Sunday, during an appearance on Fox News Channel's "Sunday Morning Futures," U.S. Sen. Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) called for those who were "celebrating" Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk's assassination last week to be fired.
Britt, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, pledged her support for ending taxpayer funding for universities that will not commit to protecting free speech.
"I want to get your take on accountability," host Maria Bartiromo said. "Why is it that we once again fail to see accountability for people spewing hate? Right now, there is a list on X being compiled about people who are hating on Charlie Kirk, about people who are blaming conservatives for this horrific week and murder. You are on Appropriations. Will you change the fact that taxpayers are sending money to universities who will not commit to free speech, like Clemson?"
Britt replied, "That's right. Look, Maria, first, my heart breaks for Erika, for Charlie and Erika's two beautiful children, and for our entire nation. Look, there is a dark cloud that came over the United States of America The day that Charlie was assassinated. Now, when Erika stood up and spoke, there was a bit of light that came through. I think she gave everyone of us hope and vision and encouragement that evil did not win, that we must speak truth, that we must have courage, as Charlie always said, and that the movement must go on. And I think it will be more powerful now than ever. And when you talk about consequences, when you talk about how we got here, I am so sick of Democrat mayors saying, no, no, no, we don't want your help. You want people in your city to die? I'm confused. You should take heed that President Trump is willing to be a partner to make sure that lives in your communities are safe, that people can live their American dream within your community, within your city. We should be working together. This is not about politics. The safety of our citizens should come first."
"And I commend Memphis and Tennessee for standing alongside President Trump and putting their citizens first," she continued. "And then when you talk about what's happening online, Maria, it is absolutely disgusting. The rhetoric that led us to this moment, calling President Trump a fascist, calling him Hitler, you had news organizations and mainstream media celebrating that, allowing those things to take place and be said on their networks. That is dangerous. When you look at that, when you look at where we are, when you look at how we got here, now people that are celebrating Charlie's murder, celebrating a political assassination, that should never happen in the United States of America. And, Maria, we must do more. We must stand firm. And there must be consequences with regards to people spewing that type of hate and celebration in the face of this."
"And I believe that there will be," Britt added. "And I certainly plan to hold them accountable. So, if you are out there and you are celebrating the political assassination of a man who is exercising his free speech, a very foundational element, a cornerstone of who we are as the United States of America, you should be held accountable. You should be fired. And that is the beginning and the end of it, full stop."
Jeff Poor is the editor-in-chief of 1819 News and host of "The Jeff Poor Show," heard Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-noon on Mobile's FM Talk 106.5. To connect or comment, email [email protected] or follow him on Twitter @jeff_poor.
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