In a dramatic escalation of the “tech war” between Washington and Brussels, the U.S. State Department announced on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, that it is denying visas to five prominent Europeans. The administration, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, accused the individuals of using European laws to “coerce” American tech companies into suppressing political speech.
The “Censorship” List: Who Was Targeted?
The State Department, via Under Secretary Sarah Rogers, identified the five individuals as “radical activists” and leaders of “weaponized NGOs”:
- Thierry Breton (Former EU Commissioner): Labeled the “mastermind” of the Digital Services Act (DSA). The U.S. specifically cited his August 2024 warning to Elon Musk regarding the amplification of “harmful content” during an interview with Donald Trump.
- Imran Ahmed (CEO, Center for Countering Digital Hate): A frequent critic of X (formerly Twitter) and its content moderation policies under Musk.
- Clare Melford (Global Disinformation Index): Head of the UK-based GDI, which has been accused by U.S. conservatives of “blacklisting” right-wing media outlets.
- Anna-Lena von Hodenberg (HateAid): Co-leader of the German nonprofit that serves as a “trusted flagger” under the DSA.
- Josephine Ballon (HateAid): Legal head of HateAid, targeted for her role in enforcing European hate speech laws on U.S. platforms.
The US Argument: “Extraterritorial Overreach”
The Trump administration has characterized the EU’s DSA and the UK’s Online Safety Act as direct attacks on American sovereignty and the First Amendment.
- Economic Retaliation: The visa ban follows reports that the U.S. is considering broader sanctions against European companies like Spotify, Siemens, and DHL in response to EU tech regulations.
- Marco Rubio’s Statement: “President Trump has been clear that his America First foreign policy rejects violations of American sovereignty. Extraterritorial overreach by foreign censors targeting American speech is no exception.”
The European Response: “A Witch Hunt”
European leaders and the targeted individuals have reacted with fierce condemnation, framing the ban as an attempt to intimidate democratic regulators.
- Thierry Breton: Slammed the move as a “McCarthyite witch hunt,” posting on X: “To our American friends: Censorship isn’t where you think it is.” He noted that the DSA was democratically adopted by all 27 EU member states.
- Jean-Noël Barrot (French Foreign Minister): Strongly condemned the restrictions, stating that Europe will not let its digital space be governed by foreign powers.
- Digital Sovereignty: EU officials maintain that the DSA only ensures “what is illegal offline is illegal online” and has no reach within the United States.
Impact on Transatlantic Relations
This move signals a total breakdown in tech cooperation between the U.S. and its European allies.
- UK Cooperation Suspended: Last week, the White House suspended a major tech cooperation deal with the UK, citing concerns over the Online Safety Act.
- X’s Legal Battle: The ban comes just weeks after the EU fined Musk’s X €120 million for transparency violations—the first major fine issued under the DSA.