Topics: Presidents

• Abraham Lincoln

  Though revered by history, Abraham Lincoln has been criticized for his restrictions on civil liberties during the Civil War, including First Amendment freedoms...

• Donald Trump

  President Donald Trump attacked the news media, promised to "open up" libel law and increase religious freedom for evangelicals...

• George Washington

  George Washington, first President of the United States, favored the Bill of Rights and advocated for religious freedom throughout his life...

• James Madison

  James Madison, the chief author of the Bill of Rights and the First Amendment, was the foremost champion of the freedoms of religion, speech, and the press in...

• John Adams

  John Adams, who served as the first vice president and second President of the United States, also supported First Amendment principles through his political...

• John Quincy Adams

  John Quincy Adams was the sixth president of the United States, a legislator, and an attorney. He argued against the "gag rule" in Congress that tabled...

• Richard M. Nixon

  Richard Nixon's conduct during his presidency typified executive abuse of power, even threatening the freedoms of speech, press, and political association...

• Thomas Jefferson

  Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence and third President of the United States, perpetuated the American ideals of freedom of speech,...

• William Taft

  William Howard Taft is the only person to have served as both President and then chief justice of the United States. His Court began to apply the First...