Johnson argues private companies have the right to set standards, as Democrats call for FCC Chair to resign over the controversy.
House Speaker Mike Johnson defended ABC’s decision to suspend late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, stating Thursday that the network acted within its rights as a private company. The suspension, which followed Kimmel’s comments on the assassination of Charlie Kirk, has sparked a partisan debate, with Democrats launching a probe and calling for the resignation of a top FCC official.
Appearing on “Special Report with Bret Baier” on Fox News, Johnson, a former federal court litigator who specialized in free speech, said that while he is a staunch defender of fundamental rights, the First Amendment does not protect an individual’s employment in a private company.
“My background is in the courts… We have to jealously guard that, you know,” Johnson told Baier. “And I think we are. ABC is a private company. You’ve heard a lot of consternation about private companies firing or reprimanding employees for going online and glorifying the tragic death of a young father and young husband, and it’s detestable.”
Johnson added that private employers can and should enforce standards for their brand. “In the private employer space, you have all the right in the world to have standards for your company, standards for your broadcast brand,” he said. “And, you know, they get to make that decision. And I don’t think that’s a violation of the First Amendment. You don’t have a First Amendment right to stay employed if you’re going to engage in that kind of crazy action online, and, in many cases, it really is inciting further violence. It’s a serious problem.”
The suspension of Kimmel’s show on Wednesday came after the Nexstar Media Group preempted the program across its affiliates in response to the comments.
The move has drawn sharp criticism from top congressional Democrats, who are accusing President Donald Trump and his appointees of weaponizing the federal government against political opponents.
House Oversight ranking member Robert Garcia has initiated a probe into the indefinite suspension of Kimmel’s show. Democrats have widely condemned the cancellation, though some, like Democratic Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman, have urged the party to focus on more pressing issues.
Fetterman criticized his colleagues for amplifying outrage over the suspension, arguing that their focus should be on preventing a government shutdown and the “chaos” it would unleash nationwide.
READ: Sinclair’s ABC Stations To Air Charlie Kirk Special In ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ Timeslot
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