I believe it was Franklin who said "The man who sacrifices liberty for security will get neither" (paraphrasing) ... however, it's not a common sentiment among law-enforcement officials who prefer quiet over creativity. You are right that it ought not be considered by sane citizens in a free country, but what do you tell the appointed officials that try so desperately to make it so?

Nothing. If they try to pressure it's inclusion we remove it, if they sneak it in we'll find it. That's the beauty of free software.

Hardware is not so easily audited

A design choice, not a necessity.

Parent is concerned what will happen in the world where we actually exist.

Merely outlining the main antagonistic forces to actual free speech -- I'm more concerned with the weird oligarchic relationship between tech giants and law enforcement that cookie-cuts the electoral process out of the equation ... is that what you were getting at?