In a significant move addressing concerns over government censorship, a presidential memorandum was issued aimed at Christopher Krebs, the former head of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), as well as individuals associated with him.
The memorandum outlines a firm stance on the issue of free speech rights, asserting that the Federal Government has a constitutional duty and a moral responsibility to promote and protect the free speech rights of Americans.
“In recent years, elitist leaders in Government have unlawfully censored speech and weaponized their undeserved influence to silence perceived political opponents and advance their preferred, and often erroneous narrative about significant matters of public debate,” the memorandum states.
The document describes various tactics allegedly employed by Krebs during his leadership at CISA, which included coercive threats against private sector entities such as major social media platforms to suppress conservative viewpoints and distort public opinion.
Notably, the memorandum claims that much of this alleged censorship occurred during the 2020 Presidential election, suggesting that it was intended to undermine the free exchange of ideas and debate in the critical period leading up to the election.
Krebs is characterized as a “significant bad-faith actor” who purportedly abused his authority to censor dissenting views relating to the 2020 election and the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the memorandum, CISA, under Krebs, allegedly suppressed conservative viewpoints in the guise of combatting supposed disinformation while simultaneously engaging in actions that silenced legitimate debates concerning essential topics, including election integrity.
The memorandum also highlights that Krebs, through CISA, reportedly worked to blind the American public to controversial issues, specifically referencing the Hunter Biden laptop controversy.
Furthermore, it states that Krebs categorically dismissed widespread claims of election irregularities, labeling such concerns as unsubstantiated without adequate examination of the related evidence.
The allegations continue, as Krebs is accused of skewing discussions about COVID-19 by attempting to discredit widely shared opinions that conflicted with CISA’s favored narrative.
This kind of conduct, as outlined in the memorandum, is claimed to violate the First Amendment and erode trust in government institutions, thereby undermining the strength of democracy itself.
To address these concerns, the memorandum directs heads of executive departments and agencies to take immediate action to revoke any active security clearance that Krebs may hold.
Additionally, the document instructs the Attorney General, the Director of National Intelligence, and pertinent agencies to suspend active security clearances for individuals at organizations associated with Krebs, pending a review to determine the compatibility of these clearances with national interests.
Moreover, the memorandum mandates that the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security conduct a thorough review of Krebs’ activities as a government employee, including his leadership at CISA.
This review aims to uncover instances where Krebs’s conduct may have been incompatible with federal employee suitability standards or involved unauthorized dissemination of classified information, among other criteria.
As part of this comprehensive evaluation, the memorandum directs a thorough assessment of all CISA activities over the last six years, specifically targeting any actions contrary to the goals outlined in Executive Order 14149, titled “Restoring Freedom of Speech and Ending Federal Censorship.”
Upon completion of these reviews, a joint report with recommendations for corrective actions is to be submitted to the President, emphasizing measures to fulfill the purposes and policies identified in Executive Order 14149.
The memorandum concludes by clarifying that it does not establish any legal rights enforceable against the United States or its agencies and entities, reinforcing the executive branch’s authority in this matter.
image source from：https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/04/addressing-risks-from-chris-krebs-and-government-censorship/
