Trump doubles down on veto threat on defense bill

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump again threatened on Thursday to veto a colossal defense bill if lawmakers did not include a measure removing legal protections for social media companies.

Trump calls for the repeal of a federal law, known as Section 230 of the Communications Act, that protects tech giants like Facebook and Twitter from being held legally responsible for what is posted on their platforms.

On Wednesday, Trump called the provision a “big tech” liability protection gift and called for it to be “completely terminated” or else he would overturn this year’s National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA.

The president also said the measure posed a serious threat to U.S. national security as well as electoral integrity, but gave no further explanatory details. Trump also said his favorite social media platform Twitter had unfairly censored him.

The president’s issue with Section 230 came to light this summer after Twitter added warning labels to several of its tweets stating that postal voting was fraudulent. Trump still has not conceded the US presidential election to Democrat Joe Biden.

The NDAA, which typically passes with overwhelming bipartisan support and veto-proof majorities, is a sweeping defense bill that authorizes a total of $ 740 billion in spending and outlines Pentagon policy.

The bill could have enough bipartisan support in Congress to overturn Trump’s veto if he carries out his threat.

This year’s legislation includes a 3% pay hike for US troops, a plan to rename military installations with the names of Confederate leaders, and a series of other provisions. The NDAA, in its current form, does not include any measures relating to section 230.

This is not the first time the President has targeted NDAA. Earlier this year, Trump said he would veto the measure if it included language on changing U.S. military facilities named after Confederate generals.

Read more: Trump says U.S. military bases will retain Confederate names

Despite threats from Trump, lawmakers included the name change provision in this year’s NDAA.

This week, Trump’s plan to “unequivocally veto” the NDAA met swift bipartisan opposition as lawmakers work to pass the crucial bill needed to fund the military by the end of the year.

The latest legislative hiccup between the White House and the Hill comes as lawmakers sprint to complete a second pandemic stimulus bill.

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle rebuffed Trump’s 11th hour request, saying the repeal of Section 230 was irrelevant to passing the main Pentagon bill.

“First of all, 230 has nothing to do with the military,” Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), Republican chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, told reporters on Wednesday.

“We should remove 230, but you can’t do that in this bill. It’s not part of the bill,” Inhofe added.

“I hope he wouldn’t follow through on this because NDAA is essential,” Armed Services Committee member Senator Mike Rounds (RS.D.) said, according to The Hill.

Republican Senate Whip John Thune (R-SD) said Wednesday: “I don’t think the Defense Bill is the place to argue” the Section 230 fight, according to The Hill.

Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.), Responded to Trump’s tweet saying he would vote to overturn Trump’s veto.

Meanwhile, some GOP Senators, such as Sen. Lindsey Graham (RS.C.) and Sen. Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Have said they would support Trump vetoing the NDAA in order to repeal or reform article 230.

Congressman Adam Smith, a Democrat from Washington and chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, said the president’s fixation for Section 230 stems from his personal battles with Twitter.

“To be clear, Mr. President, the repeal of Section 230 was not included in the House OR Senate version of NDAA,” Smith tweeted Wednesday. “You are angry with Twitter. We all know that. You are ready to veto the Defense Bill for something that has everything to do with your ego, and nothing to do with defense,” added Smith.