Tim Heaphy and Sen. Eric Schmitt: Balancing free speech and safety in the public square

The last academic year saw the First Amendment tested across college campuses. Protests over Israel's treatment of Gaza dominated headlines and disrupted commencements, while antisemitic and anti-Muslim incidents on campuses rose. As another school year approaches, institutions are facing new free speech debates ahead. One lawyer who ran investigations into the Capitol insurrection and the Charlottesville rally, and one Senator who has sued the Biden administration over censorship, share their takes on the balance of free speech and safety on college campuses and online.

Guest: Timothy Heaphy, partner at Willkie, Farr & Gallagher; lecturer at the School of Law at the University of Virginia; led investigations for the House Select Committee on the January 6th insurrection and the Unite the Right rally at UVA in Charlottesville; Senator Eric Schmitt (R-Missouri); serves on the Committees of Armed Services, Commerce, Science, and Transportation; former Attorney General of Missouri.

Credits: 1 big thing is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Alexandra Botti, and Jay Cowit. Music is composed by Alex Sugiura and Jay Cowit. You can reach us at [email protected]. You can send questions, comments and story ideas as a text or voice memo to Niala at 202-918-4893.