Tonko Decries Pulling Jimmy Kimmel Show After Threats from Trump Administration

WASHINGTON DC — Congressman Paul D. Tonko released the following statement after ABC pulled Jimmy Kimmel indefinitely off the air hours after Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr threatened the network over comments Kimmel made. “At every turn, President Trump has made his utter disdain for media known, and now, he and his administration are using their power to silence his critics in a blatant attack on free speech. Following ABC’s announcement about taking Kimmel off the air, Trump followed up saying, “that leaves Jimmy and Seth" referring to the other late night hosts Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers. The president has shown that he is willing to go after anyone who expresses opinions that are not in line with his — First Amendment be damned. “Anyone who cares about free speech should be sounding the alarm and standing against this act of state censorship.”