Larson Condemns Trump Attacks on Press Freedom Following FCC Pressure to Pull Jimmy Kimmel Off the Air

Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) released the following statement on the Trump Administration's continued attacks on free speech and a free press. ABC's sudden decision to pull Jimmy Kimmel off the air reportedly occurred in response to threatsfrom Donald Trump's Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), who has threatened to pull broadcast licenses from stations that do not cower to the Administration's demands.

Earlier this year, President Trump signed a bill into law that pulled federal funding for PBS and NPR. Yesterday, Trump's Department of Homeland Security issued a report threatening a list of lawmakers, including Rep. Larson, for speaking out against the President and his policies.

"Donald Trump has long tried to weaponize the federal government to go after his political enemies," said Larson. "He went after PBS and NPR because they would not toe his partisan line. Just yesterday, his Department of Homeland Security issued a 'report' attacking me for speaking out against his administration. Now, the President wants his top lackey at the FCC to pull broadcast licenses from media outlets who dare criticize him. This is not about Stephen Colbert or Jimmy Kimmel - this is about protecting the fundamental right to free speech we hold so dear. This president wants to eliminate all forms of public dissent - from you, from me, and from the media. He treats the Constitution as a mere suggestion that he can ignore while he rules by decree. As a project kid, I know how to stand up to a bully. I will not be silenced by his threats, nor should any media outlet."