Tennessee lawmaker seeks testimony from Netflix executives in Congress

Rep. Tim Burchett Criticizes Netflix for Children’s Content

Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) has labeled Netflix “satanic” for what he perceives as the streaming service’s targeting of children with pro-transgender themes. He’s urging Netflix executives to clarify their intentions before Congress.

Burchett recently reached out to House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.), expressing a wish to bring Netflix leaders to Capitol Hill. His concern was sparked by a viral clip from the children’s show “Dead End: Paranormal Park,” which depicted a character coming out as transgender. The show, which aired in 2022, had a brief run of just 20 episodes.

“We need to invite them to the committee to discuss what they’re trying to achieve and whether they truly comprehend the implications of their content,” Burchett stated in a conversation with FOX News Digital.

Burchett underscored that if Netflix representatives do not agree to come voluntarily, he believes it’s essential to summon them. “This is a serious issue that impacts young people’s mental health and reflects a moral decline in our society,” he asserted. “I want to engage directly and pose some critical questions to them.”

Netflix has faced pushback before: other shows, such as “Strawberry Shortcake: Berry of Big City” and “The Baby-Sitters Club,” have drawn ire from conservative parents for including transgender characters and themes, which they found inappropriate for young audiences.

Burchett pointed out that even Elon Musk has joined in the chorus of Americans advocating for cancellations of Netflix subscriptions over its content targeting children. The lawmaker shared that although he had previously enjoyed Netflix films—like Martin Scorsese’s “The Irishman”—he is now focused on the content aimed at younger viewers. He has his concerns about Netflix’s moral responsibilities.

“I hope Congress can rein in these corporations so that they do maintain some kind of ethical compass,” he remarked, describing the content as “diabolical.” Burchett also stated, “Transgender issues are primarily mental health issues, and promoting them in such a celebratory way seems harmful to affected individuals. I worry that these shows are effectively grooming young kids.”

While Netflix hasn’t commented on the inquiries, Burchett mentioned that the power Congress holds over companies like Netflix is a topic open for debate. “The First Amendment does offer protections, but there are limits, especially when it comes to the safety of children,” he argued. “I fear that the First Amendment shouldn’t shield actions that could harm minors.”

Burchett also hinted at the involvement of the FCC, considering that services like Netflix may fall under the category of telecommunications companies. He acknowledged, however, that current regulations are mostly aligned with traditional broadcast mediums rather than digital platforms.

Reflecting on broader societal trends, Burchett indicated that the pandemic may have fueled a surge in advocacy for transgender issues among children, noting that isolation increased the influence of online content. “When you cut young people off from real-life interactions, it’s troubling to see how the market for grooming young children has expanded,” he added.