As protests raged in Kenosha, Wisconsin against the shooting of Jacob Blake by police in front of his children, 17 year old Trump supporter Kyle Rittenhouse traveled across state lines with a military style assault weapon, claiming he wanted to protect businesses from protesters.
Rittenhouse ended up killing two people and injuring a third before approaching police with his weapon. The officers permitted him to leave the scene and it wasn't until the following day that he was arrested at his home in Illinois.
Multiple on-air personalities at the conservative Fox News network have leapt to defend Rittenhouse's actions, claiming they were in self defense.
Far-right Fox host Tucker Carlson attempted to justify the murders and on Thursday, panelists on Fox's Outnumbered did the same.
Watch below.
More justification of vigilante justice on Fox News
Pavlich: "I have to say on the argument of vigilante justice, when you have no police around to defend businesses and people who are being attacked ... then there is a void that is filled" pic.twitter.com/6W8DSMyW6S
— Lis Power (@LisPower1) August 27, 2020
Fox News contributor Katie Pavlich implied the shooting was justified due to what she claimed was a lack of police presence:
"I have to say on the argument of vigilante justice, when you have no police around to defend businesses and people who are being attacked and their livelihoods burned to the ground, then there is a void that is filled."
Fox host Chris Wallace ruffled feathers when he pushed back against the claim.
Wallace pushes back in the next segment
"I've got to push back ... there seemed to be the implication that somehow vigilante justice was understandable or justified by the lack of sufficient police action ... you were saying it filled a void, I don't think that's right" pic.twitter.com/MuWTi4Rio9
— Lis Power (@LisPower1) August 27, 2020
Wallace said:
"I've got to push back ... there seemed to be the implication that somehow vigilante justice was understandable or justified by the lack of sufficient police action ... Vigilante justice is a completely inappropriate response to the rioting on the street...and vigilante justice is a crime and should be punished as a crime."
As panelists balked, Wallace continued:
"You were saying it filled a void, I don't think that's right"
Many Twitter users sided with Wallace.
When the shooter actually walked right by the police after having killed people, it kind of blows a whole in the theory that there was a lack of police at the protests.
— coming up for air (@ComingAir) August 27, 2020
The backpedaling once Chris was like: wtf?! pic.twitter.com/DA5Y4M4zwc
— Kevin Dua (he/him/his) (@kevindua) August 27, 2020
lol the cops were there. they let white teen boys run around on the street after curfew with ARs
— REVENGE OF THE GIANT FACE (@TrumpCancel) August 27, 2020
And they decried Fox News' coverage of the murders.
My son asked me last night, "How are they able to say this stuff?" I have no answer. Don't throw free speech at me. This is an organization that poses as NEWS. I think *all* NEWS organizations should report FACTS. If they want to voice opinions, make separate opinion shows. imho
— Terry 😷 (@Terrysan) August 27, 2020
Figures they would defend this ass hat playing 'hero'.
— Dustin Fike (@DatDustbunny) August 27, 2020
Highly irresponsible journalists and I loathe to even call them that. Fox news should be ashamed; there should be accountability for this dangerous rhetoric. Btw - I would absolutely feel the same way if it was any other news outlet.
— c. greene (@cgreene83966577) August 27, 2020
It's official. Fox News supports domestic terrorism. They can't say they don't after this. It's out in the open now.
— Buzzy Cavenaugh (@BuzzyCavenaugh) August 27, 2020
This is why @FoxNews should never be referred to as a "news" network.
— The GOP is no more. (@oldbob_kelly) August 26, 2020
Hey @FoxNews. This would be a good time to issue a retraction and an apology.
— Rein Kahlke (@ReinKahlke) August 26, 2020
