A February video clip of U.S. President JD Vance promising a more transparent presidential administration devoid of free speech repercussions has resurfaced in the aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s killing, ABC’s suspension of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel and the Trump administration’s guidance to clamp down on “hate speech.”
Newsweek reached out to the White House via email for comment.
Why It Matters
Conversations around free speech and its limits under the U.S. Constitution have accelerated within the past week, following the shooting death of conservative commentator Kirk, 31, and ABC’s suspension of talk-show host Kimmel following comments he made about Kirk. Kimmel’s ousting is being tied to business interests, including a delicate merger approval process involving the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and ABC affiliate Nexstar.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has latched onto the issue, saying threats of violence are federal crimes under the Constitution, and vowed to crack down on so-called “hate speech.” Republicans have cited Kirk’s own First Amendment stance to allow speech, even so-called hate speech, to be permitted. Prominent conservative commentator Tucker Carlson questioned the Trump administration’s motives in an episode of his show that aired Wednesday in Kirk’s memory.
What To Know
Vance, the former senator from Ohio, promised during remarks on February 14 at the Munich Security Conference that the current rendition of the Trump administration would be more pro-free speech than the previous Biden administration.
“Our own government encouraged private companies to silence people who dared to utter what turned out to be an obvious truth,” Vance said. “So, I come here today not just with an observation but with an offer. And just as the Biden administration seemed desperate to silence people for speaking their minds, so the Trump administration will do precisely the opposite; and I hope that we can work together on that.
“In Washington, there is a new sheriff in town; and under Donald Trump’s leadership, we may disagree with your views, but we will fight to defend your right to offer it in the public square, agree or disagree.”
Vance also said in Munich that he feared free speech in Great Britain and across Europe “is in retreat,” adding that allowing citizens to speak freely would make them “stronger.”
The vice president’s words have been put under a microscope considering the past week, including repercussions faced by some Americans who took to social media to voice opinions on Kirk that others found distasteful.
Some conservatives, including lawmakers in Washington, have encouraged employers to terminate employees expressing such rhetoric—including Vance himself, who on September 15 said that anyone celebrating Kirk’s death should be “called out” and that their employers should be notified.
Former President Barack Obama commented on the public and legislative responses to Kirk’s killing, saying Thursday on X: “After years of complaining about cancel culture, the current administration has taken it to a new and dangerous level by routinely threatening regulatory action against media companies unless they muzzle or fire reporters and commentators it doesn’t like.”
What People Are Saying
Jay Oliver, Long Island News Radio and political commentator, told Newsweek: “If anyone other than Donald Trump was sitting in the White House you wouldn’t have all this backlash regarding an attack on ‘free speech,’ especially when centered around conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Those who oppose Trump in general will signal a violation of freedom of speech. Let’s not forget the public discourse between Tucker [Carlson] as well as the likes of the Jimmy Kimmel’s of the world. Forget the fact if your ratings are in the toilet and networks lose $50 million a year as far as grounds not to terminate you.”
Thomas Chatterton Williams, journalist for The Atlantic, on X: “JD Vance goes to Munich and the United Kingdom to lecture Europeans on free speech and then addresses Americans asking them to inform on each other. The hypocrisy is the point.”
Nico Perrino, executive vice president of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), on X: “Can JD Vance re-deliver his Munich Security Conference speech, but in Washington, DC, and addressed to himself and his administration?”
What Happens Next
The conversation surrounding Kirk’s killing, political violence and the broadness of free speech remains ongoing as lawmakers, government officials, the media and the general public continue to discuss last week’s events and the future effects.