By Joe TrotterThe people targeted in these raids are not violent criminals, they were simply speaking their mind about a pressing public issue. But, unfortunately, Chisholm succeeded where the campaign-finance reform community so often fails: he managed, in practice, to shut down legitimate debate and advocacy by wielding government power in ways that directly contradict the First Amendment.The investigation and resulting gag order forced most of the groups targeted by the raids to shut down. After all, it’s hard to find benefactors when you cannot explain to donors why the government is investigating your organization.Chisholm has since been sued by targets of the raid. The case, O’Keefe v. Chisholm, is currently before the U.S. Supreme Court on a petition for certiorari. If the Supreme Court takes the case, the targets of Mr. Chisholm’s abuse of power may finally be granted real justice.
