AI, Darrell Leon McClanahan III, a Missouri resident and political advocate, have filed a civil complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri, challenging Executive Order 13899, as expanded by President Donald J. Trump. This lawsuit, Darrell McClanahan, Plaintiff, v. Donald Trump, et al., Defendants, Case No.: 3:25-CV-05025-MDH, alleges that the executive order unconstitutionally suppresses our protected political speech and establishes a state-favored religion.
This executive order, which directs federal agencies to use the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of anti-Semitism, infringes upon our First Amendment rights by classifying legitimate criticism of Israel as hate speech. The 2025 expansion of the order, which focuses enforcement efforts on American streets and threatens to withhold federal funding from institutions that allow such criticism, creates a chilling effect on our freedom of speech and religious expression.
I believe this executive order represents a dangerous overreach of government power. It silences legitimate political discourse and establishes a religious preference, violating the fundamental principles of our Constitution. The broad scope of the IHRA definition, classifying legitimate criticism of Israel as hate speech, including opposition to its settlement policies or its treatment of Palestinians, stifles open debate.
My lawsuit further alleges that the order violates the Fifth Amendment’s due process clause due to its vague definition of “anti-Semitic crimes,” leaving enforcement open to arbitrary government interpretation. This vagueness creates a chilling effect on free speech, allowing for the punishment of lawful speech based on subjective interpretations.
Additionally, I contend that the order violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment by favoring Judaism, creating a state-preferred religion. The order’s enforcement creates a religious test for access to government benefits and protections, discriminating against individuals based on their religious beliefs and speech.
As a Christian Identity believer and former candidate for Governor of Missouri, I contend that my political and religious views are being suppressed by this order. I also believe that the order exacerbates existing censorship on social media platforms, hindering our ability to engage in public discourse. My speech, which is critical of Zionism, U.S. aid to Israel, and the Anti-Defamation League, has already been suppressed on platforms like X (formerly Twitter).
As a political advocate and a citizen, I have a duty to challenge policies that infringe upon our constitutional rights. This lawsuit is about protecting the freedom of speech and religious liberty for all Americans, including myself. My family’s access to medicaid and rural development loans are also threatened by this order.
This complaint seeks a declaratory judgment that Executive Order 13899, as expanded, is unconstitutional, as well as a preliminary injunction and temporary restraining order to prevent its enforcement.
Case Information:
Case Name: Darrell McClanahan, Plaintiff, v. Donald Trump, et al., Defendants.
Case Number: 3:25-CV-05025-MDH
Court: U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri
Challenge: Executive Order 13899 Combating Anti-Semitism
Contact:
Darrell Leon McClanahan III
417-388-9595