Defending Protected Speech from Federal Executive Branch Overreach

As a proud resident of Utah, I am writing to you today with an urgent concern about a recent and disturbing instance of federal government overreach that directly threatens the First Amendment. I am referring to the actions of Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr, who used his office to pressure a private media company, ABC, to cancel a television show hosted by Jimmy Kimmel. This is not a matter of a host's political views or the content of his jokes; it is an issue of the federal government attempting to use its regulatory power to censor protected speech. The FCC is expressly prohibited from censorship. Chairman Carr's public threats of regulatory consequences for a network that airs content he dislikes sets a dangerous precedent, creating a chilling effect that could silence any voice that offends those in power. Utah has a strong tradition of standing up for individual liberties and against federal overreach. Our state's history and current laws demonstrate a commitment to protecting free expression, as seen in legislation like the Utah Constitutional Sovereignty Act and our robust anti-SLAPP laws. This incident with the FCC is a clear example of the kind of unconstitutional overreach that our state must resist. I urge you to use your position as an elected official representing the Citizens of Utah to take a firm stand against this behavior. I ask that you: * Condemn Chairman Carr's actions publicly and articulate Utah's commitment to the First Amendment. * Explore joining with other states to challenge this federal executive branch overreach. A coordinated, multi-state effort would send a powerful message that the states will not tolerate the federal government using its power to police speech. * Sponsor or support legislation that reinforces Utah's position on protected speech and clarifies that the state will not enforce any federal regulations that are used to infringe upon free expression. This could include a resolution or a bill that formalizes our state's opposition to such censorship. The protection of free speech is not a partisan issue; it is a foundational principle of our republic. The integrity of our democratic process and the rights of every Utahn depend on our ability to speak without fear of government retaliation. Thank you for your service and for your attention to this critical matter. I trust that you will act decisively to defend the liberties of your constituents and uphold the principles upon which our state was founded.