Last winter, a Ukrainian mother received the call she had been waiting for: her daughter, taken across the border to Russia months earlier, was finally coming home. When they embraced, the girl hugged tightly, afraid she might be pulled away again. She hardly spoke, afraid to use the Ukrainian language after being forced to speak only Russian.That reunion was a miracle for this mother, but thousands and thousands of parents are still waiting. Just 1,600 abducted children have returned home.In the three and a half years since Russian President Vladimir Putins unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, Russia has kidnapped an estimated 20,000 Ukrainian children. The real number is likely much higher, because Russia has targeted orphanages and vulnerable kids who may not be identified. Its also difficult to trace everyone in the midst of war and occupation. Russia itself claims over 700,000 children have been so-called "evacuated."UKRAINES STOLEN CHILDREN CRISIS LOOMS LARGE AS NATO MEETS ON RUSSIAS WARThe more time that goes by, the harder it will be to find these kids. Their names and origins are being obscured. Their faces and voices change as they grow up, making them harder to identify. Some are so young they may entirely forget where they came from.A new report from Yale Universitys Humanitarian Research Lab makes clear just how systematic this program has become. Researchers have identified at least 210 facilities where Ukrainian children have been held across Russia and occupied Ukraine from summer camps and sanatoriums to cadet schools, a monastery and even a military base. At more than 130 of these sites, children undergo forced "re-education" programs designed to erase their Ukrainian identity and instill loyalty to Russia. And at nearly 40 locations, children are subjected to military-style training, including grenade-throwing, weapons assembly and drone operation.Disturbingly, this Yale report confirms that Putins government directly manages more than half of these facilities. Russias actions are right out of the KGBs playbook, when the Soviets deported tens of thousands of women and children from the occupied Baltic countries in the 1940s and all native Crimean Tatars from the Crimean Peninsula.Today, these abducted children are given new names, forced into Russian citizenship and adopted into Russian families without consent. They are told to forget their language, their culture and their parents. Those who make it home carry invisible scars: disrupted education, broken trust and a trauma that can last a lifetime.We cannot accept a world where kids are being abducted during war and we cannot allow children to be used as a form of hostage-taking for negotiations. Protecting children in conflict isnt optional. Its our humanitarian obligation and its a legal requirement under international law.Allowing these abductions to stand emboldens future aggressors, undermines international norms and betrays Americas most basic values.Thats why we worked across the aisle to convene a bipartisan coalition of senators to introduce a resolution in May condemning Russias actions. Our measure also calls for the unconditional return of abducted Ukrainian children before any peace agreement is signed.The resolution has earned endorsements from faith-based, child protection and human rights organizations, showing that Americans of all backgrounds understand these childrens basic rights.Our work to support these kids shows how both parties can come together to speak in one clear voice. We believe this unity tells parents in Ukraine and all over the globe, that America stands with them when their children are in danger. After discussing the issue with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, President Donald Trump was right to say that "it is a subject at the top of all lists" and that we must work to solve it.Alongside the resolution, we introduced the bipartisan Abducted Ukrainian Children Recovery and Accountability Act. This bill does three key things.First, it enhances support for Ukraines efforts to investigate and track the abducted children.Second, it helps those children who do make it back home and need psychological, social and educational support during that difficult transition.CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINIONThird, it reinforces efforts to hold those who commit these crimes accountable, including through sanctions that are aligned with our allies. Ukraines prosecutors have opened tens of thousands of war crimes cases, and they need sustained support from us and our allies.No peace can be just and no agreement credible until every child is safely returned. As First Lady Melania Trump wrote in her letter to Putin ahead of the Alaska Summit: "it is time" to end these childrens suffering.Its unacceptable that these kids are being treated like prisoners of war used for Putins propaganda and forced to do military training and join the ranks of Russias army. They must not become pawns used in any negotiations.The mother who was reunited with her daughter was one of the lucky few. Tens of thousands of other parents are still waiting for that same call, for the day they can wrap their arms around their children again. Until then, the world must not look away.Republican Chuck Grassley represents Iowa in the United States Senate.

Charlie Kirk was my colleague at Salem Media with whom I was friendly and with whom I would exchange texts and emails. He was not a close friend. I was not his mentor. If anyone was a mentor to this gifted autodidact who founded Turning Point USA, it would be Dennis Prager, to whom Charlies new book is dedicated.Dennis suffered a devastating injury late last year, but is slowly recovering. I learned from Denniss close colleague and co-founder of PragerU, Allen Estrin, last week that Charlie was often by Denniss hospital bed, and that Dennis summoned the strength to post his own grief online after the assassination. Dennis is a moral giant, a shaper of men and women and especially young men. It is not surprising that Charlie looked up to him, as he did few others.If Charlie had been Jewish, "Sitting Shiva" would now have concluded. As a great supporter of the State of Israel and of religious liberty generally, Charlie would have been overwhelmed by the love of his Jewish friends and admirers around the world. That evangelicals and Catholics grieve his loss so deeply is less surprising, but its degree is astonishing still.YOUTH LEADERS MOURN 'THE GODFATHER OF CAMPUS CONSERVATISM' CHARLIE KIRK FOLLOWING ASSASSINATIONMost media people know Charlie as a political leader and supporter of President Donald Trump. His colleagues at Salem Media knew him as this incredible, growing force in many fields. I confess bewilderment at what comes next. The assassination of young and dynamic leaders who did not seek office, but only to strengthen the reach of the Gospel and the strength of the Constitution is new in the history of the Republic.Turning Point USA will carry on and there are lots of young men and women who will pick up Charlies flag, like his wonderfully articulate wife Erika and his friend Alex Marlow. The tragedy for the Republic is that Charlie was showing a way to renew the commitment of the framers to ordered liberty, to a public square where the passion of faction could dissipate in debate that became dialogue. For some, that was the threat. They do not welcome argument. They want only the power to impose their will on non-adherents to their visions."I really hope that the assassination of Charlie Kirk is a turning point for us as a society where we look and see where things have come, the point at which weve come to in the United States," Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett told me this week. Referencing a passage from G.K. Chesterton on the necessity of argument, but the need to avoid quarreling, she noted that this distinction is crucial and argument and quarreling end at very different spots. "One is to silo ourselves so that we dont engage with the other side. Now thats the opposite of what Charlie Kirk did. He consistently engaged the other side.""I think the other message in that [Chesterton] passage is that when you do engage the other side, were engaging ideas and were not trying to attack or tear down people," the justice continued, "And theres a huge difference between the two. And I think those who fall into attacking people primarily do it verbally and not physically. But too often, I guess, were now seeing that verbal attacks can spill over into something more sinister."I first met Charlie a dozen years ago on the campus of Colorado Christian University, where former United States senator and the then president of the university, Bill Armstrong and his colleague State Senator John Andrews, had talked me into teaching about 40 high school students a two-week course. The course covered the Constitution and the outline of American history one needed to understand the great "frame of silver" that protected our nations "Apple of Gold" as Lincoln described the Constitution, borrowing from Psalms.It was the genius of Bill and John, a legacy carried on by CCUs new president, Eric Hogue, to bring high school students to the Western Conservative Summit held in Denver every summer and to use their mornings for teaching, their afternoons for enjoying the Rockies and their evenings to learn from speakers at the summit. Just brilliant.I accepted their invitation to lead the students in the morning class, though my experience is teaching law students, not high schoolers. Senator Armstrong then added another brilliant stroke (for he was a brilliant man.) He asked me to set aside an hour to two for a young man starting a new project. That young man was Charlie, at age 18 or 19. Turning Point USA had the barest of bones of structure then. I of course agreed. What teacher doesnt welcome a guest speaker?I was not prepared for Charlie, however, for when he rolled in and up to the front of the room in front of those 40 or so students just a couple of years younger than him. Charlie took and held their attention and implanted in them an enthusiasm for political engagement of the sort that endures. It was a revelation. He had a gift. Charisma cannot be taught. It simply shows up. Charlie had it. He never lost it.CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINIONOver the dozen years since, as our paths have repeatedly crossed until we both landed on the air for Salem, Charlie was always growing and learning. Id hear from his colleagues in a seminar at the Claremont Institute. Charlie inhaled everything online at Hillsdale College, would repeatedly urge me to continue the "Hillsdale Dialogues" with the colleges president, Dr. Larry Arnn, because Arnn is a gifted teacher and Charlie wanted to learn, learn, learn. The classic autodidact, Charlie made his own way towards wisdom while being in, but not of, the world.Along the way, he met and married the beautiful and wonderful wife the country has now met as a grieving widow, had two beautiful children and became the friend and ally of pretty much every Republican of note, from President Trump down to school board members of remote townships. Charlie and his Turning Point USA team were all about building the next generation of political leadership. He has done that. They are everywhere, just as Hillsdale grads are, just as diligent followers of PragerU are. Because those who build institutions build lasting monuments to their genius.When Allen Estrin spoke about Charlie last week, he noted that Charlie, as significant as he had already become the reach and influence of Rush Limbaugh, but half the age of when Rush hit that mark and backed by a large and growing movement that Charlie had built on campuses across the country was not even at 40% of what he would have become. That is the tragedy for the country. Charlie was producing informed and activist citizens, young men and women of faith and purpose who were injecting lifeblood into a republic of laws, led by older generations weary of battles among themselves and always facing enemies abroad.There are other dynamic young leaders out there Vice President Vance, Secretary Marco Rubio, Senators Tom Cotton and Ted Cruz, Congress members Elise Stefanik and Dan Harrigan, a generation of warriors from battlefields across the world and many more. All is hardly lost in the ongoing struggle to preserve the Constitution and religious liberty and Charlie would be the first to say the Lord is in control. But as his Sitting Shiva ends, it is all together right and proper to say: We shall not see his equal again.Hugh Hewitt is host of "The Hugh Hewitt Show," heard weekday mornings 6am to 9am ET on the Salem Radio Network, and simulcast on Salem News Channel. Hugh wakes up America on over 400 affiliates nationwide, and on all the streaming platforms where SNC can be seen. He is a frequent guest on the Fox News Channels news roundtable hosted by Bret Baier weekdays at 6pm ET. A son of Ohio and a graduate of Harvard College and the University of Michigan Law School, Hewitt has been a Professor of Law at Chapman Universitys Fowler School of Law since 1996 where he teaches Constitutional Law. Hewitt launched his eponymous radio show from Los Angeles in 1990. Hewitt has frequently appeared on every major national news television network, hosted television shows for PBS and MSNBC, written for every major American paper, has authored a dozen books and moderated a score of Republican candidate debates, most recently the November 2023 Republican presidential debate in Miami and four Republican presidential debates in the 2015-16 cycle. Hewitt focuses his radio show and his column on the Constitution, national security, American politics and the Cleveland Browns and Guardians. Hewitt has interviewed tens of thousands of guests from Democrats Hillary Clinton and John Kerry to Republican Presidents George W. Bush and Donald Trump over his 40 years in broadcast, and this column previews the lead story that will drive his radio/ TV show today.CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM HUGH HEWITT

Last Tuesday, I was among those who witnessed, in person, a political assassination we can never unsee. The senseless act of violence that took the life of my friend, Charlie Kirk, has exposed a rot that is infecting and threatening American life.In the aftermath of the seismic shockwave that swept the world following theassassination, one question has kept me up at night more than any other.How did a young man from a good family, a man with every advantage in life, become so radicalized by age 22 that he would murder a father of young children in cold blood?Those who live meaningful lives the kind of life Charlie lived take for granted that everyone wants to make the world a better place.I know I felt that way when I went to Congress in 2008.I really did believe we were all fighting for the same thing, just with different ways of getting there.GRADUALLY AND THEN SUDDENLY: REAGAN SPEECHWRITER TALKS POLITICAL VIOLENCE IN AFTERMATH OF KIRKS DEATHBut when I left eight years later, I realized that is simply not true.There really are people who hate America.They hate morality.They hate religion. They hate you and your beautiful family.They want this nation to fail.Nihilism, a term I only grasped through real-world encounters, is a philosophy that denies inherent meaning, morality, or truth in life.Derived from the Latin"nihil"(nothing), it views human existence as absurd, dismisses moral codes as baseless and often calls for dismantling established institutions.This extreme perspective, which risks ensnaring younger generations, is vividly explored by renowned Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy. In his writings, he delves into the crisis of faith and purpose, portraying it as a profound, disorienting struggle that challenges the human search for significance.This philosophy and the violence that stems from it is the fruit of a godless society. Its adherents dont believe in America. They dont believe in faith or the inherent worth of souls.They reject God.They dont believe in the core values of the American founding and they certainly dont revere our founding documents.Nor do they recognize the need for basic morality. They preach tolerance, but only if you agree with them.These people throw around accusations of fascism without truly understanding what it means.The irony is that when so-called anti-fascists lash out with physical violence, they become what they claim to be fighting against. There is no consistency in this philosophy.It's too simple to say this is a Republican versus Democrat problem.We all know Democrats who believe in making America better, but just disagree on how to achieve it. They still exist. But, the nihilism infecting their party is giving rise to a tolerance for violence that threatens the stability of the greatest country in the world. It threatens the welfare of our children.We cannot stand passively by and allow this hollow philosophy to gut our institutions and destroy our rising generations.We want to be peacemakers who avoid conflict.But, we have to stand up against evil.As we try to figure out how to deal with this, there are two things we must do immediately.First, we can all agree that there needs to be consequences for direct violence and threats of violence. No more releasing violent criminals into the streets in a fit of suicidal empathy.Secondly, we must instill meaning and teach moral codes.I dont suppose everybody believes in Jesus Christ like I do.We dont expect everyone to be Christian.But, Im worried about people who have no roots to anything. We need to instill the moral code laid out in our founding documents, whether we frame it in Christianity or some other philosophy. No one benefits from a godless society.Our kids need to be grounded in absolute truth.CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINIONThere really is such a thing as absolute truth.Charlies life stood as a testament to that reality.His death sealed his testimony of it. That life was a stark contrast to the godless nihilism offered by those who would celebrate his demise.God has a true plan of happiness for His children that rests on a foundation of faith, family and freedom. Charlie Kirk didnt just talk about those values.He lived them.He prioritized his service to God, his relationships with his family and his fight for liberty.His was a spiritual battle against nihilistic forces.He understood that the real enemy was never the person on the other side of the microphone, but the nihilistic belief that truth is relative, values are disposable and human life holds no inherent sacred worth.We must not allow this demonic belief to infest our politics and capture our children.The real enemy is the meaningless void of godless nihilism threatening to swallow up our God-given heritage.

FollowingCharlie Kirks assassination, some colleges are addressing concerns about the future of campus events and the safety of public speakers.In a Friday post on X, Inez Feltscher Stepman, a senior policy and legal analyst for Independent Women's Forum and Independent Women's Law Center, said Kirk's death could mean fewer events for conservatives on college campuses.Authorities identified the suspect as Tyler Robinson, 22, who was living with a 22-year-old roommate who was transitioning from male to female.CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSINATION: TIMELINE OF UTAH CAMPUS SHOOTING DETAILS ATTACK, MANHUNT FOR SUSPECT"This assassination will accomplish what the left has tried to do for so long: significantly shut down conservative speech on college campuses," Stepman wrote."Not because of a lack of bravery, but because of logistics," she added. "No more outdoor events, no more events without very serious security. And that costs big money that most orgs dont have, and universities are only too happy to say they cant manage. Already they were using security concerns to punish [right-wing] orgs and prevent them from hosting speakers. Now theres a real reason. The Assassins Veto."Fox News Digital reached out to colleges and universities across the country asking whether institutions of higher learning should place greater emphasis on security in order to protect students First Amendment rightsIn a statement to Fox News Digital, Cynthia Roldn Hernndez, director of public affairs for the University of Florida, said the school would not share security plans due to ensuring safety and security."However: As a world-class research institution, the University of Florida has repeatedly affirmed its commitment to free speech and civil discourse," Roldn Hernndez said. "UF will continue to ensure that individuals are able to express their ideas, free from bullying, violence, or any other type of disruptive behavior."BOSTON UNIVERSITY COLLEGE REPUBLICANS CALL FOR SECURITY, ACCOUNTABILITY AFTER CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSINATIONAngela Seydel, director of Issues Management at the University of Oregon, told Fox News Digital that the university wants to ensure that students are safe on the campus."The University of Oregon values free speech and the open exchange of ideas," Seydel said. "We consistently reaffirm these institutional values as a variety of speakers visit campus on a regular basis, providing learning and growth opportunities."Seydel referred Fox News Digital to the universityspage on free speech."Our highest priority is the safety of our campus community and those who visit. While we do not share specific security strategies, our approach involves close coordination with campus partners and, when appropriate, local and federal law enforcement," Seydel added.The school official said that they determine security needs in proportion to the type of events that "are designed to support both safety and the universitys commitment to free expression.""We continue to monitor national events and adapt our practices to ensure a secure environment for open dialogue at the University of Oregon," Seydel added.Some of the "notable elements" listed among the UCLA safety protocols include, "Approval processes and safety assessments related to organizing campus events," "Limitations to the use of amplified sound so that it does not disrupt other scheduled events or university functions," and "Rules of engagement that prioritize safety and respectful dialogue during demonstrations and protests on campus grounds, regardless of content or differing viewpoints being expressed."CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURE

A new watchdog group aiming to hold major institutions accountable and promoting good governance says it plans to become a "leading voice" for conservative values and effective governance across the country.The Safety and Prosperity Oversight Coalition, which launched on Wednesday, will be led by seasoned political operative Chris Zeller. The group announced its creation this week and said it will be focused on promoting transparency, integrity and efficiency across American governmental institutions and the private sector. Zeller has a long history in GOP politics, including work on numerous national campaigns and a stint as the executive director for multiple state Republican parties."The coalition brings together some of the nations top attorneys and financial investigators, leveraging their expertise to scrutinize institutional practices, expose inefficiencies, and advocate for policies that prioritize safety and prosperity for all Americans," stated a press release from the group. "Backed by a team of established professionals, the coalition is poised to become a leading voice for conservative values and effective governance."EXCLUSIVE: HOUSE GOP REPORT ALLEGES $20B GREEN GRANTS ENRICHED BIDEN ALLIESPer the press release, the watchdog will focus on three core pillars: "rigorous oversight of government spending, accountability for corporate and public sector misconduct, and advocacy for common-sense reforms to strengthen democratic institutions." This work will subsequently be accomplished via independent audits, legal challenges to governmental overreach brought forward by the nonprofit, and public education campaigns "to empower citizens with the facts."A GOP strategist who was willing to speak on background said the new watchdog group is a much-needed entity to combat efforts from the left. The strategist highlighted how the new conservative watchdog will help Republicans hold corporate America's feet to the fire the same way the left did during the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020, or the same way they did with "woke" diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.DEPT OF ED SPENDING SOARED 749% DESPITE DOWNSIZING, NEW DOGE-INSPIRED INITIATIVE REVEALS"The Safety and Prosperity Oversight Coalition is a response to the growing need for accountability in our institutions," Zeller added. "Americans deserve leadership that upholds integrity and delivers results. Our coalition will shine a light on waste, corruption, and mismanagement, ensuring that those in power serve the public, not themselves."Zeller most recently spent time as a top aide for Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., which followed his stint working on Kari Lake's Arizona Senate bid in 2024. Lake ultimately lost to Democrat challenger Ruben Gallego.Zeller also worked as the campaign manager for Rep. Claudia Tenney, R-N.Y., when she successfully won her 2021 bid to represent New York's 22nd Congressional District by a razor-thin margin of just over 100 votes.Meanwhile, Zeller has spent time as the Executive Director at both the Connecticut and New Hampshire state Republican parties as well.

Im writing today about anger.And Im ticked off about it.I actually think its Americas biggest problem right now. Half the country hates the other half of the country. And vice versa.UTAH VALLEY UNIVERSITY MOURNS CHARLIE KIRK AS CAMPUS REOPENS AFTER ASSASSINATION: 'EXTREMELY TRAUMATIC'There are online mobs ready to pounce on any available target. That could be loathsome human beings, like the remorseless madman who killed Charlie Kirk.Or it could be a deranged person at a lower level, like the crazed, screaming woman who stole a Phillies home run ball from a 10-year-old kid. Or the man who brought his assistant and side squeeze to a Coldplay concert and was outed by the Jumbotron which turned more serious when both were fired.Can a country withstand so much rage?Passion is good. Railing at people you dont know, not so much.The irony is that the vast majority of these people wouldnt say such things to you on the street. Then theyd have to deal with your reaction.But in the dark expanse of social media, they can spew all kinds of garbage, curse like sailors especially if theyre hiding behind screen names. That should be punishable by the death penalty okay, maybe Im getting too worked up here.REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK: CONGRESS FAILS TO LOWER POLITICAL TEMPERATURE AFTER CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSINATIONSome public figures harness anger as a political tool. In private, Donald Trump can be funny and charming. But his constant battleswith the media, law firms, universities, big cities, Democrats, judges, prosecutors, critics, adversaries, allies around the worldare fueled by his sense of grievance. Just read his Truth Social page.I first began covering Trump in New York in the 1980s, and he was the same way. He would pick fights with the likes of Leona Helmsley, knowing it made good copy.But I could also argue that without the contempt he has for people and institutions who stand in his way, the president wouldnt be driven to accomplish all that he has in the past eight months.Elon Musk clearly has the same anger-management issue, having declared "the left" to be "the party of murder."So do such Democrats as Adam Schiff, who relentlessly hammered Kash Patel at a hearing this week, "You want the American people to believe that? Do you think theyre stupid?" And so does the FBI director, "You are the biggest fraud to ever sit in the United States Senate, you are a disgrace to this institution, and an utter coward!"But we all know the game. In our echo-chamber world, you have to be harsher and angrier than the last person to break through the static and have your sound bite featured on cable or X or podcasts. So these institutions reward outrage, faux or otherwise.Silicon Valley giants make their money from engagement, and nothing fosters engagement like pissed-off people.MAN ARRESTED FOR SICKENING ACT AT CHARLIE KIRK MEMORIAL OUTSIDE TURNING POINT HEADQUARTERS IN PHOENIXThe last few Democratic presidents havent been purveyors of anger. (putting aside what theyre like behind closed doors). Joe Biden was so secluded we barely heard from himwe now know whyand was a backslapper and conciliator. Barack Obama was all about the audacity of hope. Bill Clinton ran as a southern moderate against the "brain-dead" politics of both parties.You have to go back to LBJ to find a Democrat who relished beating the crap out of others, based on his years of threats and arm-twisting as Senate majority leader. "Ah got Huberts pecker in my pocket," he would say, and other variations on that quote.He also said this about disloyal lawmakers: "I want him to kiss my ass in Macys window at high noon and tell me it smells like roses."What has been truly sickening, in the wake of Charlie Kirks heartbreaking murder, are the sickos who flooded social media to celebrate his demise.Professors, teachers, journalists and many others have been fired for such conduct, though they had no need to vent their fury online. They didnt know Kirk. Who would want to employ someone so heartless that they dont care about his wife, and the children, 3 and 1, who have to grow up without him?No wonder Im angry. This is disgusting and pathetic.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPPerhaps its no coincidence that this is one of the most famous lines in movie history, delivered by the sweating, wild-eyed anchor played by Peter Finch:"Im mad as hell and Im not going to take this anymore!"

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Dozens of ABC affiliate stations will air a tribute special for Charlie Kirk in Jimmy Kimmel's timeslot on Friday following the liberal host's controversial remarks about the conservative activist's alleged assassin.Sinclair Broadcast Group, which operates 30 ABC affiliates, announced Wednesday it would air a special "in remembrance of Charlie Kirk" after Disney decided to pull "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" indefinitely.Sinclair had joined Nexstar, another owner of ABC affiliates, in pre-empting Kimmel's late-night program before Disney's decision."Mr. Kimmels remarks were inappropriate and deeply insensitive at a critical moment for our country," Sinclair Vice Chairman Jason Smith said in a statement.DISNEY SAYS JIMMY KIMMEL'S SHOW WILL BE PRE-EMPTED INDEFINITELY FOLLOWING CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSINATION COMMENTSSinclair, which has come under criticism from other media outlets for airing right-leaning content, said it would not lift the suspension "until formal discussions are held with ABC regarding the networks commitment to professionalism and accountability.""Sinclair also calls upon Mr. Kimmel to issue a direct apology to the Kirk family. Furthermore, we ask Mr. Kimmel to make a meaningful personal donation to the Kirk family and Turning Point USA," the company stated. "Regardless of ABCs plans for the future of the program, Sinclair intends not to return Jimmy Kimmel Live! to our air until we are confident that appropriate steps have been taken to uphold the standards expected of a national broadcast platform."FCC CHAIR LEVELS THREAT AGAINST ABC, DISNEY AFTER KIMMEL SUGGESTED CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSIN WAS MAGAABC REPORTER CALLS ALLEGED CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSIN'S TEXT MESSAGES TO TRANSGENDER PARTNER VERY TOUCHINGEarlier in the day, Nexstar Media Group announced it was pre-empting "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" on its ABC affiliates."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 pre-empt his show in an effort to let cooler heads prevail as we move toward the resumption of respectful, constructive dialogue."CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST MEDIA AND CULTURE NEWSOn 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.Kimmel received sharp criticism for appearing to suggest the killer was a MAGA supporter. Some of his defenders have suggested he's been taken out of context or mischaracterized.The Hollywood Reporter reported Kimmel was prepared to address the backlash on Wednesday's show and "planned to explain what he said and demonstrate how it was taken out of context." However, Disney took the decision out of his hands.Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr also issued a threat against Disney if it didn't address the controversy. He later welcomed the company's decision.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPPresident Donald Trump and many supporters cheered the decision on Wednesday night, with Trump calling it "great news for America."On the other hand, some on the right questioned whether it was the result of government overreach. Disney's decision to yank Kimmel's program also sparked outrage Wednesday night among liberals."Im not sure who deserves more disdain and disgust: Trump and the FCC for their blatant violation of the Constitution, or Disney and Nexstar for sacrificing their values and folding to a wannabe Mob Boss and his authoritarian goons," Rep. Daniel Goldman, D-N.Y., wrote on X, posting a CNN interview he did on the subject.

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr joined Sean Hannity on Fox News Wednesday night to explain why Jimmy Kimmels late-night TV show was abruptly suspended following backlash over his controversial comments about the assassination of Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk.Carr stressed that broadcast networks like ABC operate with a license that has a "unique obligation to operate in the public interest," unlike cable channels such as CNN."Broadcasters are different than any other form of communication," Carr said, pointing to affiliate groups like Nexstar and Sinclair that announced they would no longer carry "Jimmy Kimmel Live." He argued that local stations acted appropriately, saying they were "standing up to serve the interests of their community.""Over the years, the FCC walked away from enforcing that public interest obligation," Carr said. "I dont think were better off as a country for it."DISNEY SAYS JIMMY KIMMEL'S SHOW 'WILL BE PRE-EMPTED INDEFINITELY' FOLLOWING CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSIN COMMENTSHannity pressed Carr on whether broadcasters had been abusing their licenses by advancing partisan agendas."They went from going for applause, from laugh lines to applause lines. They went from being court jesters that would make fun of everybody in power to being court clerics and enforcing a very narrow political ideology," Carr asserted.Carr pointed to what he described as years of "narrow, partisan circus" programming and said the FCC was working to reinvigorate enforcement of the public interest obligation. He called Nexstar and Sinclairs decisions "unprecedented."FCC CHAIR LEVELS THREAT AGAINST ABC, DISNEY AFTER KIMMEL SUGGESTED CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSIN WAS 'MAGA'"This action today by Nexstar and Sinclair, frankly, it is unprecedented," said Carr. "I cant imagine another time when weve had local broadcasters tell what we call a national programmer like Disney that your content no longer meets the needs and the values of our community."The controversy erupted after Kimmel suggested that conservatives were trying to deflect responsibility from "the MAGA gang" in connection with the arrest of 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, the suspect accused in Charlie Kirks killing.Nexstar, which is awaiting FCC approval on a multibillion-dollar acquisition, announced it would preempt Kimmels show "for the foreseeable future." Hours later, Disney confirmed ABC would suspend the program indefinitely.The ACLU blasted the move, accusing the Trump administration of using federal pressure to silence critics. "This is beyond McCarthyism," said Christopher Anders, the groups democracy and technology director, warning of a "grave threat to our First Amendment freedoms."CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPCarr told Hannity the shift reflected market realities, arguing that late-night shows had alienated broad audiences by prioritizing politics over comedy."You cant avoid ratings," Carr said. "At the end of the day, the market is going to be undefeated."Fox News Digital's Joseph A. Wulfsohn contributed to this report.

Lee Brice paid tribute to Charlie Kirk during one of his shows.During a performance in Clearwater, Florida, Sept. 11, the country music star dedicated his song, "When The Kingdom Comes" to Kirk, telling the crowd that while he usually plays a different song at that point in the show, he wanted to do something for Kirk and "what he so adamantly stood for."In a recent appearance on "The Will Cain Show," Brice explained why he chose to honor Kirk the way he did."The most special songs that I've ever written and what I knew Charlie stood for as far as his faith," he said. "And really, even in all those debates and all the things, he had so much respect, you know, even with college kids, you know, he, he always was, had a Jesus-like manner.ASPIRING MUSICIAN'S CHARLIE KIRK TRIBUTE SONG GOING VIRAL ON SOCIAL MEDIA, LANDS MICHIGAN CAPITOL INVITE"So I said, you know what? I'm going to do this song, and I've only done it live a couple of times in random moments when I just felt the spirit lead kind of and so that was what I wanted to do."And I happened to, I kind of keep some people around to shoot content, and, so, I'm glad they were there, but it wasn't about any of that. It was just about that moment that needed to happen, and I felt like it was the song that if Charlie was here, he would have wanted to hear that song. And he would have loved it and understood what it meant."When it comes to potential backlash from his tribute, Brice admitted, "You don't want to alienate people because you want to love everybody," but "there was zero fear or thought of that."I've had multiple of my guy buddies who don't talk real sweet. You know, we jab each other and that kind of thing. But they sent me these sincere messages going, 'Man, you know, for you to do that, what you did the other night, I just want to commend you because I know you might lose fans or whatever.'"And I thought, you know, for me, if what I did up there and anything I said offend you to the point where you don't like me or you don't want to come to my show that I don't really care if you're at my show or not. But none of that was in my head at the time. All that was in my head was I wanted to take a moment and recognize someone who I know had a heart of God."LIKE WHAT YOURE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSBrice went on to comment on Kirk's bravery, noting he would sit "10 feet in front of college students everyday" and did work that "mattered" and was "special."Kirk was assassinated at an event in Utah last week.The "Hard to Love" singer isn't the only musician who paid tribute to Kirk. Country singer Gavin Adcock led his fans in a chant, yelling "Charlie Kirk" while holding up an American flag during his Sept. 11 concert in Missouri."Jesus loves every single one of you in this place tonight. Charlie Kirk's with Jesus. I want ya'll to say some thoughts and prayers tonight before you go to sleep. When you lay down by yourself or by your loved one, say some prayers for somebody that needs it. I appreciate every single one of y'all. I hope you have a safe trip home," he said before ending his show, per his Instagram post.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTERAdcock appeared on "The Ingraham Angle" Monday, where he let those who thought they were able to silence Kirk know they have "just awoken millions of other people that are not scared to die."CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

A federal immigration judge has ordered Mahmoud Khalil deported to either Algeria or Syria after ruling he hid information on his U.S. green card application.Judge Jamee Comans issued the Sept. 12 decision in Louisiana and said that Khalil did not disclose his internship with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and ties with Columbia University Apartheid Divest, an anti-Israel campus coalition.Court filings unsealed Wednesday and published by the American Civil Liberties Union also show Coman cited the activism ties as central to her ruling.NEWLY RELEASED MAHMOUD KHALIL SPOTTED BACK AT ANTI-ISRAEL PROTEST AT COLUMBIA UNIVERSITYShe denied Khalils motion for relief, writing that the omissions were deliberate and constituted grounds for removal.Federal authorities argue that Khalils misrepresentations involved politically sensitive affiliations, raising both national security and foreign policy concerns.Khalil, a legal permanent resident, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on March 8 at his Manhattan apartment.He spent more than three months in detention in Louisiana before being released in June, when U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz ruled he was neither a flight risk nor a danger to the public.ANTI-ISRAEL RINGLEADER MAHMOUD KHALIL POSTS $1 BOND AFTER FEDERAL JUDGE RULES TRUMP ADMIN CAN'T DETAIN HIMFarbiarz also temporarily blocked Khalils removal while reviewing his claim that the governments actions amounted to retaliation for protected political speech.Khalils legal team confirmed Wednesday that they plan to appeal the decision to the Board of Immigration Appeals. They framed the case as a broader civil rights battle.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP"It is no surprise that the Trump administration continues to retaliate against me for my exercise of free speech," Khalil said in a statement. "Their latest attempt, through a kangaroo immigration court, exposes their true colors once again."Fox News Digital has reached out to the Department of Homeland Security for comment.

Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, said Tuesday critics who believe "Hitler" and "fascist" comparisons contribute to political violence were "absolutely wrong" during an interview on CNN following the assassination of Charlie Kirk."So, Id like to ask you to respond to critics who have pointed the finger at Democrats, who have used phrases like fascist or Hitler, made comparisons to those things over time. Do you think that thats contributed to this, or are those critics wrong?" CNN host Kasie Hunt asked Crockett during her show, "The Arena.""Theyre absolutely wrong," Crockett said. "Heres the reality: They dont want American people to know any forms of history. We know that there was news out today about the president going after yet more historical information.JASMINE CROCKETT DISPARAGES MAGA VOTERS, TRUMP AS 'MOST UNPATRIOTIC PEOPLE'"The reality is that when we look at what is taking place, when you look at an authoritarian, and what they do is they try to basically say you have to do whatever the government says, even if that means that your personal freedoms are going to be subjected to whatever we say, whether its right or wrong. Right now, our personal freedoms are constantly under attack," she said.Kirk was shot and killed Sept. 10 while speaking at an event on a Utah college campus."It seems like violence is okay if it is only because the man that is currently serving in the White House asked for it. Even when we look at ICE officers and what they are doing to those that are accused of violating our law, that is what they think violence is okay for. But then when it ends up happening, and it comes back on the other side, they claim that its because of the Democrats and them using words like fascist," Crockett added.The progressive congresswoman rejected the idea that far-left rhetoric led to Kirks killing, defending her right to refer to President Donald Trump as "wannabe Hitler" during a Friday appearance on "The Breakfast Club."Crockett argued during the Sept. 12 interview that Trump fostered a culture of political violence. While she denounced political violence, she also condemned Republicans for "presuming that [the assassin] is somebody that came from our side of the aisle.""We got to talk about, like that, that is next level," she said. "Me disagreeing with you, me calling you, you know, wannabe Hitler, all those things are, like, not necessarily saying, 'Go out and hurt somebody.' But when you're literally telling people at rallies, 'Yeah, beat them up' and that kind of stuff, you are promoting a culture of violence."CHARLIE KIRK WARNED ASSASSINATION CULTURE IS SPREADING ON THE LEFT IN EERIE ONLINE POST MONTHS BEFORE MURDERCrockett has called Trump an "enemy to the United States."She also referred to him as "Temu Hitler" over the GOP's redistricting efforts in Texas.Kirks assassination has sparked a nationwide conversation about political violence, particularly whether referring to ones opposition as "fascist" or "Hitler" encourages unstable radicals to target them in lone wolf attacks. Investigators said bullet casings found near where Kirk was killed were inscribed with anti-fascist messages.Since the July 2024 assassination attempt on Trump, Republicans have accused members of the media and Democratic opponents of fueling violence by repeatedly comparing him to the Nazi leader.CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURESen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., urged Democrats to stop calling Trump "Hitler" during a CNN interview that aired on Sunday."I think you just dont ever, ever compare anyone to Hitler and those kinds of extreme things," Fetterman said. The interview was conducted before Kirk was confirmed dead but after news broke that he had been shot."Now, look what happened to Charlie Kirk. I mean, you know, the man was shot. Now, we have to turn the temperature down. We cant compare people to these kinds of figures in history. And this is not an autocrat. This is a product of a democratic election," the senator added.Fox News' Alexander Hall contributed to this report.