President Donald Trump is escalating his attacks on free speech and freedom of expression — this time demanding that the Federal Election Commission investigate musicians Bruce Springsteen, Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, and Bono.

Trump’s latest attempts to suppress dissent seem to come in response to Springsteen’s remarks at a concert in the United Kingdom where the rock star referred to the Trump administration as “corrupt, incompetent, and treasonous.”

Singers, songwriters, and artists have a long history of social protest, and we must not return to the McCarthyite era when musicians like Pete Seeger and Paul Robeson faced political persecution.

The political free speech of artists is critical to a well-functioning democracy, and it’s clearly protected by the First Amendment. Donald Trump cannot chill criticism of his administration with threats of prosecution, penalties, and fines.

As an independent agency, the FEC must follow the rule of law. Demand the FEC reject Trump’s witch hunt and politically motivated investigation by adding your name now.