“That’s Not What I Asked You”: Senator Blackburn Defends Free Speech and the Constitution from Weaponized Censorship
- Rich Washburn
- Apr 1
- 2 min read
In a moment that’s going viral for all the right reasons, Senator Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee did more than just hold a hearing—she delivered a constitutional gut check to those who treat our founding principles like outdated suggestions rather than sacred guarantees.
During a recent Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, Senator Blackburn confronted Dr. Mary Anne Franks, a professor and vocal critic of the current U.S. Supreme Court, over her past inflammatory remarks labeling the Court a “death panel.” The hearing, focused on the First Amendment and free speech, quickly shifted into a referendum on the rhetoric and tactics used by progressives to delegitimize the very institutions that uphold the Constitution.
Senator Blackburn’s message was simple, yet profound: free speech is not a privilege—it’s a right. And no administration, no bureaucratic agency, and certainly no academic elite has the authority to decide who gets to speak and who doesn’t.
The Supreme Court: Guardian of Liberty, Not a ‘Death Panel’
Dr. Franks’ attempt to sidestep her own words was telling. But the real concern isn’t just one tweet—it’s a mindset. When the highest court in the land is smeared as a villain simply because it upholds the original meaning of the Constitution, it’s clear we’re not dealing with principled disagreement. We’re watching a coordinated effort to delegitimize the rule of law.
Blackburn’s line of questioning forced a deeper truth to the surface: for some on the left, the Constitution is only worth defending when it serves their ideological agenda. When it doesn’t, they label it “oppressive,” “outdated,” or—as in this case—“deadly.”
Censorship by Bureaucracy: Targeting the Daily Wire and The Federalist
The hearing also spotlighted the growing threat of government-backed censorship, particularly through the Biden administration’s abuse of the Global Engagement Center (GEC). What was created to counter foreign propaganda has, according to credible reports, morphed into a domestic weapon aimed squarely at conservative media like The Federalist and The Daily Wire.
Mollie Hemingway, senior editor at The Federalist, detailed how this "Censorship Industrial Complex" works through shadowy partnerships between federal agencies and tech platforms—blacklisting publications that dare challenge progressive narratives. As Hemingway said, “They want to exist without people pointing out their lies.”
This is not a paranoid fantasy—it’s happening to us! And if it can happen to nationally recognized outlets today, it can happen to churches, parent groups, or your own social media account tomorrow.
The Bottom Line: Constitutional Rights Aren’t Up for Debate
Senator Blackburn’s passionate defense of free speech is a reminder that the Constitution doesn’t bend to partisan politics. It protects all Americans, even when their views are unpopular—or worse, inconvenient to those in power.
This isn’t just about a senator sparring with a witness. It’s about the future of civic discourse in America. If we don’t defend the First Amendment when it’s under attack, we risk losing the very freedom that allows us to have this debate in the first place.
Now more than ever, we need leaders who won’t shy away from calling out censorship, defending our institutions, and standing up for the Constitution. Senator Blackburn showed us exactly what that looks like.
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