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Comment by saubeidl | Hacker News Reader

I'm not sure that's true, but even if it is - isn't all of that covered by the first amendment?

It is. That’s why he wasn’t arrested, just questioned. But it also raises red flags for certain three letter agencies and for a good reason.

What is the good reason?

Since Hamas has been designated as a terrorist organization by the federal government, As a terrorist organization, Americans are not allowed to provide material support to the group.

The federal government would have good reasons to protect national security to question people that threaten our national security.

You really think Hasan is providing material support to Hamas?

I don't know. Maybe someone should question him to find out?

TFA says he was questioned about his allegiance to Trump. Is that the good reason you were talking about?

Edit: to be clear, I think Hasan is a fool, but detaining him still smells like a political purity test

It might be weird or not depending on how you frame it. Asking “what do you think about the current president of the country you’re entering” might be a pretty benign question for a border officer to ask. Or it might not, depending on the exact wording and context. Hard to judge without seeing the actual thing.

The current context, in case you forgot, was that the trump admin is making direct threats against private citizens who engage in constitutionally protected activities, like speaking and like gathering in a protest. The context is that "getting detained" is half a step away from "getting disappeared".

I get that you don't think this is a problem. Just remember this when you are looking for someone that you can't find anymore.

And detaining people at the border is covered by the laws government CBP.

It's true. The first amendment gives him the freedom to express his beliefs, but it should be obvious that who endorses terrorism and genocide is going to be suspicious/monitored in case they are further radicalised

Which side is endorsing a genocide?

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