West Hollywood issued a statement Sunday after the California city faced backlash for lowering flags to half-staff in response to a presidential proclamation to pay tribute to Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk.After Kirk was assassinated during a campus event at Utah Valley University last week, President Donald Trump issued a proclamation ordering the U.S. flags on the White House and all public buildings and grounds to be lowered to half-staff to honor the conservative activist.The California city was criticized after following this order, as well as lowering the Transgender Flag and Pride Progress Flag at Matthew Shepard Square. A sign was erected in the square in protest of the decision.NFL GREAT'S NJ HOMETOWN REFUSED TO LOWER FLAGS IN HONOR OF CHARLIE KIRK, ITS NEIGHBORS ROSE TO THE OCCASION"Shame on West Hollywood for lowering our flags in honoring a racist, transphobic, homophobic, Nazi-loving monster," the sign read.The City of West Hollywood defended its decision in a statement released to the WeHo Times, a local news outlet, saying that lowering these flags was in response to the presidential proclamation and not an endorsement of Kirks views."The Citys action should not be interpreted as an expression of alignment with, or endorsement of, Mr. Kirks political views or actions. Rather, the action was undertaken in accordance with the Citys Policy for Recognitions and Memorials, which acknowledges that the City follows the direction of the President in determining when flags in the City are flown at half-staff," the statement read.FEMA EMPLOYEE PLACED ON LEAVE FOR SAYING FLAGS SHOULDN'T BE AT HALF-STAFF FOR 'RACIST HOMOPHOBE' CHARLIE KIRKIt continued, "The discussion that has emerged within the community about when and whether the City should follow established policy is important. The City values this dialogue, and we recognize the importance of ensuring that community values are reflected in the Citys actions. In the coming weeks, the West Hollywood City Council will discuss this matter and will consider updates to the Citys policy regarding the lowering of flags to ensure that it appropriately reflects the values of the West Hollywood community."Fox News Digital reached out to the City of West Hollywood for comment.At the same time, a New Jersey city faced criticism from its citizens, including New York Jets great Nick Mangold, over its decision to not lower its flags despite the presidential proclamation.CUBS HONOR 'LIFELONG' FAN CHARLIE KIRK WITH 'MOMENT OF REFLECTION' AFTER UTAH ASSASSINATIONThe City of Madison defended its decision in a statement explaining that its policy is to follow "the State of New Jerseys daily flag status" which kept the flags at "full staff."CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP"The Borough of Madison condemns all forms of political violence and rejects hate in every form. We remain committed to bringing people together around our shared values and ideals," the statement continued.

Disney is pulling ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" "indefinitely," the company confirmed to Fox News Digital."Jimmy Kimmel Live will be pre-empted indefinitely," a Disney spokesperson said.Nexstar Media Group, which owns hundreds of television stations, announced earlier it would preempt Kimmel's show on its ABC affiliates starting Wednesday night "for the foreseeable future" and would replace it with other programming over his comments about alleged Charlie Kirk assassin Tyler Robinson."Mr. Kimmels comments about the death of Mr. Kirk are offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our national political discourse, and we do not believe they reflect the spectrum of opinions, views, or values of the local communities in which we are located," Nexstar's broadcasting chief Andrew Alford said in a press release. "Continuing to give Mr. Kimmel a broadcast platform in the communities we serve is simply not in the public interest at the current time, and we have made the difficult decision to preempt his show in an effort to let cooler heads prevail as we move toward the resumption of respectful, constructive dialogue," the statement continued.FCC CHAIR LEVELS THREAT AGAINST ABC, DISNEY AFTER KIMMEL SUGGESTED CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSIN WAS MAGAOn Monday, Kimmel accused conservatives of reaching "new lows" in trying to pin a left-wing ideology on 22-year-old suspect Tyler Robinson, even though prosecutors reaffirmed those ties in Tuesdays indictment."We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it," Kimmel said.ABC REPORTER CALLS ALLEGED CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSIN'S TEXT MESSAGES TO TRANSGENDER PARTNER VERY TOUCHINGFederal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr had issued a threat against Disney if it didn't address the controversy.Appearing on Wednesday's "The Benny Show," Carr called Kimmel's comments "some of the sickest conduct" and suggested there were potential "avenues" the FCC could pursue."In some quarters, there's a very concerted effort to try to lie to the American people about the nature of one of the most significant newsworthy public interest acts that we've seen in a long time in what appears to be an action by Jimmy Kimmel to play into that narrative that this was somehow a MAGA or a Republican-motivated person," Carr told host Benny Johnson."And I've been very clear from the moment that I have become chairman of the FCC, I want to reinvigorate the public interest. And what people don't understand is that the broadcasters, and you've gotten this right, are entirely different than people that use other forms of communication. They have a license granted by us at the FCC, and that comes with it an obligation to operate in the public interest," the official added."Look, we can do this the easy way or the hard way. These companies can find ways to change conduct, to take action, frankly, on Kimmel, or, you know, there's going to be additional work for the FCC ahead," Carr said.COMPLETE COVERAGE OF CHARLIE KIRKKimmels comments came one day after both FBI officials and Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said that Robinson held a "leftist ideology" and was increasingly radicalized in recent years. It was also revealed that he had a romantic relationship with a transgender partner who was biologically male and transitioning to female.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPOn Tuesday, Kimmel took aim at Vice President JD Vance for "pointing his little mascara-stained finger directly at the left" as guest host of "The Charlie Kirk Show." Vance said on the show that most "lunatics" in American politics belong to the far left."And by statistical fact, he means complete bull---," Kimmel reacted.

President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced he will designate antifa, a left-wing activist group, as a "major terrorist organization."Trump described the group as "A SICK, DANGEROUS, RADICAL LEFT DISASTER," in a Truth Social announcement.The president added he will be "strongly recommending" that those funding antifa be thoroughly investigated in accordance with the highest legal standards and practices.The announcement comes just days after Trumo said he would "100%" consider the designation.This is breaking news. This story will be updated to reflect the latest details.

Vice President JD Vance issued scathing words to those questioning the motive of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirks accused killer on "Jesse Watters Primetime" Wednesday.After citing several sources involved in the investigation, the vice president blamed Kirks killing on "left-wing political radicalization.""My friend is dead because of left-wing political radicalization," Vance argued. "And if you want to cut that sh-- out, then be honest about it, and look yourself in the mirror."JD VANCE DECLARES THERE IS 'NO UNITY' WITH PEOPLE WHO CELEBRATE CHARLIE KIRK'S ASSASSINATIONAccording to court documents, the mother of Tyler Robinson, Kirks suspected assassin, said Robinson had "become more political," leaning left and supporting "pro-gay and trans rights."On Tuesday, Utah County District Attorney Jeff Gray read aloud Robinsons alleged explanation in text messages to his transgender roommate for assassinating Kirk."I had enough of [Kirks] hatred," Robinson wrote Sept. 10. "Some hate cant be negotiated out."Robinson has been charged withaggravated murder and six other felonies by Utah prosecutors, who intend to seek the death penalty.CHARLIE KIRKS STRONG STANCE ON DEATH PENALTY RESURFACES AFTER UTAH ASSASSINATIONAs the nation debates Robinsons alleged motive for killing Kirk, Vance told Fox News host Jesse Watters the conservative activists death is not a "both sides problem.""You look at every ounce of evidence that we have, and it is clear," Vance said. "This is a person who grew up in a pretty normal family, actually had a pretty good home life, who was radicalized by the far left, by the social networks of the far left, by the ideas of the far left, and got so far down the path of radicalization that he killed my friend."The Republican vice president also addressed whether the firings of those celebrating Kirks assassination is constitutional as employees lose their jobs and college students face expulsion for praising Kirks death.JD VANCE PENS HEARTFELT TRIBUTE TO CHARLIE KIRK AFTER ASSASSINATION: YOU RAN A GOOD RACE, MY FRIEND"The First Amendment protects a lot of very ugly speech," Vance explained. "But if you celebrate Charlie Kirk's death, you should not be protected from being fired for being a disgusting person."When Watters asked Vance how he views the celebrations, Vance listed a couple of questions he would ask the "disgusting" people in question.CLICK HERE FOR FULL COVERAGE OF CHARLIE KIRK'S ASSASSINATION"I would ask if you were the kind of person who feels joy at the death of a grieving mother and grieving children, what bad decisions have led you to where you are today?" Vance responded. "And why don't you get back on the right path?"On Monday, the vice president hosted an episode of "The Charlie Kirk Show" in honor of his late friend, saying he would not be in office without Kirk.VICE PRESIDENT JD VANCE ESCORTS CHARLIE KIRK'S CASKET BEFORE FLIGHT ON AIR FORCE TWO FROM UTAH TO ARIZONA"Obviously, the president makes the final determination, but it takes a team effort, and Charlie was part of that team," Vance said.Vance also served as a pallbearer for Kirk when he carried his casket onto Air Force Two in Utah. The plane transported Kirks remains to Arizona Sept. 12.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPTurning Point USA will hold a memorial for its founder in Arizona Sunday at State Farm Stadium, home of the NFLs Arizona Cardinals.

Christian minister Edward "Ted" Barham says he will not respond with hate after Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud told him he was "not welcome" during a heated city council exchange over a controversial honorary street sign naming that went viral.In a new interview with Fox News Digital, Barham said the moment has only strengthened his resolve to speak out about freedom of speech and freedom of faith."I did not respond to the mayor with hate. I said, God bless you," Barham said, adding that he takes seriously Jesus command to "love your enemies, bless those who curse you." He said the incident was not isolated, pointing to earlier clashes with city officials over his public ministry.Barham objected at the Sept. 9 council meeting to street signs honoring controversial Arab American News publisher Osama Siblani.DEARBORNS MUSLIM MAYOR TELLS CHRISTIAN HES NOT WELCOME IN DEBATE ON HONORING PRO-TERROR ARAB LEADERHe read from a 2022 Siblani speech that declared, "We are the Arabs who are going to lift Palestinians all the way to victory whether we are in Michigan and whether we are in Jenin. Believe me, everyone should fight within his means. They will fight with stones, others will fight with guns, others fight with planes, drones, and rockets." Barham told council members, "It sounds like he could be inciting violence in Michigan."Siblani has a long record of controversial remarks. In 2003 he told the Washington Post, "Mr. Bush believes Hezbollah, Hamas and other Palestinian factions are terrorists, but we believe they are freedom fighters."In 2006 he told the Chicago Tribune that "if the FBI wants to come after those who support the resistance done by Hezbollah, then they better bring a fleet of buses. I, for one, would be willing to go to jail." At a Dearborn rally in September 2024, he praised Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah as a "hero" as the crowd cheered.WHITMER SILENT ON MUSLIM MAYOR TELLING RESIDENT HES NOT WELCOME FOR SLAM ON TERRORIST SYMPATHIZERBarham told Fox News Digital his own background gives him perspective. He was born in Africa, lived in Pakistan, Lebanon, and Israel, and ministered for years in England. He has produced Arabic-language Christian programming and holds graduate qualifications in biblical languages and theology from the University of Toronto, Oxford University, and other schools. "I do really enjoy living in this city," Barham said of Dearborn, sharing that many of his friends are either Muslim or formerly Muslim."I think it is a wonderful thing that there are so many Muslim people in Western countries," he said. "I would encourage American Christians to make the message of Christ and His love and His forgiveness and of loving His enemies very attractive to their Muslim friends and neighbors."Barham also pointed out a recent initiative in Dearborn where his group tested a Christian call to prayer in Arabic in public spaces to run alongside those broadcast by mosques, specifically quoting John 3:16.He said the idea sprang from seeing how often the Islamic call to prayer is heard in neighborhoods and wanting Christian voices to have the same public presence. "One really inspiring thing about that for us is that we're doing something here in Dearborn that our brothers and sisters and so many Muslim countries around the world are not allowed to do. And I do hand it to the city council and the mayor for allowing us to do that Christian call to prayer."At the same time, Barham said Muslim American leaders should use their influence to press for equal freedoms abroad. "My prayer is not just that we get more freedom here in Dearborn. My prayer is that people here in America, Muslim people, Muslim background people here in America will fight for the rights of oppressed Christian minorities in so many Muslim countries."He said he was shocked to hear Hammoud promise to "launch a parade" when he leaves town."I mean, as you saw, the mayor treated me terribly last week, but I have actually, believe it or not, had some good personal interactions with him, not myself so much, but my family," Barham added.While Barham credited Hammoud with funding new playgrounds and recalled his sons warm encounter with the mayor at a preschool visit, he argued there is a pattern of city leadership dismissing Christian speech. He pointed to a 2022 fight over a Christian film event where organizers were accused of "preying on children" simply for offering hot dogs and popcorn at a screening of the popular TV show "The Chosen" about the life of Jesus Christ.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPBarham says he will keep speaking anyway. "I want to stand up for a totally different message which is the message of love," he said. "Disagreement is not hate. Faith can be expressed without fear."Barham's ongoing Christian ministry in the Dearborn community can be followed on X at @DearbornDiscuss.The Office of Mayor Abdullah Hammoud did not immediately return Fox News Digital's request for comment.