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On March 15, 2025, Brown University student journalist Alex Shieh, echoing efforts by the federal government’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), emailed each of Brown’s 3,800 administrators, asking them what they did in the past week. The university investigated Shieh, alleging he had, among other things, caused Brown employees “emotional and psychological harm.” On April 7, the university officially charged Shieh with “misrepresentation” for referencing his role at The Brown Spectator, a publication independent from the university, and for “violation of operational rules.” 

FIRE wrote Brown on April 23, explaining that Brown’s misrepresentation charge was farcical, that its refusal to provide Shieh with any evidence violated its due process policies, and that its handling of the investigation suggested it was retaliating against student journalists in violation of its free speech commitment. Brown initially responded by refusing to rescind the charges, but on April 30, it dropped the misrepresentation charge while adding a new charge that The Brown Spectator had violated the university’s trademark policy. On May 2, ������ýapp�ٷ� wrote Brown a second letter disputing the university’s interpretation of trademark law. On May 14, the university found Shieh and the Spectator not responsible for all charges.