Democrat Ted Lieu said he “would love to be able to regulate the content of speech” on Dec. 12, in a live interview with CNN.
In a recording of the interview published by The Washington Free Beacon, CNN host Brianna Keilar at one point changed the topic from Michael Cohen’s sentencing to the Google CEO hearing.
Keilar commented on how Lieu used his time to push back on the Republicans and asked if Lieu should have used that time pressing Google’s CEO instead.
“It’s a very good point you make. I would love if I could have more than five minutes to question witnesses. Unfortunately, I don’t get that opportunity.” Lieu responded.
“However, I would love to be able to regulate the content of speech. The First Amendment prevents me from doing so, and that’s simply a function of the First Amendment, but I think over the long run, it’s better the government does not regulate the content of speech.” Lieu continued.
“I would urge these private sector companies to regulate it better themselves but it’s really nothing that I believe government can do, so that’s been my position all along.” Lieu concluded.
Lieu’s choice of words expressing his desire to control speech caught the attention of Twitter users.
Some asked him to explain himself, some expressed their disbelief and concern, and others made more heated comments, such as demanding to remove him from his office.
“Did I understand you correctly, wishing you could regulate the content of speech, but are prevented from doing so by the 1st amendment?” said Louis Lopez.
“Tell us more about your communist ideology. Unbelievable,” said Twitter user oneigh.
“Ted Lieu born in Taiwan but would be more comfortable in Red China,” said James Lovely.
“You are literally on camera admitting you are against the 1st amendment. You need to be removed from office,” said Twitter user Hræfen.
Lieu wrote that he was defending the First Amendment in response to a Twitter comment.
“I would love to regulate your speech, but thank goodness the First Amendment prevents me, @POTUS, and Republicans from doing so.” Lieu tweeted.
I would love to regulate your speech, but thank goodness the First Amendment prevents me, @POTUS, and Republicans from doing so.
Get it? I'm defending the First Amendment.
— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) December 12, 2018
However, some Twitter users noted that whether he claims to defend the First Amendment or not, his tweet doesn’t change the fact that he expressed his desire to regulate speech.
“That’s not the way it works, Congressman. You cannot say you are defending the Constitution by saying you would love to stomp all over it,” replied Dale Glenn.
The trigger for Lieu’s comments expressing his desire to regulate speech was Google CEO Sundar Pichai’s House Judiciary Committee hearing, regarding Google’s control of information.
Many Republicans believe that Google’s search algorithm is designed to display more positive results from liberal sources. The California Democrat defended Google during the hearing.
“If you want positive search results, do positive things; if you don’t want negative search results, don’t do negative things.” Lieu concluded after making a live demonstration to show there’s no bias in Google’s search result.
“To some of my colleagues across the aisle, if you’re getting bad press articles and bad search results, don’t blame Google or Facebook or Twitter. Consider blaming yourself,” Lieu added, as shown in a video recording posted by Nola.com.
According to the Atlantic, Pichai struggled to answer the questions with fluency and responsiveness during the hearing, and Lieu’s action and words contributed positively to Google’s cause. However, the author of the article, Ian Bogost, also points out that Google’s search result is determined by popularity, not the moral of actions.
The hearing also questioned on Google’s launch in China. According to The Epoch Times, Google’s CEO, Sundar Pichai, didn’t rule out launching a censorship and surveillance tool in the communist-controlled country.
