search
Sections List
American Journal News

10 states and counting are suing Trump for censoring the internet

Donald Trump’s handpicked Federal Communications Commission chairman, Ajit Pai, oversaw a dangerous vote on Thursday that stripped away consumer protections for internet users. But the battle to save the internet from corporate control is likely to soldier on for a long time. In the immediate aftermath of the vote, 10 states and counting have announced they […]

By Eric Boehlert - December 15, 2017
Share
Eric Schneiderman
New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman

But the battle to save the internet from corporate control is likely to soldier on for a long time.

In the immediate aftermath of the vote, 10 states and counting have announced they would sue the FCC to protect net neutrality regulations.

The states argue that the FCC’s review process to overturn the rules was sloppy and won’t withstand a court review.

“We keep beating the Trump administration, we’re 5 and 0 so far, because they rush these decisions,” Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson said on Thursday. “And in the process they don’t follow certain rules they need to follow before they execute these decisions.”

Additionally, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman uncovered a scandal in which millions of bogus comments were filed with the FCC in support of gutting net neutrality over the months when the commission was asking for public input.

Trump’s FCC refused to investigate the massive fraud scheme.

Meanwhile, a handful of state legislatures are expected to try to pass laws that would essentially reinstate the internet rules for consumers in those states. That’s a move that the FCC would then likely challenge in court, as the agency is apparently ready to do the bidding of telecommunications giants such as Verizon, Comcast, and AT&T.

“Far from settling the matter, the Republican-led FCC has simply opened a new chapter in a bruising Washington battle that stretches back nearly as far as the dot-com boom itself,” the Washington Post noted. “A legal battle could drag on for months if not years, analysts say.”

Indeed, Democratic FCC commissioner Mignon Clyburn signaled at Thursday’s vote that the battle over internet consumer protections is far from over. “I am pleased to be able to say today is that the fight to save net neutrality does not end today. The agency does not have the final word,” she declared. “Thank goodness for that.”

The net neutrality rules put in place under President Barack Obama in 2015 require that internet providers treat all web traffic the same and not be allowed to slow down or block content.

American consumers, including three out of four Republicans, are overwhelmingly opposed to the move against net neutrality rules. Just 16 percent approve of the move made by Trump’s FCC on behalf of huge corporate telecommunications interests.

And state attorneys general are ready to stand with the majority on the right side of history when it comes to protecting the internet from corporations and the overreaches of the Trump administration.


AJ News
Subscribe to our newsletter.
Read More
Texas women face prosecution for abortions if new bill becomes law

Texas women face prosecution for abortions if new bill becomes law

By Bonnie Fuller - May 16, 2025
Forced to carry a dying baby, this Texas mother of four says she didn’t think it could happen to her

Forced to carry a dying baby, this Texas mother of four says she didn’t think it could happen to her

By Bonnie Fuller - March 28, 2025
Despite pleas from women and doctors, Texas may implement even more abortion restrictions

Despite pleas from women and doctors, Texas may implement even more abortion restrictions

By Bonnie Fuller - March 28, 2025
Maine gun safety advocates launch citizen initiative to pass ‘red flag’ law

Maine gun safety advocates launch citizen initiative to pass ‘red flag’ law

By Emma Davis, Maine Morning Star - September 19, 2024
GOP Senate candidate received a tax break for a townhouse she doesn’t live in

GOP Senate candidate received a tax break for a townhouse she doesn’t live in

By Michelle Griffith, Minnesota Reformer - September 10, 2024
New NC GOP chair flirts with bogus stolen election conspiracies

New NC GOP chair flirts with bogus stolen election conspiracies

By Jesse Valentine - April 19, 2024
AJ News
Latest
Whatley campaign tied to company accused of preying on veterans

Whatley campaign tied to company accused of preying on veterans

By Jesse Valentine - November 06, 2025
‘Ticket to Ride’ and pickle sandwiches: The family life behind Abigail Spanberger’s campaign

‘Ticket to Ride’ and pickle sandwiches: The family life behind Abigail Spanberger’s campaign

By Bonnie Fuller - November 03, 2025
Republican John Reid says Confederate generals were “remarkable people”

Republican John Reid says Confederate generals were “remarkable people”

By Jesse Valentine - October 31, 2025
RFK Jr. is going to war against abortion pills

RFK Jr. is going to war against abortion pills

By Bonnie Fuller - October 31, 2025
Ciattarelli wants to end the immigration policy that made his family American

Ciattarelli wants to end the immigration policy that made his family American

By Jesse Valentine - October 31, 2025
Collins says she opposed GOP bill—then brags about writing it

Collins says she opposed GOP bill—then brags about writing it

By Jesse Valentine - October 28, 2025
Some of Jack Ciattarelli’s biggest donors have criminal records

Some of Jack Ciattarelli’s biggest donors have criminal records

By Jesse Valentine - October 27, 2025
GOP Rep. Mike Lawler raises money for radical anti-abortion group

GOP Rep. Mike Lawler raises money for radical anti-abortion group

By Jesse Valentine - October 22, 2025
Lavish White House spending persists as federal workers go unpaid

Lavish White House spending persists as federal workers go unpaid

By Jesse Valentine - October 22, 2025
Miyares’ record shows a long history of siding with landlords over renters

Miyares’ record shows a long history of siding with landlords over renters

By Jesse Valentine - October 16, 2025
Lombardo voted by mail. Now, he wants to restrict it.

Lombardo voted by mail. Now, he wants to restrict it.

By Jesse Valentine - October 15, 2025
Miller-Meeks digs in, says no to health care savings for Iowans

Miller-Meeks digs in, says no to health care savings for Iowans

By Jesse Valentine - October 14, 2025
Tom Barrett promoted GOP budget by passing off a political insider as a small business owner

Tom Barrett promoted GOP budget by passing off a political insider as a small business owner

By Jesse Valentine - October 10, 2025
Republican Rep. Rob Wittman under fire for fundraising during shutdown

Republican Rep. Rob Wittman under fire for fundraising during shutdown

By Jesse Valentine - October 08, 2025
Jason Miyares advanced an extreme anti-abortion agenda as Virginia attorney general

Jason Miyares advanced an extreme anti-abortion agenda as Virginia attorney general

By Jesse Valentine - October 07, 2025
NEWSLETTER: A new generation of Trump grifters

NEWSLETTER: A new generation of Trump grifters

By Jesse Valentine - October 06, 2025
Texas wanted to force her US Marine vet husband to watch their baby die—it would have been worse than war

Texas wanted to force her US Marine vet husband to watch their baby die—it would have been worse than war

By Bonnie Fuller - October 02, 2025
Tumblr linked to Republican John Reid engaged with Nazi porn accounts

Tumblr linked to Republican John Reid engaged with Nazi porn accounts

By Jesse Valentine - October 01, 2025
Spanberger speaks: How she’ll fight Medicaid cuts, create more affordable housing, and protect public schools

Spanberger speaks: How she’ll fight Medicaid cuts, create more affordable housing, and protect public schools

By Bonnie Fuller - September 25, 2025
Republican Josh Williams: I support tax breaks for the rich

Republican Josh Williams: I support tax breaks for the rich

By Jesse Valentine - September 25, 2025
Whatley leans on election deniers, alleged abusers to fund North Carolina Senate run

Whatley leans on election deniers, alleged abusers to fund North Carolina Senate run

By Jesse Valentine - September 24, 2025
NEWSLETTER: wake up

NEWSLETTER: wake up

By Jesse Valentine - September 19, 2025
House Democrats demand answers on Jimmy Kimmel firing

House Democrats demand answers on Jimmy Kimmel firing

By Jesse Valentine - September 18, 2025
Can Democrats defeat Andy Ogles?

Can Democrats defeat Andy Ogles?

By Jesse Valentine - September 18, 2025
J.D. Vance jokes about White House committing war crimes

J.D. Vance jokes about White House committing war crimes

By Jesse Valentine - September 18, 2025
NRSC uses edited clip to falsely tie Cooper to Charlotte stabbing

NRSC uses edited clip to falsely tie Cooper to Charlotte stabbing

By Jesse Valentine - September 12, 2025
Public school defender Ghazala Hashmi takes on right-wing radio’s Reid for lieutenant governor

Public school defender Ghazala Hashmi takes on right-wing radio’s Reid for lieutenant governor

By Bonnie Fuller - September 12, 2025
Texas’ newest abortion law allows $100,000 rewards for snitching on pregnant women

Texas’ newest abortion law allows $100,000 rewards for snitching on pregnant women

By Bonnie Fuller - September 10, 2025
Collins slams ‘outside money’ before heading to Hollywood for fundraiser

Collins slams ‘outside money’ before heading to Hollywood for fundraiser

By Jesse Valentine - September 10, 2025
Iowa Rep. Miller-Meeks balks at concerns of mobile home residents

Iowa Rep. Miller-Meeks balks at concerns of mobile home residents

By Jesse Valentine - September 09, 2025
NEWSLETTER: Trump blew up a boat

NEWSLETTER: Trump blew up a boat

By Jesse Valentine - September 06, 2025
FACT CHECK: Yes, Wes Moore did receive a Bronze Star for heroism

FACT CHECK: Yes, Wes Moore did receive a Bronze Star for heroism

By Jesse Valentine - September 02, 2025
In her own words: Why this Texas physician now helps women in Virginia

In her own words: Why this Texas physician now helps women in Virginia

By Bonnie Fuller - September 02, 2025
NEWSLETTER: Gavin Newsom’s noncompliance

NEWSLETTER: Gavin Newsom’s noncompliance

By Jesse Valentine - August 22, 2025

Except where otherwise noted, content on this site is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License .