The First Amendment pro- vides various freedoms to citizens. Among these is the freedom of the press. However, under this current presidential administration, reporters have never been treated with less respect while exercising their First Amendment rights.

President Donald Trump regularly slams so-called “fake news” outlets like CNN and en- courages his supporters to ignore all information from them, fact or opinion. CNN is notoriously left-leaning and there- fore often broadcasts slander relating to Trump. However, it is the right of people at CNN to air what they want and educate the public. Fox News, the right- leaning equivalent of CNN, is equally inaccurate, if not less accurate than other news out- lets. According to Politifact.com, 78 percent of statements made on Fox News range from half- true to a “pants on fire” lie. This is interesting, especially since those who blindly listen to the president often also listen to the source that has more fake news than not.

In the news last year, Ben Jacobs, a political reporter for The Guardian, was attempt- ing to interview Congressman Greg Gianforte. For reasons unknown, Gianforte head-butted Jacobs to the ground and broke his glasses. Gianforte was ordered to pay $385, attend 20 hours of anger management and complete 40 hours of community service. Violence is unacceptable, especially in response to being asked for an interview. Reporters who are giving candidates for re-election a chance to speak their mind should be treated with respect, especially since it is their constitutional right to be there. Regardless, in the few days following the assault, Trump praised Gianforte, saying, rather intelligently, “Any guy that can do a body-slam… now that’s my guy.”

Violence is unacceptable, especially in response to being asked for an interview. When given the opportunity to take back what his praising of violence, Trump instead decided to reaffirm his claim, stating that Gianforte is a tough cookie and a tremendous person. In this country, at least in the eyes of our president, it is acceptable to assault reporters who are trying to interview the assaulter. By this happening, political reporters, in fact, all reporters, will be wary of requesting interviews or reaching out for information. Jacobs was punched in the face and tackled to the ground. His glasses were broken, and the president believes that attack to be honorable.

In dictatorships, the first right to be taken away is usually the freedom of the press. This is not to say that the United States will become a dictatorship, since there are many checks and balances in place to avoid that happening. However, it is truly frightening that there are any parallels at all that can be drawn between Trump and fascism.