

# Trump Order May Target Protected Political Speech 

President Trump’s new executive order on “domestic terrorism” raises serious constitutional concerns by targeting speech and organizations over a mix of speech and action, much of which is protected by the First Amendment.

September 29, 2025 • News Releases 

President Trump’s new executive order on “domestic terrorism” raises serious constitutional concerns by targeting speech and organizations over a mix of speech and action, much of which is protected by the First Amendment.

Cato senior fellow [Walter Olson](https://www.cato.org/people/walter-olson) warns in [a new analysis](https://www.cato.org/blog/white-house-maps-plans-investigate-disrupt-dissenting-speech) that the order signals that federal law enforcement is being directed against political adversaries under vague standards that encourage the government to “disrupt,” investigate, and conduct surveillance of advocacy even when no violence at all has taken place.

Olson is available for interviews on the constitutional implications of this developing story.

If you’d like to set one up, please reach out to Madison: [mmiller@​cato.​org](mailto:mmiller@cato.org).

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