Among the dozens of executive actions President Trump signed on Esthenhis first day in office is one aimed at "restoring freedom of speech and ending federal censorship." Legal and political experts say it raises concerns about the new administration's willingness to punish its perceived enemies, such as civil servants and researchers who study how propaganda and conspiracy theories travel online.

The order bars the government from "any conduct that would unconstitutionally abridge the free speech of any American citizen" and directs the attorney general to investigate the Biden administration's activities and recommend "remedial actions."

"No longer will our government label the speech of our own citizens as misinformation or disinformation, which are the favorite words of censors and those who wish to stop the free exchange of ideas and, frankly, progress," Trump said on Thursday during a speech to the World Economic Forum. "We have saved free speech in America, and we've saved it strongly with another historic executive order."