Featured Image Credit: Andrew Harnik / Staff via Getty
The United States is embroiled in another free speech saga, with continued complaints about how the Trump Administration is handling the death of Charlie Kirk. There was an outpouring of support when the right-wing political commentator was gunned down at Utah Valley University, with the widowed Erika Kirk saying her "cries will echo around the world like a battle cry."
As well as the idea of having Charlie Kirk's face printed on 400,000 silver dollars, Donald Trump has awarded the controversial commentator a posthumous Medal of Freedom.
With fears of another American Civil War seeming closer by the day, both sides of the political spectrum are making their feelings clear. While Republicans are known for waving their free speech banner, there has been backlash in the aftermath of Kirk's shooting.
Amid calls for a Disney boycott when Jimmy Kimmel Live! was briefly taken off the air, a judge ruled that a professor's comments about Kirk didn't warrant him losing his job because being an employee of a public university "doesn't forfeit the right to free speech."
Advert
Still, we've seen people lose their jobs, Netflix stock prices take a hit, and even the State Department revoking people's visas over comments made on social media about Kirk's passing.
After the State Department branded six people who had their visas taken away as "examples of aliens who are no longer welcome in the US," one attorney took to X and promised free legal counsel.
According to his X account, Eric Lee is an immigration attorney, litigator, and was the recipient of the American Immigration Lawyers Association's 2024 Jack Wasserman Award for excellence in litigation.
Working with the Consular Accountability Project, Lee has offered pro bono legal representation for those who believe they've been targeted over controversial comments made about Kirk.
Lee was praised and criticized in equal measure, with many branding him an 'ambulance chaser' and others comparing him to Bob Odenkirk's slippery Saul Goodman from Breaking Bad.
Another critic added: "I wouldn't trust any firm who doesn't understand that it is a breach of the visa contract to incite or spread anti-American and violent rhetoric."
In support of Lee, someone said: "Glad legal support is available. This chilling of speech by our state department is dangerous and irresponsible. Consider this tweet and how it impacts public speech here+abroad. Imagine Americans being booted from the UK for rightly same thing about Tommy Robinson."
Another added: "THE PENDULUM SWINGS BOTH WAYS…all those republicans who were for the 1st amendment, and now the tables are turning…!"
Others weren't sure which way things could go, concluding: "Gonna be fun watching this play out. Honestly not sure who will win. Legislative action would be more appropriate here."
It remains to be seen if any of these cases go anywhere, especially as Secretary of State Marco Rubio defiantly stated: "Visiting America is not an entitlement. It is a privilege extended to those who respect our laws and values."
