(Fact Check) Tucker Carlson could Face Sanctions from the U.S. for his Interview with Putin

Claim by Laura Loomer:

America is not a free country when a journalist could face sanctions for doing journalism.

Reasoning:

The Newsweek article Loomer links address the situation where Tucker Carlson, a conservative pundit, may face sanctions from the European Union (EU), not the United States, due to his interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Guy Verhofstadt, a member of the European Parliament, has suggested the possibility of imposing a travel ban on Carlson for being a “mouthpiece” of Putin, who is considered a war criminal by the EU. The potential sanctions are related to EU policies against individuals assisting war criminals, not actions by the United States against journalists. The process for sanctioning individuals involves review by the EU’s External Action Service and approval by the European Council, distinct from any measures the United States might take concerning press freedom.

MBFC Rating?

FALSE. Laura Loomer’s claim misrepresents the Newsweek article by suggesting that the United States is imposing sanctions on Tucker Carlson for his journalistic activities. The potential sanctions discussed are from the European Union. They are based on Carlson’s interview with an EU adversary, not a general stance against journalism by the United States. Therefore, the claim that America is imposing sanctions and not a free country based on this scenario is false.

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