🔴DERNIERE MINUTE : Donald Trump a accepté de rencontrer le nouveau dirigeant “marxiste” de la ville de New York dans le Bureau ovale. pic.twitter.com/w174rrW057
— Trump Fact News 🇺🇸 (@Trump_Fact_News) November 20, 2025
Day: November 19, 2025
#SouthCaucasus
x.com/armenpress/status/1991…
My #Opinion: The Framework for the #Confederation of People Of Southern #Caucasus (including the invitations for Abkhazia and South Ossetia ) would be a good and the logical way to start this process of building these roads and bridges, from silk to metal ones.
See Also:
armenpress.am/en/article/123…
–
google.com/search?num=10&new… x.com/armenpress/status/1991149389419520155— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Nov 19, 2025
#ACLU #Criticisms #FBI
What happened to the ACLU? –
The ACLU has been criticized for what some see as a shift in focus from a nonpartisan defense of civil liberties to a more partisan, politically aligned stance, particularly on issues of free speech and equality. This change includes new case selection guidelines that weigh the potential harm of certain speech, a departure from what critics describe as a former stance of First Amendment absolutism. However, the ACLU maintains it remains committed to protecting civil liberties for all, even as its critics and internal debates reflect a struggle to balance its mission with contemporary political challenges. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9]
Criticisms and concernsPolitical alignment: Critics argue the organization has become more partisan and less nonpartisan, with a public persona and social media presence that weighs in on issues not strictly tied to civil liberties. [1, 2, 3]
Case selection guidelines: The ACLU has updated its case selection criteria, a change some see as a retreat from its long-standing defense of free speech for all viewpoints. New guidelines consider the potential harm of speech to marginalized groups and whether it impedes progress toward equality. [4, 5, 10]
Free speech defense: Some argue the ACLU is no longer a consistent champion of free speech, pointing to the shift in its guidelines as a move away from defending unpopular speech, though the organization disputes this claim. [1, 5, 6, 9]
Internal debate: There is internal disagreement within the organization about its identity and how to balance its core mission with progressive priorities. [9, 11, 12, 13]ACLU’s response and perspective
Defending unpopular speech: The ACLU maintains it still defends the speech rights of those with whom it disagrees and continues to take on controversial cases, though its stated approach may have changed. [6, 7, 9]
Continued commitment: The organization argues it is still fighting to protect the rights guaranteed by the Constitution for everyone, regardless of politics, pointing to its ongoing work on various issues like voting rights, national security, and the rights of marginalized communities. [6, 7, 14, 15]
Adapting its mission: The ACLU asserts its mission is to protect civil liberties, which it argues is a constantly evolving goal. It frames its work as adapting to new challenges, such as the increasing importance of social media and political engagement, to advance the promise of the Constitution. [1, 7, 14, 16, 17, 18]AI responses may include mistakes.
[1] firstthings.com/what-happene…
[2] heritage.org/the-constitutio…
[3] reason.com/2022/06/20/the-ac…
[4] firstamendmentwatch.org/the-…
[5] fee.org/articles/the-aclu-is…
[6] aclu.org/news/civil-libertie…
[7] aclu.org/about/about-aclu
[8] aclu.org/about/about-members…
[9] abajournal.com/news/article/…
[10] pacificlegal.org/aclu-gives-…
[11] en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Americ…
[12] firstamendmentwatch.org/news…
[13] theguardian.com/us-news/2025…
[14] aclu.org/news/civil-libertie…
[15] ssir.org/articles/entry/aclu…
[16] thehill.com/opinion/civil-ri…
[17] aclu.org/news/civil-libertie…
[18] fastcompany.com/90144513/the…Google Search google.com/search?q=What+hap…
— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Nov 19, 2025
#SouthCaucasus #HakanFidan https://t.co/C8Aad58PzO
Alphanews Armenian Network@AlphaNewsAM#Ankara ready to normalize relations with #Yerevan after Armenia-Azerbaijan final peace agreement – Hakan Fidan https://t.co/iFTyUEhDhg pic.twitter.com/uyzZAQKZxZ— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) November 19, 2025
John Deering, The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette #EpsteinTrumpFiles
— EandPCartoons (@EandPCartoons) Nov 19, 2025
A colleague described Robyn McCutcheon’s coming out as “transcendent.” Now McCutcheon doesn’t even feel safe on U.S. soil.
#LGBTQ
lgbtqnation.com/2025/11/the-…— lgbtqnation (@lgbtqnation) Nov 19, 2025
An increasing number of college students are arriving on campus with math skills that don’t meet middle-school standards. @rosehorowitch reports on what’s behind the national decline in mathematical ability: https://t.co/f6SmVxYskl
— The Atlantic (@TheAtlantic) November 19, 2025
Two-thirds of small and mid-size business owners say they plan to increase prices next year as they continue to battle inflation, according to a report. https://t.co/oIgMh9NCEy
— Forbes (@Forbes) November 19, 2025
Criticisms of ACLU –
Criticism of the ACLU includes accusations that it has retreated from its commitment to free speech by not defending all speakers equally, particularly those with unpopular views or those whose speech is seen as harmful to marginalized groups. Other criticisms include a perceived shift from pure civil libertarian advocacy toward more political and “culture war” stances, and specific legal challenges, such as those against Title IX regulations on sexual harassment, which some argue compromise due process rights for the accused. Conversely, some critics, including those on the left, have historically criticized the ACLU for defending unpopular groups like neo-Nazis, while others criticize its current actions. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8]
Free speech and advocacySelective defense: Critics argue the ACLU has become selective in defending free speech, notably by sometimes refusing to defend speakers who denigrate marginalized groups, which is seen by some as a retreat from its core principles. [1, 2, 3, 5]
Internal tensions: The organization faces internal tensions over whether its increasing focus on political advocacy has come at the expense of its historical, unwavering devotion to the First Amendment. [7, 9]
“Culture war” issues: Some critics contend the ACLU has drifted from non-partisan civil liberties work into “culture war” politics. [7]
Historical criticism: Historically, some on the left have criticized the ACLU for defending the free speech rights of groups like neo-Nazis, while others, including some former leaders, argue the organization has become too politically driven and has abandoned its commitment to First Amendment principles. [2, 8]Due process
Title IX lawsuit: The ACLU has been criticized for its lawsuit against new Title IX regulations, which challenged provisions related to off-campus conduct and the handling of sexual harassment complaints, leading some to accuse it of undermining due process rights for the accused. [5, 6]
Other criticisms
Power and funding: Some critics argue the ACLU has become a powerful, well-funded progressive group that uses the courts to push a political agenda, with some even proposing ways to curb its power. [9, 10]
Historical examples: Criticisms include past instances where the ACLU declined to defend certain individuals or opposed legislation that could be seen as limiting free speech, although its defenders point to its unwavering commitment to principle in other controversial cases. [2, 5, 8]AI responses may include mistakes.
[1] firstamendment.mtsu.edu/arti…
[2] nymag.com/intelligencer/arti…
[3] firstamendmentwatch.org/the-…
[4] thefire.org/news/blogs/ronal…
[5] heritage.org/the-constitutio…
[6] aclu.org/news/womens-rights/…
[7] reason.com/2022/06/20/the-ac…
[8] en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Americ…
[9] nytimes.com/2021/06/06/us/ac…
[10] votesmart.org/public-stateme…Google Search google.com/search?q=Criticis…
— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Nov 19, 2025
ACLU Criticisms and #FBI –
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has criticized the FBI for what it views as civil liberties violations, including surveillance of innocent Americans, racial profiling through programs like “racial mapping,” and targeting political dissidents and religious groups. Specific concerns have focused on the use of community outreach programs for intelligence gathering, the potential for warrantless surveillance, and the use of terrorism task forces to surveil peaceful protestors. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8]
Areas of criticismSurveillance and intelligence gathering: The ACLU alleges the FBI has misused community outreach programs to collect intelligence on innocent Americans’ beliefs and activities, which are protected by the First Amendment. Documents obtained by the ACLU suggest the FBI uses these programs to gather information on individuals and community organizations.
Racial and religious profiling: The ACLU has accused the FBI of engaging in racial and religious profiling through initiatives like “racial mapping,” where the bureau allegedly collects racial and ethnic information and maps communities based on stereotypes rather than evidence of wrongdoing.
Targeting political and religious groups: The ACLU has criticized the FBI for investigating and collecting intelligence on American Muslim religious organizations and their leaders and congregants. The organization has also taken issue with FBI actions against other political groups, including those protesting government policies.
Use of terrorism task forces: The ACLU has sued the FBI and other agencies for the use of Joint Terrorism Task Forces (JTTFs) to surveil peaceful activists, including racial justice protestors. The group claims that intelligence hubs like fusion centers have been used to disseminate alarming reports on protest activity, sometimes sensationalizing it.
Unlawful surveillance powers: The ACLU has raised concerns that the FBI has improperly used surveillance powers, including allegations that it improperly uses the Patriot Act and other authorities.
Overreach in investigations: The ACLU has expressed concern over FBI tactics like large-scale raids on individuals and organizations, even those engaged in controversial activities. The organization has specifically called for special masters to oversee the review of seized materials to protect privileged information. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12]AI responses may include mistakes.
[1] aclu.org/news/national-secur…
[2] aclum.org/en/cases/aclu-v-fb…
[3] aclu.org/mapping-the-fbi
[4] aclu.org/documents/eye-fbi-e…
[5] aclu.org/news/national-secur…
[6] aclu.org/press-releases/aclu…
[7] aclu.org/news/national-secur…
[8] aclu.org/press-releases/aclu…
[9] aclu.org/press-releases/fbi-…
[10] aclu.org/news/civil-libertie…
[11] aclu.org/press-releases/docu…
[12] aclu.org/press-releases/aclu…Google Search google.com/search?q=ACLU+Cri…
— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Nov 19, 2025