Former Vice President Mike Pence called for civility and the protection of First Amendment rights following the assassination of Charlie Kirk, emphasizing the importance of free speech and the need to resist putting America on trial. During a CNBC interview on Thursday, Pence argued that the nation should not ‘put America on trial’ in the wake of the tragedy, stressing that democracy relies on ‘heavy doses of civility.’ He reiterated that the suspect in Kirk’s murder should be brought to justice and acknowledged the importance of improving political discourse.
Despite this, Pence emphasized that the legacy of Kirk, a known advocate for free speech, should be honored by defending First Amendment rights. Pence also noted that while the First Amendment does not protect ‘entertainers’ from being fired, as seen in Disney’s decision to suspend Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show, he believes such actions are a reflection of the private marketplace’s freedom. The incident sparked controversy, with some on the right condemning Kimmel for his comments on the murder of Kirk, asserting that the perpetrator is ‘one of them.’
Furthermore, Pence referenced the 2020 Minneapolis protests, where he claimed that anti-government groups were providing tools for vandalism, a claim the Anti-Defamation League has since refuted. Overall, Pence’s comments reflect a broader narrative about the United States facing a ‘moral’ challenge rather than a ‘political’ one, as he urged the public to follow the facts and resist what he calls ‘putting America on trial.’