EU Could Retaliate to ‘Unjustified’ US Visa Bans, Spokesperson Says

The EU could “act quickly and firmly” in response to what it calls “unwarranted” travel bans imposed by the US on five European individuals working on fighting online hate and disinformation, a European Commission spokesperson stated.

EU Officials Decry US Action as ‘Intimidation’

Officials from Europe such as the French president charged the US administration of “bullying and threats”, after the visa restrictions were placed on figures that were at the heart of efforts to enact legislation regulating American tech companies.

“For too long, ideologues in Europe have led coordinated campaigns to pressure American platforms to punish US perspectives they disagree with,” stated the US secretary of state online. “This government will not stand for such actions of censorship beyond its borders.”

Broad Criticism Across Europe

Germany, Spain, the UK and a chorus of EU officials supported the French president in criticizing the decision.

The bans were enacted this week on an ex-European commissioner who helped draft the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), as well as several activists fighting false information, from two in Germany and two in the UK.

A Deepening Dispute Over Regulation

This European legislation is seen by US officials as a form of censorship, whereas EU authorities contend the regulations are necessary to control hate speech and falsehoods.

This row risks becoming a facet of a much broader existing political and ideological clash between Washington and Europe.

Additional Updates Reported Today

In other legal developments:

• A US district judge has halted efforts to cut security grants to local governments that do not comply with certain immigration enforcement policies. The official ruled the case was “another example” of tying government assistance to adherence to directives.
• Approval was given for the dispatch of 350 national guard members to a major US city prior to the holiday period, coinciding with an active border security initiative.
• A Pacific Island nation has agreed to accept dozens of migrants from the US in exchange for increased assistance, following signing a memorandum of understanding with US authorities.

Additionally, a Democratic lawmaker has initiated legal action to demand the removal of a political figure’s name from a prominent performing arts center in Washington DC.

Experts point out that recent statements regarding Venezuelan oil align with a broader belief in some quarters of “resource imperialism”, leading to parallels with historical international actions.