Thread by @EllenLWeintraub

Today’s the 8th birthday of #SCOTUS’s affirmance of Bluman v. @FEC!

This critically important case held that the U.S. has a “compelling interest” in limiting the political activities of foreigners, thus protecting our political system from foreign political influence.

/1

The court concluded that Canadian lawyer Benjamin Bluman’s proposed activity was illegal: not just his three proposed $100 campaign contributions, but also merely paying to copy a flyer supporting President Obama’s re-election to hand out in Central Park.

/2

Then-Judge Brett Kavanaugh wrote the underlying opinion:“It is fundamental to the definition of our national political community that foreign citizens do not have a constitutional right to participate in, and thus may be excluded from, activities of democratic self-government.”/3

In this election year, all levels of government must pull together to ensure that our elections are free of foreign interference, consistent with our responsibilities under the Constitution.

Details on the Bluman case:

transition.fec.gov/law/litigation…

/4