Incendiary: Trump's eagerness to weaken First Amendment sounds an alarm

Presidential candidate Donald Trump last week threatened to weaken First Amendment protections for reporters if he is elected president, making it easier for him to sue them.

We find that more than a little disturbing.

The Republican front-runner told supporters that he wants to "open up" libel laws. He said that if elected, news organizations that have criticized him will "have problems."

First Amendment scholars condemned his suggestion.

Libel law in the U.S. generally makes it difficult for public figures to sue those who publicly criticize them. To win in court, the plaintiff must show that factually incorrect statements were made with malice or a reckless disregard for the truth.

Trump said he would like to lower that standard.

The Supreme Court has repeatedly endorsed the existing law. It would take a constitutional amendment to change it.

Frankly, it concerns us that the potential chief executive would consider such a thing. Just because he disagrees with things that have been written or said about him does not warrant such a drastic change in one of the fundamental laws set forth by the Constitution.

Makes us wonder what other constitutional changes he might come up with if elected.

Published in Editorials on February 29, 2016 12:15 PM