Tucker Carlson has issued a sharp warning about how President Trump’s administration is responding to the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Carlson argues that Kirk’s death is being politicized to justify dangerous restrictions on free speech—specifically through the push for federal “hate speech” enforcement.

On his show, Carlson emphasized that Kirk was a staunch defender of the First Amendment and would have vehemently opposed Attorney General Pam Bondi’s statement that the DOJ would “absolutely target” individuals for hate speech. Carlson called this rhetoric unconstitutional and deeply un-American, stating, “There is no sentence Charlie Kirk would have objected to more than that”.

He warned that if Kirk’s death is used to usher in hate speech laws, it would mark “the most justified moment for civil disobedience ever.” Carlson added, “If they can tell you what to say, they’re telling you what to think… because they don’t consider you human”.

The fallout has already begun: late-night host Jimmy Kimmel was suspended after criticizing Trump’s response to Kirk’s death, and Vice President J.D. Vance encouraged supporters to report anyone mocking Kirk’s assassination—even urging them to contact their employers.

Carlson’s message is clear: weaponizing grief to suppress dissent is not tribute—it’s tyranny. He calls on Americans to resist any attempt to criminalize speech in Kirk’s name.