During a recent speech at the Munich Security Conference in Germany, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance expressed serious concerns about free speech suppression and discrimination against Christians across Europe.
He didn’t hold back, calling on European leaders to address the ongoing limitations on conservative voices and religious freedoms.
In his address, Vance highlighted an alarming trend of conservatives facing investigations, arrests, and even fines for merely protesting abortion or sharing their views online.
He also slammed the practice of excluding populist parties from the political arena, warning that it poses a serious threat to democracy.
Recently, the European Union unveiled new measures under the Digital Services Act, aimed at limiting American speech on social media.
Proponents of this initiative argue it targets “foreign interference” and “illegal content,” but questions about free speech have since emerged in the U.S.
Social media companies now find themselves in a precarious situation, as they must remove “illegal content” or face significant fines that could reach up to 6% of their global earnings.
Paul Coleman, the executive director of ADF International, commented that we seem to be entering a “new bipolar order of speech,” with Europe leaning more toward censorship while the U.S. reaffirms its commitment to free speech.
In a candid moment during his speech, Vance stated, “There can be no security if you are afraid of the voices, the opinions, and the conscience that guide your own people.”
He expressed his concern regarding Europe’s retreat from fundamental values, suggesting the real danger lies not with external threats, but rather internal issues like censorship.
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier quickly responded to Vance’s critique, emphasizing that the new American administration has a markedly different worldview.
Steinmeier urged vigilance against threats from places like Russia and China, suggesting that rising tensions with the U.S. could undermine critical alliances.
Vance’s remarks did not go unchallenged, as German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius interrupted him sharply, vocalizing his discontent with “No!” while defending Europe’s democratic approach.
Touching on immigration, Vance connected recent violence in Munich—related to a suspected terrorist attack involving an immigrant—to broader voter frustrations with immigration policies.
Alice Weidel, co-leader of the AfD party, praised Vance’s speech as “excellent!”, demonstrating a shared sentiment among some German right-wing factions.
Vance urged German politicians to reconsider their refusal to cooperate with the AfD, arguing it’s crucial to respect the preferences of voters.
He provided examples of religious discrimination, noting cases in the UK and Sweden where individuals faced repercussions for expressing their faith.
For instance, a British Army veteran was recently penalized for silently praying near an abortion clinic, raising eyebrows over freedom of expression.
Vance also hinted that countries restricting free speech and religious rights might not receive unwavering support from the U.S. on security issues moving forward.
In a lighthearted jab, he remarked on the resilience of German democracy, saying, “Trust me, if American democracy survived Greta Thunberg’s scolding for the better part of a decade, I guarantee you, German democracy will survive Elon Musk.”
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