In their statement, Liberty officials pushed back against allegations of censorship and discrimination, saying the honor code “is fully consistent with the proper role of a Christian institution” and the First Amendment prohibits the federal government from intervening in speech decisions made by a private institution.

In the statement, Falwell notes the alleged incidents of censorship occurred long before Trump’s executive order but also argues the episodes would have not violated the order had it been in effect.

“The ‘censorship’ wrongly claimed by the congressmen was simply Liberty University exercising its editorial control over the Liberty Champion, the newspaper it owns, publishes and pays the staff. Even though most of that staff consists of student employees, it is not and has never been a ‘student newspaper,’” Falwell said.

“It is indeed a shame that two federal legislators can be so out of touch with the basic civics concerning the laws about which they wrote the secretary,” Falwell added. “Even so, Liberty University will respond to any inquiry of the Department of Education to set the record straight.”

Richard Chumney covers breaking news and public safety for The News & Advance. Reach him at (434) 385-5547.

Richard Chumney covers breaking news and public safety for The News & Advance. Reach him at (434) 385-5547.

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