Murphy says 'this is one of the most dangerous moments America has ever faced'
Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy (D) said ‘this is one of the most dangerous moments America has ever faced,’ on Sunday.
“This is one of the most dangerous moments America has ever faced,” Murphy told host Jon Karl on ABC’s “This Week.” “We are quickly turning into a banana republic. The president of the United States is now employing the full power of the federal government, the FCC, the Department of Justice, in order to punish, lock up, take down off the air all of his political enemies.”
Murphy’s comments come after President Trump called on Attorney General Pam Bondi to prosecute his political enemies, such as former FBI director James Comey, Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and New York Attorney General Letitia James (D).
“We can’t delay any longer, it’s killing our reputation and credibility,” Trump said on Truth Social Saturday.
The Connecticut Democrat’s concerns also come in the wake of ABC and Disney indefinitely suspending late-night comedian Jimmy Kimmel on Wednesday. During Monday’s broadcast of Jimmy Kimmel Live, Kimmel criticized conservatives for attempting to “score political points” off the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk and said Trump was mourning the conservative activist “the way a 4-year-old mourns a goldfish.”
Prior to Kimmel’s suspension, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Brendan Carr called on broadcasters, “to step up and say this garbage to the extent that that’s what comes down the pipe in the future isn’t something that we think serves the needs of our local communities,” during an appearance on conservative commentator Benny Johnson’s podcast on Wednesday.
That was followed by Nexstar Media Group, the parent company of The Hill, announcing its local affiliates would preempt broadcasts of Kimmel’s show. Shortly after, ABC and Disney decided to suspend the comedian indefinitely.
“I think what Brendan Carr has done at the FCC is illegal and unconstitutional, and if it’s contested in court, I think he will lose,” Murphy added.
On Thursday, Murphy introduced the No Political Enemies Act, which he is co-sponsored alongside nine other Senate and House Democrats. The act, per a press release, would protect individuals and groups -- including non-profits, faith groups, media outlets and educational institutions -- “from politically motivated harassment and prosecution by the federal government,” according to press release.
“The legislation would also prohibit the use of federal funds for any investigations or regulatory action that would suppress protected speech,” the release added.
Murphy said that the bill “makes it easier” for individuals and organizations to raise First Amendment violations in court and called protesting the government the most “fundamental right” for Americans.
Some Americans, from university employees to airline pilots, have been fired for comments they have made on social media for seemingly making light of Kirk’s murder. Vice President Vance even encouraged Americans to report those doing so to their employers on Monday.
“I wish this legislation weren’t necessary, but I think we’re [going to] need some exceptional new tools at an exceptional moment,” Murphy noted.