Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson has criticised the Trump administration for using the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk to undermine First Amendment rights. In a special episode of his show titled 'America After Kirk', Carlson expressed concern that Kirk's murder could be exploited to introduce hate speech laws in the United States.
Carlson described Kirk as a 'free speech champion' and warned that if the government can dictate what people say, 'they're telling you what to think'. He argued that any attempt to restrict speech would justify civil disobedience, stating, 'there is never a more justified moment for civil disobedience than that, ever.'
The podcaster specifically attacked Attorney General Pam Bondi for her remarks that the Department of Justice would target individuals engaged in hate speech. Carlson claimed Kirk would have 'objected' to such comments, calling them the 'opposite of what he worked to build'.
Carlson's remarks came as ABC suspended late-night host Jimmy Kimmel indefinitely over comments he made about Kirk's alleged assassin. Kimmel had falsely claimed the suspect was a conservative, while investigators say the gunman was radicalised with far-left ideologies.
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brandon Carr announced he was considering an investigation into Kimmel and ABC, describing his conduct as 'some of the sickest conduct possible'.
