Former Vice President Kamala Harris has openly condemned the current administration’s crackdown on free expression following the indefinite suspension of Jimmy Kimmel from ABC, triggered by his remarks regarding the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
Without naming Kimmel directly, Harris took to X to denounce what she described as a blatant misuse of authority. She stated, “This government is weaponizing fear to intimidate dissenters and suppress voices that challenge them. Media outlets, spanning from TV networks to print journalism, are yielding to these pressures.”
She emphasized the urgency of resistance, adding, “Remaining silent or indifferent in the face of this direct attack on free speech is not an option. The public deserves a higher standard.”
Harris’s remarks echo a growing chorus of political figures and entertainers alarmed by the implications of ABC’s decision to suspend Jimmy Kimmel Live! indefinitely, a move widely seen as influenced by pressure from the administration.
California Governor Gavin Newsom weighed in, asserting that the Republican Party “rejects the principles of free speech,” and warned, “This is no accident. It’s a coordinated effort, and it poses a serious threat… They are actively censoring voices in real time.”
Former President Barack Obama also expressed concern on X, stating, “After years of railing against cancel culture, this administration has escalated the issue by regularly threatening regulatory measures against media companies unless they silence or dismiss journalists and commentators they disfavor.”
ABC confirmed on Wednesday that Jimmy Kimmel’s show would be removed from its lineup shortly after Nexstar, the largest owner of local TV stations in the U.S., dropped the late-night program from its affiliates.
In his monologue on Monday, Kimmel criticized right-wing factions for exploiting the tragic killing of Charlie Kirk for political gain. “We reached a new low this weekend with the MAGA crowd desperately trying to paint the individual who murdered Charlie Kirk as one of their own, all while attempting to leverage the tragedy for political advantage,” Kimmel remarked.
Following this, Brendan Carr, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission under President Donald Trump, publicly urged broadcasters holding licenses to cease airing Kimmel’s show. Speaking with conservative podcaster Benny Johnson, Carr warned, “We can handle this cooperatively or through enforcement. These companies need to adjust their behavior and take action regarding Kimmel, or the FCC will have to intervene further.”
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