Quigley Statement on President Trump’s Most Recent Attacks Against the Free Press

WASHINGTON—Today, Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05), released the following statement after President Trump continued his attacks on freedom of the press by threatening to challenge, and potentially revoke, licenses from network news stations:

"Once again, President Trump is trying to re-write the dictionary by conflating the words unfavorable and honest with fake and distorted," said Rep. Quigley. "The President's incessant attacks on ‘Fake News' is a thinly-veiled attempt to discredit the hardworking journalists who are holding his Administration accountable and exposing the realities of how its officials govern. Threatening to come after their news licenses is a direct affront to the constitutional protection for freedom of the press. A free and independent press is a cornerstone of our democracy, and his attempts to silence or control their coverage is dangerously un-American. We are not an autocratic nation that suppress the media through intimidation, and I will continue fighting to protect the institution of journalism."