Answer:
Section 2 of the Sedition Act, passed in 1798, made it a crime to "write, print, utter or publish . . . any false, scandalous and malicious writing or writings against the government of the United States, or either House of the Congress of the United States, or the President of the United States."
In light of the First Amendment to the US Constitution, which protects freedom of speech and the press, it is debatable whether Section 2 of the Sedition Act is legal or illegal. The First Amendment is a cornerstone of American democracy and protects the rights of individuals to express their opinions and criticize the government without fear of censorship or retaliation.
Section 2 of the Sedition Act appears to contradict the First Amendment by limiting freedom of speech and the press, and could be seen as an attempt by the government to suppress dissent and criticism of its policies. However, it is important to note that the Sedition Act was passed during a time of political turmoil and fear of foreign influence, and some argued that it was necessary to protect the government and the country from internal subversion and external threats.
Ultimately, whether Section 2 of the Sedition Act is legal or illegal is a matter of interpretation and context. Some may argue that it was a necessary measure to protect the government and the country during a time of crisis, while others may see it as a violation of the fundamental principles of free speech and the press enshrined in the First Amendment.