How did the Supreme Court rule regarding the Espionage Act?

1 Answer
Nov 14, 2017

It upheld the authority of the government to essentially censure "speech".

Congress had the power to enact legislation that under ordinary circumstances might not be acceptable, when faced by “a clear and present danger."

Explanation:

The law also authorized the Postmaster General to remove treasonable or seditious material from the mail.

This measure was quickly challenged in the courts. In a controversial Supreme Court decision, Schenck v. United States (1919), the law was upheld.
http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1344.html

For better or worse, the Trump Administration may finally test the Espionage Act’s sweeping, ambiguous language against reporters’ core First Amendment rights.

With that test looming and with the 100th birthday of the law upon us, it’s clear that the Espionage Act needs to be reformed.
https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/06/17/espionage-act-one-hundred-years-murky-law