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Deputy AG Blanche asserts that hate speech is ‘definitely’ protected following Bondi’s comments

Deputy AG Blanche asserts that hate speech is 'definitely' protected following Bondi's comments

Discussion on Hate Speech Following Charlie Kirk’s Murder

On Tuesday, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche addressed the ongoing debate surrounding hate speech, asserting it is “of course” protected under the First Amendment. This comment came in response to criticism directed at Attorney General Pam Bondi after her remarks about law enforcement following the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

Despite making clarifications about his position on a podcast, Bondi’s initial comments have continued to stir controversy within conservative circles. “Yes, of course, hate speech is covered in the First Amendment. Everyone is thinking about it,” Blanche noted during an interaction with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins. He pointed out a perception among Republicans that society has faced excessive restrictions in recent years.

In a recent episode of the “Katie Miller Podcast,” Bondi stated, “There’s freedom of speech, then hate speech,” and emphasized that the Department of Justice (DOJ) would take action against those who specifically target individuals through hate speech.

After receiving backlash from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression and various conservative critics, Bondi attempted to clarify her remarks through social media. She stated, “Hate speech that crosses into the realm of threats is not protected by the First Amendment. It’s a crime. We’ve seen radical leftists normalizing threats and encouraging political violence, and that has to stop.”

Kirk was tragically killed at an event in Utah last week, prompting widespread condemnation from the Trump administration, Republican lawmakers, and conservative figures who criticized those who celebrated his death online.

A 2017 Supreme Court opinion by Justice Samuel Alito clarified that the government’s role involves addressing harmful speech tied to race, gender, or other identities, but also recognized the importance of protecting the freedom to express unpopular ideas. “What I am most proud of in our free speech jurisprudence is protecting the freedom to express ideas we dislike,” Alito wrote.

Republican lawmakers, including House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), pushed back against the idea that individuals could be charged for their speech on Tuesday, underscoring its role in American tradition. Johnson, who has a background in constitutional law, stated, “It’s a conservative principle, an American principle.”

In the aftermath of Kirk’s assassination, there have been reports of individuals facing job losses and backlash over their social media remarks related to the incident.

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