Here’s a fun fact: federal bureaucrats can violate your constitutional rights, and you know who pays when they get sued? You do. Through your taxes. Meanwhile, the actual violator? They’re sipping coffee at their desk, pension secure.

This cozy arrangement has emboldened government overreach at every level. Think about it — pandemic censorship, discriminatory disaster relief, targeting political opponents. While citizens suffer real harm from constitutional violations, the bureaucrats who ordered these actions simply move on to their next government position. No personal consequences. No sleepless nights wondering how they’ll pay their mortgage. Nothing.

From ‘Just the News’:

“I have introduced the First Amendment Accountability Act,” Hageman said on the “Just the News, No Noise” TV show. The legislation would allow federal employees who violate citizens’ freedom of religion, press, assembly or speech to be held personally liable for damages, an injunction or attorneys’ fees.

Wyoming Representative Harriet Hageman just dropped a legislative bomb that could change everything. The First Amendment Accountability Act would strip away the protective shield bureaucrats hide behind. We’re talking personal liability here — these government employees could face lawsuits, pay damages from their own pockets, and cover attorney fees when they trample on free speech, religious liberty, or peaceful assembly rights.

The bill directly challenges qualified immunity, that get-out-of-jail-free card that’s protected government officials since 1967. As First Amendment litigator Lincoln Bandlow explained, while citizens have always been able to sue the government for rights violations, “there had always been immunity as to individual government employees. This changes that.” (And boy, does it need changing.)

Breaking Through the Bureaucratic Shield

Let’s talk about why this matters right now. Google admitted this week — admitted! — that the Biden administration “pressed” them to remove content challenging official COVID narratives. Conservative voices like Dan Bongino, Sebastian Gorka, and Steve Bannon were deplatformed for the crime of… questioning government policies.

These weren’t rogue actions by overzealous interns. This was systematic censorship, orchestrated by bureaucrats who knew they’d never face personal consequences. They crushed businesses, silenced doctors, and destroyed livelihoods — all while collecting their government paychecks. Under Hageman’s bill? Those same officials might think twice if their own bank accounts were on the line.

When Government Plays Favorites

But wait, it gets worse. Remember Hurricane Milton? FEMA officials — yes, the people supposedly helping disaster victims — admitted to bypassing homes with Trump signs. American citizens were denied disaster relief because of their political views.

Representative Hageman called it what it is: “clearly viewpoint discrimination.” Under current law, those affected families might win a lawsuit against FEMA the institution. Taxpayers foot the bill, and the actual discriminators? They probably got promoted. Hageman’s bill would flip that script entirely — suddenly these petty tyrants would face personal financial ruin for weaponizing their positions.

The Constitutional Comeback

This isn’t just about revenge (though accountability would be sweet). The First Amendment Accountability Act represents something bigger — a return to the founders’ vision where government fears the people, not the other way around.

When federal employees know they could lose their house for violating your rights, watch how fast they rediscover the Constitution they swore to uphold. Suddenly, that urge to censor “misinformation” doesn’t seem so appealing when it might cost them their kid’s college fund. This isn’t radical; it’s restoration of the accountability our founders intended. And honestly? It’s about time.

Key Takeaways

• Wyoming Rep. Hageman’s bill strips immunity from federal employees who violate First Amendment rights
• Government officials could face personal lawsuits and pay damages from their own pockets
• COVID censorship and FEMA’s anti-Trump discrimination show why personal accountability matters
• The legislation represents a return to constitutional principles and limited government

Sources: Just The News