Senators Clash Over Trump Administration Speech Push
Senate Republicans and Democrats sparred after recent White House and FCC statements suggesting tougher action against critics and certain speech, with lawmakers warning the rhetoric risks government overreach into broadcasting licenses and free expression. The debate was prompted by ABC's brief sidelining of Jimmy Kimmel over comments about the assassination of Charlie Kirk and by public comments from FCC Chair Brendan Carr and the White House that some senators called chilling or authoritarian.
Politics
Government/Regulatory
📰 Sources (1)
Senate lawmakers clash over Trump administration’s approach to speech, censorship
New information:
- Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) warned the current approach could become 'the floor for how government overreaches.'
- FCC Chair Brendan Carr publicly said, 'we can do this the easy way or the hard way,' a line senators cited in hearings and media coverage.
- Jimmy Kimmel was briefly sidelined by ABC over his monologue about Charlie Kirk, then reinstated on Monday, sparking Capitol Hill reaction.