For years, politicians on both sides of the aisle have sought to restrict the Internet, a tool that enables the free flow of information. Like anything else, it can be used for good, and it can be used for evil, but our esteemed representatives have averred for a long time that its freedom must be reined in.
One of these public officials is President Donald Trump. On the campaign trail, the president proposed “closing off parts of the Internet” to prevent terrorist organizations, like ISIS and al-Qaeda, from attracting new recruits. He repeated this idea several more times during rallies, arguing that opponents to the idea were “foolish people.”
Trump Says ‘Cut Off’ Internet
President Trump has been quiet on the issue of Internet censorship throughout his tenure so far. That is, until after reports of a subway explosion in London started to circulate.
In the aftermath of the latest terrorist attack, Trump tweeted that the Internet must be “cut off” to prevent further violent incidents from happening. He failed to elaborate on how to perform such an act.
He said:
Trump tweeted 12 minutes later:
Following worldwide reporting of his remarks, British Prime Minister Theresa May and London Metropolitan police censured Trump, stating that his speculation is unhelpful.
Not too many details have been released to the public. At 8:20 a.m. local time, an improvised explosive device (IED) was detonated at Parsons Green Tube station, injuring 22 people and sending 18 to the hospital for minor wounds.
Natalie Belford, a hairdresser, and beautician shared details of the event:
“The train was packed, and I was down the other side of the carriage standing up, looking at my phone and then I heard a big boom and felt this heat on my face. I ran for my life, but there was no way out. The doors were full of people and the carriage was too packed to move down.”
Will Trump Censor the Internet?
To date, only several nations have implemented controls of the Internet to tackle terrorism or domestic rebellion. According to The Daily Caller, China, Egypt, Syria, Sudan and Venezuela have instituted restrictions that shut down access or limit what content is viewed.
Speaking at a campaign rally in December 2015, Trump said that many people are dying because of the Internet, noting that he would speak with Bill Gates to see if he can “close it up.”
He told a crowd of supporters:
"We’ve got to maybe do something with the Internet.
"We're losing a lot of people because of the Internet. We have to see Bill Gates and a lot of different people that really understand what's happening.
"We have to talk to them about, maybe in certain areas, closing that Internet up in some ways. Somebody will say, 'Oh freedom of speech, freedom of speech.' These are foolish people."
In the fifth Republican primary debate on CNN, Trump reiterated his position that he would be open to “closing areas” of the online world to stop ISIS from growing.
Trump told the network’s, Wolf Blitzer:
"ISIS is recruiting through the Internet. ISIS is using the Internet better than we are using the Internet and it was our idea. I want to get the brilliant people from Silicon Valley and other places and figure out a way that ISIS can't do what they're doing.
"I would certainly be open to closing areas where we are at war with somebody. I sure as hell don't want to let people that want to kill us and kill our nation use our Internet. Yes, sir, I am."
Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) quickly lambasted Trump in the debate for his suggestion, explaining that it would be unconstitutional to impose such prohibitions.
Internet Must Never be Censored
Without the Internet, we would never have learned about Hillary Clinton’s corruption. Without the Internet, we would never have uncovered odious acts in the Middle East. Without the Internet, we would never have been able to hold politicians and media accountable for their words and records.
Having the state meddle with the Internet would only breed disastrous consequences.
Unfortunately, there are growing calls from both parties to apply policies like Net Neutrality and to make the Internet more of a public utility service, akin to telephones, sewage or water.
When the government starts talking about making the Internet free, like the Democrats, or limiting access to the Internet in the name of security, like the Republicans, you should be apprehensive about lending your support.
An apt quote has been attributed to former President Thomas Jefferson:
“A government big enough to give you everything you want is a government big enough to take away everything that you have.”
The president may believe that it’s foolish to be concerned about freedom of speech, but the Internet is a valuable tool in our liberation from the swamp creatures.
Do you support or oppose closing part of the Internet? Let us know in the comments section!
