Alexandria, VA – The Institute for Free Speech released the following statement in response to yesterday’s tweet by Congressman Joaquin Castro exposing Americans who donated to President Donald Trump’s campaign and targeting them for potential harassment and retribution.

“It’s a disturbing and irresponsible use of campaign finance laws. What worries me is that public officials now use these laws to monitor and bully Americans. It is hard to imagine a purpose for Rep. Castro’s tweet other than to incite harassment and retribution against these individuals and businesses.

“Rep. Castro and many in Congress now want to pass new laws to invade the privacy of supporters of groups advocating for social change. That’s a bad idea. Privacy isn’t just your constitutional right. It’s a vital protection for free speech,” said Institute for Free Speech Chairman Bradley A. Smith.

About the Institute for Free Speech

The Institute for Free Speech is a nonpartisan, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that promotes and defends the First Amendment rights to freely speak, assemble, publish, and petition the government. Originally known as the Center for Competitive Politics, it was founded in 2005 by Bradley A. Smith, a former Chairman of the Federal Election Commission. The Institute is the nation’s largest organization dedicated solely to protecting First Amendment political rights.