Democrats on Capitol Hill are expressing strong outrage after ABC suspended Jimmy Kimmel for remarks related to the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. They accuse Republicans of escalating censorship and disrespecting free speech.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Kerr is drawing particular ire from Democrats.
“This represents the most significant attack on the First Amendment since the Alien and Sedition Acts,” lamented Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.). “It’s outright censorship.”
He added that the administration’s discontent with certain statements seems to be driving efforts to intimidate networks, potentially using presidential power to influence popular shows. This poses significant risks, he warned.
Other Democrats noted that Kimmel’s situation reflects a broader “cancellation culture,” pointing to numerous complaints from Republicans about similar issues in recent years.
“I don’t know Charlie Kirk personally, but I view him as a free speech advocate, even if his views aren’t popular,” stated Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), indicating his anger over the whole affair.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has called for Kerr’s resignation or removal, describing him as “one of the greatest threats to free expression we’ve seen.”
“What Brendan Kerr is doing is cruel. The way he has treated Jimmy Kimmel seems like bullying, using threats to influence a network,” Schumer posted on social media.
Democratic leaders in the House condemned Kerr as well, saying he has abused his power and is a disgrace to his position through his intimidation of ABC regarding Kimmel.
Alongside House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), they pointed fingers at President Trump, claiming the Republicans’ actions against Trump and the First Amendment collide with core American values. “This will not be forgotten,” they asserted.
Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) promised to investigate the circumstances, looking into Sinclair, which owns ABC and several local stations, amidst what he described as an ongoing effort against dissenting opinions.
Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) proposed a subpoena for Kerr to testify before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, labeling the situation as “one of the most significant threats to free speech in recent history.” The Republicans defeated the motion along party lines.
Contact was made with the FCC for comments, but meanwhile, on Fox News’s “Hannity,” Carr mentioned that Kimmel and other left-leaning comedians are facing repercussions due to what he termed a “narrow audience.”
“There’s more to be done,” he mentioned to host Sean Hannity. “I’m glad to see American broadcasters standing firm for their communities.”
Kimmel, known for his long-standing criticism of Trump and Republicans, faced suspension after discussing Kirk’s assassination two nights prior, saying the “MAGA gang” was trying to redefine the actions of the one who killed Kirk, and expressing that the nation had hit a new low.
In response, officials from the administration targeted Kimmel’s program. Kerr warned ABC and its affiliates that they might face FCC repercussions if they didn’t take measures regarding Kimmel.
“These companies can choose to act against Kimmel, or they might face further actions beyond the FCC,” Carr told commentator Benny Johnson on a podcast.
Nexstar Media Group, which owns several local stations, announced it would preempt “Jimmy Kimmel Live” following the comments. ABC quickly filed a lawsuit over this suspension.
In their statement, Nexstar voiced strong disapproval of Kimmel’s remarks about Kirk’s murder, arguing that airing the show would not align with community sentiments during such a sensitive time.
Republicans on Capitol Hill defended the move, asserting that ABC’s decision was ultimately a business one. “They have the right to make decisions based on public reception,” said Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.). “Kimmel offends a significant portion of America—do they want to keep dealing with this?”
The White House also rebuffed suggestions that Kimmel’s suspension infringed on free speech, labeling his comments as contemptible. The White House’s Rapid Response Team shared on social media that ABC was “doing viewers a favor. Jimmy is a sick freak!”
Meanwhile, Trump added fuel to the fire by praising Kimmel’s suspension and encouraging NBC to take similar actions against Jimmy Fallon and Seth Myers. He also suggested that networks with negative coverage should face repercussions, stating, “I’ve heard that the coverage is 97% against me. They should lose their licenses.”
He concluded that the decision ultimately lies with Kerr, whom he described as a “Patriot” and a “tough guy.”
