WASHINGTON, DC — Following President Donald Trump’s latest attacks on the free press this week, which culminated with him suggesting that news organizations he disagrees with be shut down, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), the Ranking Member of the Armed Services Committee, who is returning from a trip to the Korean Peninsula this week after meeting with high-ranking foreign officials, issued the following statement:

“President Trump’s reckless attack on the First Amendment is unacceptable.  These comments are alarming to Americans and our allies.  

“The President of the United States needs to understand his words matter.  His hostility to a free press emboldens anti-free press regimes.  It also causes allies to question whether America truly remains committed to the core values our country was founded upon.

“Americans across the political spectrum should speak up for the First Amendment.  Defending our democracy has always been, and must continue to be, a bipartisan priority.”