Sen. James Lankford, a U.S. Senator from Oklahoma, used his social media account on September 14, 2025, to emphasize the importance of civil discourse and to draw a distinction between free speech and violent actions.
In his first post at 12:59 UTC, Lankford invited viewers to tune in for an upcoming television appearance, stating: “Tune in at 9amET to @CNNSOTU as I talk about the importance of dialogue in America.”
Later that day at 14:29 UTC, he referenced another media engagement focused on bipartisan cooperation: “Tune in to @FacetheNation as @ChrisCoons and I have a conversation about civility across the aisle.”
At 14:55 UTC, Lankford addressed issues surrounding constitutional rights and public safety by posting: “We have freedom of speech in America. We do not have freedom to plan, prepare, and carry out an attack against other Americans—no matter what your ideology.”
Lankford has been recognized for advocating bipartisan dialogue and maintaining civil discourse within Congress. His comments come amid ongoing national discussions about balancing First Amendment protections with concerns over domestic security threats.
