OPINION
(Editor's Note: The following opinion column does not represent an endorsement for any political party or candidate on the part of Newsmax.)
With support from Joe Biden, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly voted to ban TikTok. The bill is far more dangerous than many understand.
Here’s why:
In a rare step of bipartisanship, the House of voted in favor of passing a bill requiring TikTok to be sold. The ban would take effect within six months — just less than 60 days before the 2024 election.
Well-known names on both sides of the aisle were divided on the bill. Most notably, U.S. House Speaker Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., Freedom Caucus Chair Rep. Bob Good, R-Va., and Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., voted "Yea" while Reps. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., Alex Mooney, R-W. Va., Alexandria Cortez-Ocasio, D-N.Y., as well as other members of "The Squad," each voted "Nay."
As surprising of a grouping of names it may be, it reveals to the American people an important reality about this purported antidote: H.R. 7521 is not what we think it is.
The bill which has now been passed is extraordinarily dangerous.
Many have shown their support for the bill by branding it as a "significant threat to national security."
Though this is all good and pure, and very much in line with the historical limits of freedom of speech, one clause found later in the bill entirely corrupts its reasoning.
You see, the bill is branded to protect us from apps controlled by "foreign adversaries." Many would translate this to be a means of protecting us from countries like China.
Yet, as Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., pointed out in an 𝕏 post, Section 2 clause 3 of H.R. 7521 expands the phrase’s definition.
He proceeded to say "the President is given the power to ban websites, not just apps."
Elon Musk responded to Representative Massie’s tweet by adding, "this law is not just about TikTok, it is about censorship and government control!"
Being an 18-year-old Gen Zer myself, I am most concerned about the state of free speech in our country today. I echo the fears of Elon Musk.
This is big government at its worst.
As I observed on "Fox & Friends" last September, "with each day that passes, it appears as if the Biden administration is using George Orwell’s '1984' as an instruction manual, not something to shy away from."
Freedom of speech is the linchpin of our liberties, but Joe Biden continues to wage attacks against it.
This leaves one of two things to be true: (1) he does not know the essentiality of free speech, or (2) he is set on removing it.
Given his actions over the past three years, the latter seems far more likely.
Why? To quote my book, "America, Don’t Give Up," it’s simple: "tyranny loathes free speech."
This is precisely why our Founders penned the Declaration of Independence.
They well-understood tyranny ends poorly every time.
And that begs this question: Do we understand that today?
Though much of my generation may not fully see the immense importance of free speech, I do know they certainly enjoy the privilege of using it.
Gen Z is most passionate about social issues.
Namely, climate change, abortion, and fairness in women’s sports.
If the First Amendment ceased to guard their right to talk about these things, they would be sure to revolt.
As sad as it is to say, I believe that day is drawing near; increasingly so if President Biden signs the TikTok ban into law.
Gen Z will certainly remember who stood on what side.
Donald Trump has firmly opposed this bill while Joe Biden has prioritized removing our digital liberties more than he has securing our freedoms.
Biden’s economic disaster has left us with the highest interest rates in history.
Rendering Gen Z unable to afford to spend freely.
Team Biden has utterly failed to put together even the slightest attempt at fixing our border crisis. Even worse, we lost a member of our generation, Laken Riley, in the process.
Forget Gen Z being able to walk freely.
And now, TikTok. To think Gen Z can speak freely — not in Biden’s America at least.
The 24 point differential Joe Biden had in 2020’s youth vote has gone up in flames.
This means it's in crisis.
A federal TikTok ban came before each of Gen Z’s needs.
Along with America as a whole, we've been placed last.
President Trump wants to put America First — which means putting Gen Z first as well.
Lest we forget — Gen Z will vote accordingly on Nov. 5, 2024.
Christian Hodges is an 18 year old aspiring conservative voice, student at Liberty University, and author of "America, Don’t Give Up." Follow him on Twitter @chr1stianhodges or contact him at christianhodges.books@gmail.com.
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