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EU fast-tracks Russian gas phase-out in new sanctions package

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Simeon
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BRUSSELS (BN24) — The European Union on Friday proposed a new sanctions package aimed at fast-tracking the phase-out of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports by January 2027, a full year ahead of the previously set deadline. This move is part of ongoing efforts to weaken Russia’s war economy and reduce its financial support for the invasion of Ukraine.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stressed that cutting off Russian fossil fuel revenue is essential for destabilizing Moscow’s war efforts. “Revenues from fossil fuels sustain Russia’s war economy. We want to cut these revenues. So we are banning imports of Russian LNG into European markets,” von der Leyen said. “It is time to turn off the tap.”

The proposed LNG ban comes amid mounting U.S. pressure on Europe to sever fossil fuel imports from Russia. U.S. President Donald Trump has long urged European countries to take stronger action against Russian energy exports, including oil, while calling for more robust sanctions on Russia. Trump has also said he would support further sanctions if European nations reduce their reliance on Russian energy and impose additional tariffs on China.

The European Union has already implemented several sanctions since Russia invaded Ukraine, including banning most Russian oil imports, which have decreased by more than 90% since early 2021. This new LNG phase-out proposal continues that trend, signaling the EU’s commitment to reducing energy ties with Moscow.

While the EU initially pledged to end LNG imports by 2028, the new sanctions aim to advance that target by one year, to eliminate all Russian LNG imports by January 2027. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas emphasized this accelerated timeline, stating, “We aim to speed up the phase-out of Russian liquefied natural gas by 1 January 2027.” She added that this measure would ensure that Russia “pays the price” for continuing its military aggression.

Despite efforts to reduce dependence, Russia still supplies a significant share of Europe’s energy needs. In 2024, Russian gas accounted for 19% of the EU’s total supply, down from 45% before the war. This decline has been partially offset by a surge in LNG imports, mostly arriving via sea shipments. The EU received 32 billion cubic meters of Russian gas through the TurkStream pipeline and 20 billion cubic meters via LNG in the past year.

The United States has emerged as the EU’s largest supplier of LNG, providing nearly 45% of all LNG imports. This shift is part of Europe’s broader strategy to diversify energy sources and reduce reliance on Russian fossil fuels.

As the EU accelerates the phase-out of Russian energy imports, its strategy aligns with a broader geopolitical effort to weaken Russia’s ability to fund its military actions. The success of this transition will depend on how quickly the EU can secure alternative energy sources while managing the economic impacts of the phase-out.

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2 ambulance trust workers arrested over deaths of 6 people in Wiltshire

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Simeon
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WILTSHIRE, England (BN24) Two ambulance workers have been arrested in connection with the deaths of six people in Wiltshire, police confirmed Thursday. The investigation, launched by Wiltshire Police in 2023, has led to charges related to gross negligence manslaughter and care worker neglect.

A man in his 30s was initially arrested in 2023 on suspicion of six counts of gross negligence manslaughter and four counts of ill-treatment or wilful neglect by a care worker. In March of this year, a 59-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter. Both individuals have since been released on bail pending further investigation.

Detective Chief Inspector Phil Walker of Wiltshire Police said the focus of the inquiry remains on supporting the families and loved ones of the deceased. “We would ask the media to respect their privacy at this time,” Walker added in a statement.

In response to the arrests, a spokesperson for the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust issued a statement saying that an internal investigation was launched immediately after concerns were raised. The Trust referred the matter to the police, and two members of staff were suspended. “The suspension meant that the two individuals were relieved of all duties, including patient treatment,” the spokesperson said.

The Trust also reassured the public that the incident was an isolated case, stressing that there is no ongoing risk to patients. “Please continue to call 999 in a life-threatening emergency,” the statement added.

One of the staff members who had been suspended is no longer employed by the Trust, according to the spokesperson. Due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, no further comments will be made at this time.

Slug: ambulance-workers-arrested-wiltshire-deaths

Judge throws out Trump’s $15 billion lawsuit against New York Times, citing improper content

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Emmanuel
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TAMPA, Fla. (BN24) — A federal judge Friday dismissed President Donald Trump’s $15 billion defamation lawsuit against the New York Times, characterizing the legal filing as a “decidedly improper and impermissible” effort to attack his adversaries rather than present a legitimate legal claim.

U.S. District Judge Steven Merryday ruled that Trump’s complaint against the Times, four reporters and publisher Penguin Random House violated federal civil procedure rules by failing to provide a short and plain statement explaining why Trump should prevail in the case. The Tampa-based judge criticized the 85-page complaint as too long and burdensome for defendants to reasonably address.

Merryday, an appointee of Republican former President George H.W. Bush, faulted Trump for packing the complaint with unnecessary attacks against critics, statements praising his own successes and “singular brilliance,” and even a defense of his late father Fred Trump.

“A complaint is not a public forum for vituperation and invective, not a protected platform to rage against an adversary,” the judge wrote in his ruling. “A complaint is not a megaphone for public relations or a podium for a passionate oration at a political rally.”

The judge gave Trump 28 days to file an amended complaint “in a professional and dignified manner” of no more than 40 pages, providing an opportunity to correct the procedural deficiencies while maintaining the underlying legal claims.

A spokesman for Trump’s legal team responded that the president would continue pursuing the case while following the judge’s procedural directions. “President Trump will continue to hold the Fake News accountable through this powerhouse lawsuit against the New York Times, its reporters, and Penguin Random House, in accordance with the judge’s direction on logistics,” the spokesman said.

A Times spokesperson welcomed the judge’s swift ruling, stating that it “recognized that the complaint was a political document rather than a serious legal filing.” Penguin Random House similarly applauded the dismissal, citing the judge’s description of the complaint as improper and impermissible.

The lawsuit represents part of Trump’s broader legal campaign targeting media organizations he considers hostile to his administration. Trump sued over three articles and a book by two Times reporters, accusing the defendants of defaming him prior to the 2024 presidential election to sabotage his campaign and damage his reputation as a successful businessman.

Friday’s order represents an unusual judicial rebuke to a sitting president regarding proper courtroom decorum and legal procedure. In his four-page ruling, Merryday emphasized that plaintiffs must “fairly, precisely, directly, soberly, and economically” explain to defendants why they are being sued.

Trump’s complaint contained inflammatory language characterizing the defendants as people who “baselessly hate President Trump in a deranged way” and describing their actions as “represent a new journalistic low for the hopelessly compromised and tarnished ‘Gray Lady,'” referencing the Times’ traditional nickname.

The filing also contended that the Times itself was “deranged” for endorsing Democrat Kamala Harris for president during the 2024 election cycle. Such political commentary exceeded appropriate boundaries for legal pleadings, according to the judge’s assessment.

“Although lawyers receive a modicum of expressive latitude in pleading the claim of a client,” Merryday wrote, “the complaint in this action extends far beyond the outer bound of that latitude.”

The defamation lawsuit forms part of a pattern of Trump using the courts to challenge reporting and commentary he considers unfair. The president has filed multiple high-profile media lawsuits during his current term, seeking substantial financial damages from news organizations and publishers.

One of Trump’s attorneys in this case also represents him in a separate $10 billion defamation lawsuit against media mogul Rupert Murdoch and the Wall Street Journal. That case centers on an article about a birthday greeting allegedly sent to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein in 2003.

Trump’s legal team has achieved some success in media litigation efforts. Two other attorneys helped him secure a $16 million settlement in July with CBS News parent company Paramount Global over the editing of an interview with Kamala Harris on the news program “60 Minutes.”

The judge’s criticism of Trump’s complaint style highlights tensions between political rhetoric and legal procedure requirements. Federal courts maintain strict standards for complaint formatting and content, regardless of the plaintiff’s political position or public profile.

Merryday’s ruling demonstrates judicial willingness to enforce procedural requirements even when dealing with high-profile political figures. The judge’s language suggests frustration with attempts to use court filings as vehicles for political messaging rather than legitimate legal arguments.

The 28-day deadline for filing an amended complaint will test whether Trump’s legal team can present their defamation claims within proper procedural boundaries. The revised filing must focus on specific legal theories and factual allegations while eliminating political commentary and personal attacks.

The Times continues to face the underlying defamation claims despite the procedural victory. The newspaper and its reporters must still defend against Trump’s allegations once he files a properly formatted complaint meeting federal court requirements.

The case reflects broader tensions between press freedom advocates and political figures who argue that media organizations exceed appropriate bounds in their coverage and commentary. The outcome may influence how courts handle similar cases involving public figures and media defendants.

Trump signs proclamation imposing $100,000 fee for H-1B worker visas

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admin
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WASHINGTON (BN24) — President Donald Trump signed a proclamation Friday imposing a $100,000 fee requirement for companies seeking to obtain H-1B worker visas, escalating his administration’s comprehensive immigration crackdown that includes widespread raids and massive deportation efforts across American cities.

The proclamation represents a significant victory for immigration hardliners on Capitol Hill while creating potential conflicts with technology executives who depend on qualified workers from overseas to fill critical positions in their companies.

The H-1B visa program, originally signed into law by President George H.W. Bush in 1990, enables skilled workers from foreign countries to work temporarily in the United States. Major technology corporations including Amazon and Microsoft have relied extensively on program approvals to hire employees from international markets.

Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, a senior fellow at the American Immigration Council, characterized the move as “almost certainly illegal and likely to be struck down in court” in a social media post responding to the proclamation. He argued that Congress has authorized the government only to establish fees sufficient to recover costs associated with processing visa applications.

“There is no statutory authority to impose fees designed to limit the use of a visa,” Reichlin-Melnick wrote, highlighting potential legal vulnerabilities in the administration’s approach.

Bloomberg Law first reported Trump’s intentions to sign the proclamation Friday, providing advance notice of the significant policy change affecting skilled worker immigration.

Congress maintains annual limits on the H-1B program, setting a cap of 65,000 new visas each fiscal year with an additional 20,000 reserved for individuals who have earned master’s degrees or higher educational credentials. The program includes additional exemptions specifically for universities and research organizations.

During his first presidential term, Trump attempted to implement regulations that would have dramatically restricted the issuance of new skilled-worker visas. The administration cited economic disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and efforts to preserve employment opportunities for American workers as justification for the proposed limitations. However, a federal court ultimately struck down those rules.

Trump’s position on the H-1B program has shown notable evolution over time. In December comments to the New York Post before taking office, Trump defended the visa program, stating his support for the initiative.

“I have many H-1B visas on my properties. I’ve been a believer in H-1B. I have used it many times. It’s a great program,” Trump told the outlet, indicating his personal familiarity with and previous support for the system.

The $100,000 fee represents a substantial increase from current H-1B application costs, potentially creating significant financial barriers for companies seeking to hire skilled international workers. The dramatic fee increase could fundamentally alter the economics of hiring foreign workers under the program.

Technology industry leaders have consistently advocated for maintaining robust skilled worker visa programs, arguing that access to international talent remains essential for American competitiveness in global markets. The substantial fee increase may force companies to reconsider their hiring strategies and potentially relocate operations to countries with more accessible immigration policies.

The proclamation arrives amid the Trump administration’s broader immigration enforcement campaign, which has featured high-profile raids in multiple cities and expanded deportation operations targeting individuals in the country illegally. Immigration advocates have characterized the overall approach as the most aggressive enforcement effort in recent memory.

Legal challenges to the proclamation appear likely given the statutory questions raised by immigration law experts. Federal courts have previously intervened when executive actions on immigration policy exceed authorized congressional mandates or conflict with established legal frameworks.

The timing of the proclamation, issued on a Friday, follows a common administrative practice for controversial policy announcements that may generate significant public reaction. The weekend timing potentially limits immediate media coverage while allowing the administration to shape initial narrative responses.

Industry groups representing technology companies have not yet issued formal responses to the proclamation, though previous statements have emphasized the importance of skilled worker visa programs for maintaining American leadership in innovation and technology development.

The economic implications of the fee increase extend beyond individual companies to broader questions about American competitiveness in attracting global talent. Countries including Canada and Australia have positioned themselves as alternative destinations for skilled workers who might otherwise seek opportunities in the United States.

Congressional reaction to the proclamation will likely divide along partisan lines, with Republicans generally supporting stricter immigration enforcement while Democrats criticize measures they view as harmful to economic growth and innovation. The legal authority questions raised by immigration experts may prompt legislative scrutiny regardless of partisan positions.

Grammy-winning songwriter Brett James, co-writer of ‘Jesus, Take the Wheel,’ killed in North Carolina plane crash

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Emmanuel
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Tennessee (BN24) – Grammy-winning country music songwriter Brett James, best known for co-writing Carrie Underwood’s breakthrough hit “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” died in a plane crash in North Carolina, authorities confirmed Friday. He was 57.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said the Cirrus SR22T aircraft crashed Thursday afternoon in a wooded area of Franklin under “unknown circumstances.” Three people were on board, and all were killed, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. James, whose legal name was Brett James Cornelius, was confirmed as one of the victims. It was not immediately clear whether he was piloting the plane.

The other victims were identified as Melody Carole and Meryl Maxwell Wilson. The flight originated from John C. Tune Airport in Nashville, Tennessee, before the fatal crash. The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board have opened investigations.

James was one of Nashville’s most prolific and decorated songwriters. Inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2020, he wrote or co-wrote more than 500 recorded songs, featured on albums that have sold over 110 million copies. His career highlights include No. 1 hits such as Jessica Andrews’ “Who I Am” and Kenny Chesney’s “When the Sun Goes Down.” He also co-wrote Carrie Underwood’s “Cowboy Casanova,” Chesney’s “Out Last Night,” and Rascal Flatts’ “Summer Nights.”

Born in Oklahoma City, James initially attended medical school before leaving to pursue a career in Nashville. His work earned him industry acclaim, including a Grammy Award for Best Country Song in 2006 for “Jesus, Take the Wheel.” His songs were recorded by some of the biggest names in music, including Faith Hill, Kelly Clarkson, Luke Bryan, Keith Urban, Nick Jonas, and Meghan Trainor.

Tributes poured in from the country music community following the news of his death. “Heartbroken to hear of the loss of my friend Brett James tonight,” singer Jason Aldean wrote on X. “I had nothing but love and respect for that guy and he helped change my life. Honored to have met him and worked with him.”

James also recorded his own solo album in 2020, telling the Grand Ole Opry that he wanted to create “classic” songs that felt timeless. “At my stage in life, I’m not going to write about driving around in pickup trucks, chasing girls,” he said. “They all wound up being love songs, but hopefully love songs with a twist, that haven’t all been written before.”

Trump to impose $100K fee on H-1B visa applications, White House official says

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admin
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WASHINGTON (BN24) — President Donald Trump is preparing to sign a proclamation that would impose a $100,000 application fee for H-1B visa petitions, a dramatic increase in costs for U.S. employers seeking to hire foreign workers in specialized fields, a White House official said Thursday.

The proclamation, which could be signed as early as Friday, also includes additional reforms to the H-1B visa program, long criticized by the Trump administration as being abused by corporations to undercut American workers. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity ahead of the signing, confirmed the details after they were first reported by Bloomberg News.

The H-1B program, created in 1990, allows employers to hire foreign workers with at least a bachelor’s degree in occupations deemed difficult to fill with U.S. workers, particularly in science, technology, engineering and math. Each year, 85,000 visas are issued through a lottery system.

But critics, including Trump, argue the system has strayed from its original purpose. Instead of being reserved for “the best and brightest,” they say the program has become a pipeline for outsourcing firms and contractors who often pay foreign employees salaries far below what U.S. workers earn. Many H-1B workers make around $60,000 annually, compared with more than $100,000 for U.S. tech employees.

Amazon received more than 10,000 H-1B visas this year, the highest among U.S. companies, followed by Tata Consultancy, Microsoft, Apple and Google. California remains the state with the largest share of H-1B workers, according to federal data.

The Trump administration has repeatedly sought to overhaul the program. During his first term, Trump floated changes to award visas based on wages rather than random lottery selection, a reform labor groups such as the AFL-CIO also support. The administration argues higher application fees would discourage misuse of the system by staffing firms and prioritize companies offering competitive salaries.

“The program suffers from a split personality disorder,” said Doug Rand, former director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services during the Biden administration. “Half the visas go to established companies that provide stable employment. The other half go to consulting firms that effectively rent out workers to larger corporations.”

Recent years have seen sharp declines in lottery entries following federal crackdowns on multiple applications submitted to boost selection odds. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services said bids for H-1B visas dropped nearly 40% in 2024 after new rules limited applicants to one lottery entry regardless of the number of job offers.

Still, critics say abuses persist. While some outsourcing giants such as Wipro, Infosys, HCL Technologies and Tata Consultancy rely heavily on H-1B workers from India, others argue the system depresses wages for U.S. workers and exploits foreign labor.

The debate over the program has even touched the First Family. First Lady Melania Trump, then Melania Knauss, obtained an H-1B visa in 1996 to work as a fashion model after immigrating from Slovenia.

Trump’s latest move marks the most sweeping cost increase in the program’s history and could redefine how major corporations and consulting firms hire foreign workers.

New York Democratic politicians arrested at ICE jail in Manhattan

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admin
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NEW YORK (BN24) — More than a dozen Democratic elected officials were arrested Thursday during demonstrations at a federal building in Manhattan, where U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operates holding cells that a judge recently ruled were in violation of basic human rights standards.

New York City Comptroller Brad Lander and 10 state lawmakers were taken into custody inside 26 Federal Plaza after they were blocked from entering the 10th-floor detention unit, according to protest organizers. The group said they were attempting to “ensure compliance” with a federal court order issued a day earlier that demanded improvements to what the judge called “inhumane” conditions inside the lockup.

At the same time, New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams led dozens of demonstrators outside the building, where protesters sat across the garage entrance with signs and chanted, “Say it loud, say it clear, immigrants are welcome here.” Organizers estimated that more than 75 people were detained between the two protest actions.

Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary for the Department of Homeland Security, placed the overall number of arrests at 71. She said Lander and the other officials disrupted law enforcement activity and refused to leave until detainees were released, forcing police and federal agents to make arrests. The building was temporarily placed on lockdown after authorities said a bomb threat was called in.

The clash marked the latest confrontation between federal authorities and Democratic leaders opposing President Donald Trump’s immigration policies. Lander had been detained at the same building in June while escorting a man targeted for deportation. In May, U.S. Rep. LaMonica McIver, D-N.J., and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka were arrested during a confrontation outside a New Jersey immigration facility.

Thursday’s protest came less than 24 hours after a federal judge issued an 84-page injunction describing overcrowded and unsanitary conditions at the Manhattan ICE lockup. The court cited detainees being packed shoulder-to-shoulder — as many as 90 people in a 215-square-foot room — forced to sleep on concrete floors, and denied showers, soap, sanitary products, clean clothing, or toilet paper.

“The cruel policy of subjecting individuals to degrading treatment and inhumane conditions is deeply disturbing. And now the court has made it abundantly clear that it is also illegal,” said Harold Solis, co-legal director of the advocacy group Make the Road New York.

DHS officials, however, said the detainees at 26 Federal Plaza included immigrants convicted of crimes such as drug trafficking, weapons offenses, and even one man arrested for repeatedly flying drones near the White House.

The New York Police Department confirmed multiple arrests but did not say whether formal charges had been filed. Neither ICE nor DHS commented on potential prosecutions.

The arrests underline the growing tension between Democratic leaders in New York and the Trump administration over the treatment of migrants and the future of immigration enforcement in the United States.

Senate unanimously approves resolution establishing Oct. 14 as National Charlie Kirk Day of remembrance – Foxnews

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The U.S. Senate has unanimously passed a resolution designating October 14, 2025 — the birthday of slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk — as the National Day of Remembrance for Charlie Kirk.

Lawmakers approved the measure as a formal recognition of Kirk’s role in shaping conservative youth activism and his influence on public debate. The resolution encourages schools, civic groups, and individuals across the country to mark the day with educational programs, ceremonies, prayers, and other activities that reflect on his contributions to civic engagement and the principles he championed, including faith, liberty, and democracy.

Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., who introduced the resolution on Sept. 16, praised Kirk as “a magnetic leader, a loving father and husband, and a friend and inspiration to so many.” He added that Kirk “loved our nation and its founding principles and believed deeply in his faith, in his family, and in the beauty of ideas and discussion.”

The commemoration comes less than a month after Kirk was assassinated while speaking at a Utah university event. His widow, Erika Kirk, was recently appointed CEO of Turning Point USA, the conservative youth organization he co-founded in 2012. In public remarks, she has pledged to expand the group’s presence and continue her husband’s mission of mobilizing young voters around conservative ideals.

The Senate’s resolution marks a rare moment of bipartisan agreement, underscoring Kirk’s prominence in American political discourse and the impact of his career, which saw him build one of the most influential conservative movements on college campuses and social media.

October 14 will now serve as an annual day of remembrance for Kirk’s life and work, offering what supporters say will be an enduring reminder of his devotion to civic education and his influence on a new generation of activists.

Erika Kirk appointed CEO of Turning Point USA after Charlie Kirk’s assassination

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Utah (BN24) – Erika Kirk has officially been named chief executive officer of Turning Point USA, stepping into the role once held by her late husband, Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated last week during a university speaking event in Utah.

The announcement came Thursday from the organization’s board of directors, which also confirmed that Erika Kirk will serve as board chair. The decision was unanimous, and board members noted that Charlie Kirk had expressed his wish for his wife to take over leadership of the conservative youth organization if anything were to happen to him.

In her first remarks following her husband’s death, Erika Kirk pledged to carry forward his mission, vowing to “make Turning Point USA the biggest thing that this nation has ever seen.”

She is expected to appear Sunday in Arizona at a memorial service for Charlie Kirk, where President Donald Trump and leading Republicans will gather to honor the activist’s life and legacy.

Charlie Kirk co-founded Turning Point USA in 2012, quickly rising as a prominent figure in conservative politics by building one of the most influential youth movements in the country. The group expanded its reach through campus chapters nationwide and a strong social media presence, fueled by viral clips of Kirk’s fiery exchanges with college students under his signature “Prove me wrong” challenges.

The 31-year-old conservative leader was fatally shot while answering an audience question during a campus event. His death sparked widespread tributes from across Republican circles. President Trump, who often campaigned alongside Kirk, described him as someone who “understood and had the heart of the youth in the United States of America better than anyone.”

In public statements, Erika Kirk has vowed to not only preserve but expand the organization’s influence, promising that Turning Point USA will continue its high-profile campus tours, its annual AmericaFest conference, and its media platforms, including radio and podcast programs.

“My husband’s mission will not end, not even for a moment,” she said. “Turning Point will become stronger, bolder, louder, and greater than ever.”

The couple shared two young children.

Trump praises Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension, renews threats against TV broadcasters over negative coverage – Reuters

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LONDON (BN240 — President Donald Trump on Thursday applauded ABC’s suspension of late-night comedian Jimmy Kimmel, calling it justified after what he described as “horrible” remarks about slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Trump also renewed threats to revoke broadcast licenses from networks he says unfairly attack his administration, escalating tensions over free speech and government pressure on media.

Speaking alongside British Prime Minister Keir Starmer during his state visit to the United Kingdom, Trump said Kimmel “was fired for lack of talent” after mocking Republican reactions to Kirk’s assassination during monologues on Monday and Tuesday. “You can call it free speech or not,” Trump said. “He said a horrible thing about a great gentleman known as Charlie Kirk.”

ABC, owned by Walt Disney Co., announced Wednesday that it was indefinitely suspending Jimmy Kimmel Live, which has aired since 2003. The move followed statements from major station owners Nexstar and Sinclair that they would pull the program from local affiliates. Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr also suggested he would review Kimmel’s commentary about Kirk, sparking alarm from press freedom advocates.

The suspension has been denounced by Democrats, labor unions, and civil liberties groups as government coercion. Former President Barack Obama said Trump’s administration was weaponizing regulatory threats against broadcasters. “After years of complaining about cancel culture, the current administration has taken it to a new and dangerous level,” Obama said. “Threatening media companies unless they muzzle reporters and commentators it doesn’t like is censorship by another name.”

The American Civil Liberties Union called the pressure campaign unconstitutional, while Hollywood guilds representing writers and performers said Kimmel’s suspension was an attack on dissent.

Kimmel, a frequent critic of Trump, had accused Trump’s supporters of exploiting Kirk’s murder “to score political points.” Kirk, 31, was gunned down on Sept. 10 while speaking at a Utah university event organized by Turning Point USA, the pro-Trump group he founded. A 22-year-old student has been charged with his killing.

Trump and his allies, however, have portrayed Kirk as a martyr and condemned critics as disrespectful. “All they do is hit Trump,” the president said on Air Force One, reiterating that broadcast licenses “maybe should be taken away” from networks that air negative coverage. Federal law bars the FCC from revoking licenses based on editorial content.

The backlash underscores a broader national battle over free speech, political polarization, and media independence. Conservatives argue they are fighting against “hate speech” that they claim can fuel violence, while Democrats warn that Trump is using his office to silence dissenting voices.

ABC has not said Kimmel was fired, and the comedian has not publicly commented on the suspension. According to Nielsen ratings, Jimmy Kimmel Live averaged 1.57 million viewers during the most recent television season, part of a broader decline in late-night TV viewership as audiences shift to streaming.

Kirk’s death continues to divide opinion. Admirers hail him as a staunch defender of conservative values and open debate, while critics point to his embrace of Christian nationalism, opposition to immigration, and disparaging remarks about minorities and LGBTQ Americans.

For Trump, the suspension of one of his most prominent media critics is both a symbolic victory and a test of his administration’s willingness to push the limits of U.S. constitutional protections for free speech.

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