The Bipartisan Betrayal of Free Speech: An “Independent Thinkers” Conversation with Katie Herzog

During his successful 2024 president campaign, President Trump called out Democrats for patrolling the language Americans use and stifling dissent. Then he took office and did likewise, but from a different ideological orientation. Are there any true free-speech warriors left in either of America's two major political parties? Why this itch to restrict expression, and how do we correct it? Please join Frank Bruni for a spirited conversation - part of his "Independent Thinkers" series - with Katie Herzog, who has boldly examined and excoriated censorship on both sides of the political divide. Katie Herzog is an independent journalist, critic and podcaster. She was for many years a staff writer for the Seattle alternative weekly "The Stranger", and she now hosts the popular podcast "Blocked and Reported". She has also written extensively for "The Free Press". In 2025, her first book, "Drink Your Way Sober: The Science-Based Method to Break Free from Alcohol", was published. Frank Bruni teaches at Duke's Sanford School of Public Policy as part of the DeWitt Wallace Center for Media and Democracy. He's also a longtime writer for "The New York Times" and the author of five bestselling books, including, most recently, "The Age of Grievance", about the sources of - and remedies for - America's political divisions. Frank's "Independent Thinkers" conversations with public figures who defy reductive political labels are part of the Provost's Initiative on Pluralism, Free Inquiry and Belonging. Public parking is available at the Bryan Center Parking Deck, upper level, located at 136 Science Drive, Durham, NC 27710. Please contact us for parking accommodations.