This morning, federal judge Laurel Beeler issued a temporary injunction against Trump's executive order to ban WeChat, a Chinese social media app, from operating in the U.S. An injunction is a court order that stops someone from doing a certain thing. In this case, the injunction has prevented WeChat from getting banned tonight at midnight on the grounds that a ban would potentially inhibit users' first amendment rights. This order exemplifies the power of checks and balances, as an executive order was checked by a federal judge who deemed it unconstitutional.
According to Beeler, "WeChat is effectively the only means of communication for many in the community, not only because China bans other apps, but also because Chinese speakers with limited English proficiency have no options other than WeChat" (basically the app is an important means of conversation between Chinese-Americans and family members in China, and a ban would prevent these users from contacting each other). The defendants (the Commerce Department) made the claim that the app is a national security threat and that it could provide data to the Chinese government, but Beeler felt that this was not enough evidence to deem the ban as necessary, referencing Australia's decision to only ban WeChat on government devices.
This decision definitely raises a question about where the line is drawn between freedom and national security. Should the government be able to censor apps it deems a threat to security at the expense of the freedoms of its citizens? And, given the context of Trump's previous statements on China (for example, calling the coronavirus the "Chinese flu"), do you think his executive order comes from a place of xenophobia, or just a concern for national security?
Source 1: NYTimes
Source 2: CNN
Source 3: Politico
Source 4: CNBC
5 comments:
Trump’s attempted ban on WeChat seems to be one action among many targeted at Chinese companies; currently Trump is also targeting TikTok and has previously at Huawei as well, both over concerns of national security, and these actions highlight and exacerbate the economic tensions and competition between the two countries. This might be an overreach, but because much of Trump’s campaign this time focuses on taking a hard stance against China, these executive orders and such could also hold significant political value for Trump, using them to demonstrate to his followers that he is continuing to keep their “best interest” at mind, catering to the already somewhat unfounded fears of communism. His administration’s general attitude towards China over the past four years has been one rooted in antagonism and friction, but this injunction demonstrates that the presidential/executive influence in business and the economy can still be limited or restricted, which proves to be a just thing in the face of communication and information being censored.
Usually, in this debate of freedom vs security I err on the side of security such as the current mask debate in between the freedoms of choosing whether or not to where a mask and the mandatory usage of a mask to prevent the spread of Coronavirus. However, in this recent attempted ban on WeChat I am definitely concerned for the restrictions onto freedom and the over exaggeration of any security issues brought up about WeChat. Throughout, Trump's presidency, there has been much conflict with China especially on the economic side with the trade war. Along with Trump's past discriminatory comments towards Asian-Americans like the using the word "Kung Flu" to label coronavirus, this push to ban WeChat, in my opinion more out of xenophobia than anything else. Overall, despite the intentions behind the ban, the judge's push back against Trump's executive order ban is a good example of the checks and balances at work to help protect the interest of the people. In a time where staying in touch with loved ones is more important than ever, banning the only means for many to communicate with their loved ones, is borderline immoral and thus must be protected.
I always agree with freedom because that's what this country was built off of and that decision stands with this. It is wrong for Trump to assume that wechat is being used as a means to spy with Chinese government. As said before Trump has had a past with prejudice in the chinese when the Corona virus started when he was quoted saying things like the "Chinese Virus". I feel like Trump's abusing this power and this is a time when checks and balances need to be put in placed. I agree with this Judges ruling. Personally I relate with this because my family uses Whatsapp to talk to their family in India and I know they would feel heartbroken if they didn't have that way of communicating. It must be worse for the chinese because atleast we can find other forms to communicate unlike them because many other socials are outlawed. However this decision does protect our people and I agree with this Judge.
I usually would agree if the app did pose a threat to national security within the government, but this app seems like the only way for some less fortunate people to contact their loved ones and people from China/America. I think if Trump were to ban this app, the government would be violating freedom of the citizens of the Asian-American community, as he blames them for most of today's problems in the world. He is highly discriminatory against them ever since the COVID-19 outbreak, and has blatantly said remarks and public statements that are racist and rude. I think this ban comes from a place of xenophobia, as Trump openly discloses his feelings towards China and Asian Americans. I think by the judge going against Trump's executive order, puts him in check a little bit, and limits his power so he does not abuse the power he has as president. I think that this was a good app for a way of communication, and it was harmless, and just a way for people to talk to one another from long distance.
I think is a good example of the checks and balances of our system working to stop policies that may be unreasonable. I would like to see evidence that our country's security is really at risk and that important data is being taken by the Chinese government before banning wechat. If our country's security was really at risk, then I would agree with the ban. As of right now, all google services, youtube, facebook and many more platforms are banned in china and it seems that wechat is the only and main form of communication among the Chinese, so banning wechat would greatly impact chinese people's communication with their families and loved ones. I think that this ban came from the tensions and distrusts that have always existed between the US and china that has gotten worse especially with the coronavirus starting in China and the chinese government downplaying and hiding it.
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