On December 24, 2025, the U.S. State Department announced sanctions against five Europeans accused of leading efforts to pressure U.S. technology firms to censor American viewpoints. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described these individuals as 'radical' activists affiliated with 'weaponized' non-governmental organizations. This action is part of a broader initiative by the Trump administration to counter perceived foreign influence over online discourse, utilizing immigration law rather than direct platform regulations or sanctions.

The individuals sanctioned include Imran Ahmed, CEO of the Centre for Countering Digital Hate; Josephine Ballon and Anna-Lena von Hodenberg, leaders of the German organization HateAid; Clare Melford, head of the Global Disinformation Index; and Thierry Breton, a former European Union commissioner responsible for digital affairs. The State Department's statement indicated that these individuals were involved in foreign government campaigns that could have serious implications for U.S. foreign policy.

U.S. Undersecretary of State Sarah Rogers highlighted Breton's role in the EU's Digital Services Act, which aims to enhance online safety by regulating harmful content. Breton had previously warned tech billionaire Elon Musk about the potential amplification of harmful content during a livestream interview with Donald Trump.

In response to the sanctions, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot condemned the actions, asserting that the Digital Services Act was designed to ensure that illegal activities offline are also illegal online, emphasizing that it does not extend its reach to the United States.

The sanctions follow a pattern of visa restrictions targeting visitors from specific regions, including African and Middle Eastern countries, and the Palestinian Authority. The implications of these sanctions raise questions about the balance between national security and the protection of free speech, particularly in the context of international relations.

In a related development, the University of California, Irvine (UCI) removed a webpage outlining a racial quota for its Samueli School of Engineering after a civil rights complaint was filed by the Equal Protection Project (EPP). The EPP argued that the policy aimed at increasing the representation of Black faculty, students, and staff constituted a de facto quota system, potentially violating federal civil rights laws. UCI has not provided a detailed explanation for the removal but affirmed its commitment to fostering a welcoming campus environment.

This incident is part of a larger initiative by the EPP, which has also lodged complaints against the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) regarding race- and sex-based scholarships. These developments highlight ongoing debates about equity and representation in higher education, particularly in relation to federal civil rights legislation.