John Bickley

Good morning, John. So the big topic of conversation over here is Europe's free speech problem. This week, as we exclusively reported, a number of senior State Department officials are heading to Ireland and Paris to push both countries to respect their citizens.

Good morning, John. So the big topic of conversation over here is Europe's free speech problem. This week, as we exclusively reported, a number of senior State Department officials are heading to Ireland and Paris to push both countries to respect their citizens.

A senior State Department official told me that the trip is part of the department's effort to fight back against violations of basic natural rights in Europe, especially freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the right to privacy. In France, they'll be pushing officials on the recent arrest of French politician Marine Le Pen

A senior State Department official told me that the trip is part of the department's effort to fight back against violations of basic natural rights in Europe, especially freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the right to privacy. In France, they'll be pushing officials on the recent arrest of French politician Marine Le Pen

And in Ireland, they'll be digging into the new European Union law that could be used to censor free speech called the Digital Services Act. As a State Department official told me, it's, quote, obviously being weaponized for political purposes.

And in Ireland, they'll be digging into the new European Union law that could be used to censor free speech called the Digital Services Act. As a State Department official told me, it's, quote, obviously being weaponized for political purposes.

That official also reminded me that it's not a coincidence that these kinds of global forces are using similar tactics to those that were used on this side of the Atlantic against President Trump and his supporters over the past eight years.

That official also reminded me that it's not a coincidence that these kinds of global forces are using similar tactics to those that were used on this side of the Atlantic against President Trump and his supporters over the past eight years.

Well, I'm told that they're really feeling the heat of President Donald Trump's administration. Vice President Vance really laid into the censorship in his remarks at the Munich Security Conference earlier this year, and that laid the groundwork for much more scrutiny of the current situation.

Well, I'm told that they're really feeling the heat of President Donald Trump's administration. Vice President Vance really laid into the censorship in his remarks at the Munich Security Conference earlier this year, and that laid the groundwork for much more scrutiny of the current situation.

Former Trump senior advisor Jason Miller joined the EU-US summit here in Budapest ahead of the CPAC Hungary 2025, and they really dug into the censorship going on throughout Europe.

Former Trump senior advisor Jason Miller joined the EU-US summit here in Budapest ahead of the CPAC Hungary 2025, and they really dug into the censorship going on throughout Europe.

One example Miller gave is the United Kingdom's request for a backdoor to Apple iCloud's encryption to help the UK government access Apple iCloud user data. We broke the news back in February that Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard was probing the potential implications of such a request, which raised a lot of red flags.

One example Miller gave is the United Kingdom's request for a backdoor to Apple iCloud's encryption to help the UK government access Apple iCloud user data. We broke the news back in February that Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard was probing the potential implications of such a request, which raised a lot of red flags.

I also spoke with Matt Mowers, who's a State Department veteran and president of the global strategies firm Valcor. Matt tells me that the people of Europe are getting tired of the status quo.

I also spoke with Matt Mowers, who's a State Department veteran and president of the global strategies firm Valcor. Matt tells me that the people of Europe are getting tired of the status quo.

He also suggested to me that Trump's impact on Europe this far has been, and I'm quoting, monumental.

He also suggested to me that Trump's impact on Europe this far has been, and I'm quoting, monumental.

It's also worth noting Vance's remarks in Munich continue to dominate discussions of free speech across the globe, and they'll likely continue to do so during CPAC Hungary 2025, which will take place this weekend, where conservative leaders and commentators are gathering.

It's also worth noting Vance's remarks in Munich continue to dominate discussions of free speech across the globe, and they'll likely continue to do so during CPAC Hungary 2025, which will take place this weekend, where conservative leaders and commentators are gathering.