Critics slammed President Donald Trump on Monday for saying he’s “not so sure” about a basic right guaranteed by the Constitution.
The moment came during an Oval Office appearance as the president spoke about last week’s public killing of conservative activist and podcaster Charlie Kirk.
Trump has blamed “the left” for the deadly shooting, threatened to prosecute left-wing protesters and said he had instructed Attorney General Pam Bondi to look into using racketeering laws against leftist groups.
On Monday, he mentioned a decades-long peace vigil protest he had removed from near the White House earlier this month, bragging that “it was gone the next day” after he found out about it.
Trump also claimed the protester was part of a “violent radical left group.”
“They still have a First Amendment right, though, they’re still out there protesting,” the reporter pointed out.
“Yeah, well, I’m not so sure about that,” Trump said.
Bondi during a separate interview also indicated limits on First Amendment rights, saying law enforcement would go after “hate speech.”
“We will absolutely target you, go after you, if you are targeting anyone with hate speech,” she said.
“Pay attention,” Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) wrote on X on Sunday. “Something dark might be coming. The murder of Charlie Kirk could have united Americans to confront political violence. Instead, Trump and his anti-democratic radicals look to be readying a campaign to destroy dissent.”
Murphy also posted examples on social media.
Trump’s critics warned that Monday’s comments are another warning sign that the administration is gearing up to go after all dissent by calling it “hate speech.”
“Trump is weaponizing the federal government to silence free expression,” California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) wrote on X. “Even calls for peace. It’s dangerous, and it must be called out.”
Others also fired back on social media:
Pam Bondi wants to prosecute you for making vigil posters.
Trump? He’s “not so sure” you still have First Amendment rights.
This isn’t about mourning Charlie Kirk.
It’s about testing how far they can go before dissent is a crime.
And they’re saying the quiet part out loud. pic.twitter.com/yWWF3zjw2D
— Brian Allen (@allenanalysis) September 16, 2025
🚨MAJOR BREAKING: Reporter: “They still have their First Amendment right – they’re still out there protesting.”
Trump: “Well, I’m not so sure.”
This should terrify everyone.
— CALL TO ACTIVISM (@CalltoActivism) September 15, 2025
Reporter: “They still have their First Amendment right – they’re still out there protesting.”
Trump: “Well, I’m not so sure.”
What the flying fuck?!!!!!!
— Morgan J. Freeman (@mjfree) September 16, 2025
If anyone thinks their Constitutional rights will protect them from anything the Trump administration is, or will be doing, then you haven’t been paying attention for the last 238 days.
Trump views the Constitution as an inconvenient speed bump towards absolute control. https://t.co/Y0V53RK3vX
— Melanie D’Arrigo (@DarrigoMelanie) September 15, 2025
Our first amendment right does not go away.
— Vince Wilson (@VinceWilsonShow) September 15, 2025
PowerOurJournalism
Your SupportFuelsOur Mission
Your SupportFuelsOur Mission
Your membership fuels reporting that informs, inspires, and holds power accountable. Stand with us in this work – become a member now.
Join, Read, Impact
We remain committed to providing you with the unflinching, fact-based journalism everyone deserves.
Thank you again for your support along the way. We’re truly grateful for readers like you! Your initial support helped get us here and bolstered our newsroom, which kept us strong during uncertain times. Now as we continue, we need your help more than ever. We hope you will join us once again.
We remain committed to providing you with the unflinching, fact-based journalism everyone deserves.
Thank you again for your support along the way. We’re truly grateful for readers like you! Your initial support helped get us here and bolstered our newsroom, which kept us strong during uncertain times. Now as we continue, we need your help more than ever. We hope you will join us once again.
Support HuffPost
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.
Man, Trump’s “Well, I’m not so sure” reply to Brian Glenn in the Oval Office on September 15, 2025, is straight-up right-wing extremism and rage bait, meant to jack up division and fear. Glenn, MTG’s boyfriend, said anti-deportation protesters still have their 1st Amendment…
— SilenceBeDamned🇺🇸🦅 (@SilenceDamned) September 15, 2025