Our weekly roundup of press freedom news, highlighting the latest attacks on journalists, their right to publish, and our right to know. Here’s the news for the week of March 8, 2025.
ICE Leaks: Trump Officials Push For Criminal Charges Against Whistleblowers And Press
National security officials in President Donald Trump’s administration have repeatedly called for a crackdown on the alleged leaks involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids throughout the country. Sam Carliner writes that “immigrants and the press alike have been consistent targets of Trump and the MAGA movement” which makes the push for a legal crackdown on ICE raid leaks a way to rally opposition to both groups at the same time.
Pro-Palestine activist Mahmoud Khalil abducted and detained by ICE
Mahmoud Khalil was abducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at his Columbia housing. Khalil was detained for his protests against Israel’s genocide in Palestine, despite being a green card holder, therefore entitled to the same legal protections and rights as a U.S. citizen, in a major violation of his First Amendment rights.
The arrest has caused outrage with critics pointing out to the abuse of immigration law for political policing, in an attempt to undermine the First Amendment
Owner of UC Global which spied on Assange in the Ecuadorian embassy is investigated for falsifying evidence
El Pais reports that the Spanish courts have launched a criminal investigation against accused CIA contractor David Morales, owner of UC Global, for forging official documents. Morales created the documents in an alleged attempt to justify bugging Julian Assange’s meetings with his lawyers and doctors. Forensics reports and officials confirm that the evidence was fabricated.