImages-1733751362.jpg)
Biden Is Overseeing the Silent Death of the First Amendment Biden Is Overseeing the Silent Death of the First Amendment
By continuing the persecution of Julian Assange, the US government is signaling how little it cares about press freedom.
Dec 8, 2023 / Yanis Varoufakis, Lina Attalah, and John Kiriakou
![Participants at a pro-Palestine rally at the Neptune Fountain hold a banner reading](https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/berlin-palestine-rally-ap.jpg)
The Smearing of Rashida Tlaib and the Palestinian Calls for Freedom The Smearing of Rashida Tlaib and the Palestinian Calls for Freedom
The only Palestinian member of Congress was censured, but she has every reason to wear that as a badge of honor.
Nov 10, 2023 / Yousef Munayyer
![Jennyvieve Barquero-Hughes, 4, in black, gets her photo taken with Drag Queens Kelly K, left, Scalene OnixXx and Athena Monet Kills at the Drag Queen story hour at the Cellar Door Bookstore on Saturday, April 29, 2023 in Riverside, Calif.](https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Dragqueenstoryhour.jpg)
The Right’s War on Drag Is Flagrantly Unconstitutional The Right’s War on Drag Is Flagrantly Unconstitutional
The drag bans being pushed by both Tennessee and Texas have so little legal merit that even small children could debunk them.
Jun 6, 2023 / Elie Mystal
![Statue removed from a park](https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/statue-Dr.-J.-Marion-Sims-AP.jpg)
Like It or Not, Cancel Culture Is Free Speech Like It or Not, Cancel Culture Is Free Speech
The history of medicine makes clear why false free-speech champions should just settle down already.
Jun 6, 2023 / J.C. Hallman
![What Are the Book Banners Afraid Of?](https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/GEORGOPULOS-Smiley-books-ftr.jpg)
What Are the Book Banners Afraid Of? What Are the Book Banners Afraid Of?
They are afraid of readers—especially young readers—learning the truth about humans, about American history, about, perhaps, their own lives.
May 30, 2023 / Feature / Jane Smiley
![Julian Assange.](https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/GettyImages-1140452204.jpg)
If Biden Really Believes in Press Freedom, He’ll Stop Targeting Julian Assange If Biden Really Believes in Press Freedom, He’ll Stop Targeting Julian Assange
The president spoke powerfully about the importance of journalism. He needs to back those words up and end US efforts to prosecute the WikiLeaks founder.
May 3, 2023 / John Nichols
![FBI Director Christopher Wray](https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/GettyImages-1246593257.jpg)
The DOJ Is Using “Foreign Agents” Accusations to Repress Black Liberation Organizers The DOJ Is Using “Foreign Agents” Accusations to Repress Black Liberation Organizers
We must demand that the FBI cease invoking the Foreign Agents Registration Act to spy on and criminalize Black social justice leaders.
Apr 25, 2023 / Collin P. Poirot and Azadeh Shahshahani
![US naturalization cerem](https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/US-naturalization-ceremony-getty.jpg)
Democrats Dodged a Bullet in the Midterms, but the Culture War Is Far From Won Democrats Dodged a Bullet in the Midterms, but the Culture War Is Far From Won
A functioning democracy requires the consent, if not the votes, of a good deal more than half the country.
Dec 9, 2022 / Column / David Bromwich
![The Supreme Court Has Officially Launched Its War on LGBTQ Rights](https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/AP22339599195316-1.jpg)
The Supreme Court Has Officially Launched Its War on LGBTQ Rights The Supreme Court Has Officially Launched Its War on LGBTQ Rights
On Monday, the court heard 303 Creative v. Elenis, a case that the theocrats on the court will likely use to undermine marriage equality.
Dec 6, 2022 / Elie Mystal
![Young Thug on stage at SXSW](https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/young-thug-1440x907-gt-img.jpg)
When Rap Lyrics Become Incriminating Speech When Rap Lyrics Become Incriminating Speech
The use of their songs in criminal cases has had dire consequences for hip-hop musicians.
Aug 24, 2022 / Column / Kali Holloway