Attacks on Our Freedom

This letter to the editor, by Cheri Evjen, appeared in the Hudson Star Observer on October 8, 2026.

Most Americans support a free and independent press. We understand that a free press should act to check the government’s abuse of power and inform the public without fear of censorship and retaliation. America has always depended on an independent press to investigate corruption and report the truth, serving the people instead of the politicians.

President Donald Trump understands the power of a free press. That is why he fights so hard to restrict press freedoms that real patriots fought and died for. Trump never offers legitimate reasons behind his tired refrain of “fake news,” because he has none. He has frequently admitted that he’s at war with a free press because he does not like the content of their stories. He is terrified that Americans will learn the truth regarding his destructive policies and pervasive corruption.

The Republican nominee for governor, Tom Tiffany, who has never seen a bad or unconstitutional Trump action he didn’t embrace, has joined Trump’s war on a free press by refusing to admit Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporters to an event. He believes that the less the public knows about him, the better his campaign will work. He is probably right.

James Madison, who drafted the Bill of Rights, believed that voters need access to open debate and facts to make smart choices in a free society. You know who else believes that? Democratic nominee David Crowley. There are many reasons to support Crowley for governor, but one of the best is his support for open debates and honest press coverage.