but apparently everyone has missed one little detail : the law says that no employer can order employees to refrain from discussing any specific subject at all
They certainly can on an internal forum. They can have a few topics created like many online forums do, not include forums for politics and religion, and not allow off topic conversations. If they apply "off topic" equally in a forum about say 'local child care providers' then bringing up either Trump or iPhones in that forum would be equally out of bounds.
They can't stop employees from discussing politics at the water cooler, but they don't have provide a forum for it, any more than they have to provide use of the company auditorium for employees who want to hold a pro or anti Trump rally.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
