Another president who took on ‘fake news’

Virtually every president has at times expressed anger and frustration with the press. But rarely have they seriously threatened to use the power of government—its power to license broadcasters, or to prosecute criminal offenders—to retaliate for media coverage. (Although it should be noted that despite his threats, President Trump has actually taken little definitive action against the media.)

But there was one president who took such action, criminally prosecuting his critics in the media. This important yet largely forgotten episode in American history offers lessons for the current president and his threats against the press.