House Votes to Table Resolution Censuring Ilhan Omar Over Charlie Kirk Comments
ABC’s temporary suspension of Jimmy Kimmel has caused a political controversy, with Democrats accusing the Trump administration of suppressing free expression. Kimmel’s comments on conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s death sparked outrage and calls for retribution.
After his comments on Kirk’s murder forced some ABC-affiliated stations to cancel the show, ABC suspended Kimmel’s late-night show indefinitely on Wednesday. In response to Kimmel’s suspension, House Oversight Committee ranking member Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) announced an investigation into the Trump administration, ABC, and Sinclair Broadcasting.
Separately, Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) sought to subpoena FCC Chair Brendan Carr over Kimmel’s suspension. “This administration has launched the largest First Amendment and free speech attack in modern history. Khanna testified in the House. “Brendan Carr pressured ABC to cancel Jimmy Kimmel and Disney cancels Jimmy Kimmel.”
Kimmel seems to purposely mislead the public by indicating that Kirk’s killer was a right-wing Trump supporter, Carr added. Early Wednesday, Carr told conservative podcast host Benny Johnson that Kimmel’s statements made a “strong case” for legal action.
After Nexstar Communications Group announced it will indefinitely preempt Kimmel on its ABC-affiliated stations on Wednesday, ABC suspended the show. President of Nexstar’s broadcasting division Andrew Alford termed Kimmel’s statements “offensive and insensitive” in a statement.
Later that day, Sinclair Broadcast Group asked Kimmel to apologize to Kirk’s family and donate to Turning Point USA, Kirk’s conservative youth group.
Many Democratic senators have criticized the decision to yank Kimmel off the air, alleging that Carr’s threats to ABC earlier that day violated his free speech.
The uproar stems from Kimmel’s Monday statements that Kirk’s alleged killer, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, may have been a MAGA Republican.
“Now, questions are swirling over whether pressure from the FCC led to Kimmel’s suspension,” Garcia said. “Every American must defend the First Amendment. We shall speak out against corrupt plans and dangers to our liberty. Complicit parties must answer to us.”
Disney and Nexstar face FCC business. ESPN’s NFL Network acquisition requires regulatory approval, while Nexstar’s $6.2 billion purchase of broadcast rival Tegna need Trump government permission.
Trump, who has incorrectly claimed the show has been canceled, would likely lash out at both firms if Kimmel is reinstated.
Disney may have set a precedent for media businesses not fighting the administration. The business settled Trump’s ABC News lawsuit in December by paying $15 million to his presidential library. CBS News parent Paramount paid $16 million to settle Trump’s “60 Minutes” lawsuit.
Sources
Press Release: House Votes to Table Nancy Mace’s Censure Resolution Against Ilhan Omar
House Democrats successful in tabling Mace’s resolution to censure Omar
SCOOP: Ilhan Omar hit with House Ethics complaint over response to Charlie Kirk assassination
Ilhan Omar censure over her remarks on Charlie Kirk
