EU Might Retaliate to ‘Unwarranted’ US Visa Bans, Official Says

The European Union might “act quickly and firmly” in response to what it calls “unjustified” visa bans issued by the US on five Europeans working on fighting digital hatred and misinformation, a European Commission spokesperson stated.

EU Officials Condemn US Action as ‘Intimidation’

European leaders including the French president charged the US administration of “bullying and threats”, after the travel bans targeted figures who have been central to efforts to enact legislation governing American tech companies.

“For too long, ideologues in Europe have spearheaded coordinated campaigns to pressure US companies to punish American viewpoints they oppose,” stated the US secretary of state in a social media post. “The current administration will not stand for these egregious acts of censorship beyond its borders.”

Widespread Condemnation Across Europe

Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials joined France in condemning the move.

The bans were enacted on Tuesday on a former EU commissioner who helped draft the EU’s digital governance law, as well as four activists fighting false information, from two in Germany and two in the UK.

A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation

The DSA is viewed by Washington as a form of censorship, while EU authorities contend the rules are essential to combat hate speech and disinformation.

This disagreement threatens to become part of a much broader ongoing political and ideological clash involving the current US administration and Europe.

Other Developments Reported Today

In other judicial developments:

• A federal judge has halted attempts to reduce security grants to local governments that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The judge ruled the action was “another example” of tying federal aid to adherence to directives.
• Authorization was issued for the dispatch of hundreds of national guard troops to New Orleans prior to the holiday period, coinciding with an active immigration enforcement operation.
• The nation of Palau will consent to accept dozens of migrants from the US in exchange for additional aid, following concluding a formal agreement with Washington.

Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has filed a lawsuit seeking the stripping of the current president’s name from a well-known performing arts center in Washington DC.

Experts point out that recent statements regarding Venezuelan oil reflect a broader belief in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, leading to parallels with historical international actions.