This comes a day after he pointed out that the Trump team has promoted and empowered “extremist views,” which Obama’s own administration did not engage in during his presidency from 2009 to 2017.
Obama is the most prominent Democrat to criticize ABC and the Trump administration’s actions, but he’s far from alone.
In a statement from the House Democratic leadership team, led by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, the action was described as “Donald Trump and the Republican Party’s war on the First Amendment” which they said is “blatantly inconsistent with American values.”
“Media companies, such as the one that suspended Mr. Kimmel, have a lot to explain. The censoring of artists and cancellation of shows is an act of cowardice. It may also be part of a corrupt pay-to-play scheme. House Democrats will make sure the American people learn the truth, even if that requires the relentless unleashing of congressional subpoena power. This will not be forgotten,” they wrote.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer wrote on Bluesky, “Everybody across the political spectrum should be speaking out to stop what’s happening to Jimmy Kimmel. This is about protecting democracy.”
Similarly, Sen. Elizabeth Warren wrote on Bluesky, “Trump silencing free speech stifles our democracy. It sure looks like giant media companies are enabling his authoritarianism.”
Meanwhile, Rep. Robert Garcia of California, who is the ranking member of the House Oversight Committee, said on CNN that “late-night talk show hosts should be able to speak freely and give their opinions. The free press is under attack.”
And Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon called out Trump’s “harem” of billionaires. |
