One of my readers, Arthur — who once served as vice chair of a political committee in Maryland — wrote to me after reading one of my columns. He quoted Jimi Hendrix: “There must be some kind of way out of here, said the joker to the thief. There’s too much confusion, I can’t get no relief.” He went on to describe the stress, confusion, and helplessness so many Americans feel today, reminding me that part of our relief comes from strong, honest, and courageous journalists deciphering the political scene. His words struck me because they capture the moment we are living in: people are hungry for truthful information, yet too often they are fed lies.
Free speech versus falsehoods — there is no competition because, ironically, both are protected under the First Amendment. The Supreme Court has ruled that most political lies are shielded, even when they mislead voters. That protection makes it nearly impossible to legislate against deception in campaigns or public discourse. Yet the damage of lying is devastating. Consider the “Big Lie” of 2020. Repeated endlessly, it convinced millions that the presidential election was stolen. That falsehood eroded trust in the electoral system, fueled conspiracy theories, and culminated in the violence of January 6. Democracy depends on the peaceful transfer of power, yet lies turned citizens against one another and against the institutions meant to safeguard our republic.
A few months ago, I read an opinion in which a young law student explained why he would cast his ballot for Trump. He claimed that Kamala Harris was against the Second Amendment, even though she had openly shared that she was a gun owner. He also described her as authoritarian. These were lies concocted by Trump, but the student believed them. I felt sadness for the young man. He was studying the law — preparing for a career built on truth and justice — yet he was already caught in untruths. He had not done his own research to decipher the lies. Anyone listening carefully to Harris and her running mate would have known the truth. But the noise of repeated falsehoods drowned out reality, leaving even a future lawyer misled. This example shows how lies affect uninformed voters. When citizens accept falsehoods without checking facts, democracy itself is endangered. That is why I tell people: do your research, look at roll call votes, and demand to know the truth. Only an informed electorate can hold leaders accountable and protect the republic.
Just because speech is free does not make the lie true. As a former coordinator of human relations and professional development, I was trained to read body language: folded arms, shifting eye contact, mismatches between words and gestures, changes in speech patterns, and signs of stress. These cues often reveal what words try to conceal. Trump, his press secretary, and others frequently give short, uninformative answers without detail. Their voices change tone, their body language shifts, and they deflect instead of answering yes or no questions. Another tactic is answering a question that was never asked — changing the topic entirely to avoid accountability. These behaviors are not accidental; they are part of the performance of lying, designed to distract, confuse, and overwhelm.
Meanwhile, while citizens chase distractions, leaders exploit the noise to pass harmful legislation. The so‑called Big Beautiful Bill was promoted as relief for working Americans, but in reality it cut SNAP benefits, restricted child care, reduced student aid, and limited Medicare — all while delivering permanent tax breaks to corporations and the wealthy. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 was sold as a middle‑class tax cut, but its largest benefits went to the rich. These bills passed under cover of lies, showing how disinformation isn’t just rhetoric; it clears the path for policies that betray the public.
It takes courage, conscience, and sacrifice to confront hypocrisy. Liz Cheney stood as a patriot for justice and was penalized by her own party (MSN, VICE). Contrast that with Fox Nation, which gave Trump a “Patriot of the Year” award — an honor he effectively bought. That is not patriotism; that is hypocrisy.
Freedom of the press is not optional — it is the mechanism that keeps government honest (Free Speech Center). Yet Trump undermined transparency, intimidating reporters and turning access into leverage. He weaponized the Department of Justice against enemies while shielding allies (Reuters). By politicizing prosecutions and dismantling oversight, he eroded the firewall meant to protect democracy.
Lying may not be formally classified as a homeland security issue, but its consequences are undeniable. Falsehoods have fueled political violence against leaders and citizens in red, blue, and purple states alike. When lies motivate threats, shootings, and intimidation, they cross the line from rhetoric into public danger. Disinformation destabilizes communities, erodes trust, and weakens the resilience of our democracy.
Therefore, Congress must act. Regulations restricting deliberate lies to voters, policy reforms that strengthen accountability, and protections for whistleblowers are essential. Oversight bodies must have the power to condemn lying and enforce consequences. Truth in campaigning should be a baseline, not an aspiration. At the same time, media interventions are equally critical. Networks and social media outlets that knowingly spread falsehoods — especially those that motivate violence — must be held accountable and penalized. Fact‑checking, ethical standards, and truth pledges should be required of candidates and platforms alike. Citizens deserve transparency, not manipulation.
Still, legislation and oversight alone are not enough. It will take persistence from all of us. Americans must send a clear message: we have had enough of the lies, falsehoods, and conspiracies. We are intelligent beings who see through the fog, the distractions, and the deception. Stop insulting our intelligence. Citizens must learn to steer clear of distractions and avoid chasing noise. We must research facts, look at roll call votes, demand accountability, and insist on ethics in public life. Democracy depends on our vigilance.
Ultimately, leaders will earn respect, credibility, and trust when they tell the truth and practice transparency. That is the foundation of democracy. Citizens do not expect perfection, but we do expect honesty. We want the truth, even when it is hard to hear, because only truth allows us to make informed choices and hold leaders accountable. Lies may be protected by the First Amendment, but they erode democracy, divide communities, and endanger lives. If leaders will not honor that truth, then citizens must demand it — persistently, courageously, and without compromise.
Free Speech and Freedom of the press are constitutional safeguards meant to keep leaders honest and in check. Yet the First Amendment also shields political lies, which makes it all the more urgent that citizens demand truth, transparency, and accountability. Only by challenging hypocrisy, protecting this freedom, and standing with those intimidated or threatened will democracy be released to thrive.
Bio: Carolyn Goode is a retired educational leader and advocate for ethical leadership, government accountability, and civic empowerment. She focuses her writing on exposing hypocrisy and restoring integrity in public service.
