New York: Palm Bay City Councilman Chandler Langevin has received widespread criticism after he made comments calling for mass deportations of Indian people. Now, he’s filed a lawsuit against the city he represents, claiming his First Amendment rights are being violated.
A few weeks ago, Langevin made several anti-Indian/Indian American comments on Twitter. According to media reports he wrote things like, “Deport every Indian immediately,” and “There’s not a single Indian that cares about the United States.”
His comments have been condemned by people in Palm Bay City and beyond. U.S. Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) recently issued a statement denouncing Langevin’s comments.
“It’s unacceptable—and dangerous—that in 2025 we’re hearing elected officials call for the mass removal of Indian Americans. This rhetoric echoes the cruelty of Donald Trump’s mass ICE raids and fuels a climate of fear that harms families across our nation,” Rep. Krishnamoorthi said.
The Palm Bay City Council also voted to censure Langevin in a 3-2 decision. The censure serves as a strong condemnation of Langevin’s remarks.
According to FOX 35, the censure also places restrictions on Langevin’s actions in a city council meeting. He can only place items on the agenda if he gets consensus from the council beforehand. He also cannot speak during the committee and council reports unless it is to get consensus for agenda items.
Langevin has filed a lawsuit that, according to Space Coast Daily, claims the city violated his right to free speech by disciplining him for comments he made as an elected official.
“This is clearly retaliatory,” Langevin’s lawyer Anthony Sabatini told Space Coast Daily, adding that the city “punished a sitting elected official simply for expressing his opinions.”
Langevin believes the restrictions go against the constitution.
“You can censure me, but don’t break the constitution,” said Councilman Langevin, according to FOX 35.
