Journalist and constitutional lawyer Glenn Greenwald highlights the “absolutely extraordinary” and “chilling” indictment by the Justice Department, which comes at a time when Republicans are paying increasing attention to weaponizing the federal government through a Republican-led subcommittee. Jim Jordan from Ohio.
Weeks after an influential Republican Party social media official was convicted of election interference for posting memes about Hillary Clinton in what critics say is the “most shocking attack” on free speech in recent history, the Department of Justice announced in a recent announcement that leftist US citizens stayed accused with charges for speaking out against the war in Ukraine and allegedly working for the Russian government.
“A federal grand jury in Tampa, Florida, returned a superseding indictment charging four U.S. citizens and three Russian citizens with acting on behalf of the Russian government and in cooperation with the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) to conduct a multi-year foreign malicious investigation influence campaign in the United States”, the release states. “The superseding indictment alleges that the Russian defendants recruited, financed and directed U.S. political groups to act as unregistered illegal agents of the Russian government and to sow discord and spread pro-Russian propaganda….”
US citizens and Russian intelligence officials charged with conspiring to apply US citizens as illegal agents of the Russian government
The defendants wanted to sow discord, spread pro-Russian propaganda and interfere with US elections.https://t.co/PDgZU8LUuF
— Department of Justice (@TheJusticeDept) April 18, 2023
Greenwald says this is the latest example of the criminalization of speech.
Here is one of the leaders of one of the groups who is currently accused, Omali Yeshitela z @_InPDUMspeaking at a “Peace in Ukraine” rally last month.
Criminalization of speech is becoming more common by claiming that it serves Russia’s interests:https://t.co/i9kmkLYykr
— Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) April 19, 2023
Even more appalling is the way the media is covering the Justice Department’s accusations: mindlessly treating them as proven fact:
Anchor: “Jim, this shows how active Russia is in our democracy.”
“Reporter”: Indeed: chills. [Proceeds to read from indictment without an ounce of skepticism]
— Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) April 19, 2023
All this is independent of the fact that the United States is not only doing exactly what Russia (and China) claims in its accusations, but is much more extreme. The US funds dissident groups in many countries, creates phony internets to destabilize, etc. You would think reporters would mention this: pic.twitter.com/Lgjle6nI0X
— Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) April 19, 2023
In one of his last Fox News shows, Tucker Carlson talked about a disturbing case.
Tucker Carlson: “That man you saw (@OmaliYeshitela) faces ten years in prison for expressing views on Ukraine that the Biden administration does not want to hear. It’s terrifying.” pic.twitter.com/J2ycnvT57J
— FIGHT |🇵🇷 (@upholdreality) April 22, 2023
I don’t know if you’ve ever experienced this, but it’s a strange feeling to be on the show of a “staunch white nationalist” who passionately defends the rights of radical black leftists when no national Democrat will.
Here is our episode on this matter:https://t.co/AoIpGHXVcm
— Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) April 21, 2023
