In Los Angeles, national guard troops have been deployed to crackdown on protesters demonstrating against immigration raids, with at least 27 attacks on journalists by law enforcement recorded. A memo authorizing military deployment in locations where protests are “likely to occur” has raised concerns, especially as President Trump has not ruled out invoking the Insurrection Act to use the military against Americans. Amid a broader crackdown on campus protests and free speech, the situation has led some, like a British-Palestinian in the US, to contemplate self-deportation due to concerns about freedom of speech and protest rights. While the US may offer more freedom of speech protection than the UK, vague and outdated laws in Britain have empowered police to arrest individuals for offensive online speech at an alarming rate.

Furthermore, the right to protest in Britain is also under threat, as seen in the Crime and Policing Bill which could criminalize peaceful demonstrations and restrict individuals from attending protests. Cases such as that of William Plastow, facing 21 months in jail before trial for protesting an Israeli arms manufacturer, highlight the challenges faced by protesters in the UK. Despite concerns raised by figures like JD Vance about free speech in Britain and Europe, liberal voices have been hesitant to acknowledge the precarity of civil liberties close to home. As discussions around threats to civil liberties continue, it becomes imperative to address challenges to freedom of speech and protest rights not only in the US but also in Europe.