5 Christians pushing back against Pam Bondi's 'hate speech' comments

2. Tony Perkins

Tony Perkins, president of the socially conservative advocacy organization, Family Research Council, expressed concern about Bondi’s comments in an X post on Sept. 17. As he shared a link to a Wall Street Journal opinion piece, titled “Pam Bondi Needs a Free Speech Tutorial,” Perkins remarked, “The pushback against AG Bondi’s comments on ‘hate speech’ is encouraging.” 

“The First Amendment is a hallmark of American liberty. As constitutional conservatives, we defend it,” he wrote. “We may detest some speech, but in America, speech is free. Period. You have a right to be wrong in what you say; you do not have a right to threaten violence. That’s the bright line for government action.” 

Perkins concluded by urging the administration not to “drift the way of parts of Europe, where freedom has eroded so far that authorities have even pursued citizens for silent prayer.” Perkins also shared a link to a satirical article by The Babylon Bee, titled “Pam Bondi Honors Charlie Kirk’s Legacy By Doing Exact Opposite Of Charlie Kirk,” which reflects Kirk’s steadfast support for free speech.