A person in a suit and tie looks serious, facing slightly to the side. The background is blurred

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“And just as the Biden administration seemed desperate to silence people for speaking their minds, so the Trump administration will do precisely the opposite, and I hope that we can work together on that,” Vance said at the Munich Security Conference in February.

@OfTheBraveUSA

“In Washington, there is a new sheriff in town,” he continued at the time. “And under Donald Trump’s leadership, we may disagree with your views, but we will fight to defend your right to offer it in the public square, agree or disagree.”

Man in suit and tie speaking at podium during Munich Security Conference, branded with event logos in the background

Munich Conference

Related: After Charlie Kirk’s Death, Elizabeth Warren’s Statement To A CNN Reporter Is Going Viral

Critics on social media have highlighted the clip following Kimmel’s show being pulled.“Unless you are Jimmy Kimmel. Or anyone else who disagrees with us,” one user wrote Thursday on X, formerly Twitter, with another person commenting: “Guess he changed his mind in substantially fundamental ways that completely shut down free speech.”

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@sdflbb

The suspension of Kimmel’s show has spawned utter outrage from Democratic lawmakers, pundits, and celebrities.

@SenWarren

Related: Stephen Colbert Went Off Script With An “Obvious” Message About Charlie Kirk’s Shooting, And You Need To Watch

Even conservative commentators such as former Fox News host Tucker Carlson decried the apparent blow against free speech as “dark.”

A person in a suit speaks passionately at a podium with hands raised, conveying emphasis or emotion

Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

The move comes after Nexstar Media Group said it would stop airing Kimmel’s show over concerns about his comments. Nexstar is pursuing a major merger with media company Tegna — and needs approval from Trump’s Federal Communications Commission.

A person in a suit smiles while standing behind a podium on a stage, suggesting a television or talk show setting

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The Late Show with Stephen Colbert was notably also canceled earlier this year amid similar plans of a merger, between CBS parent company Paramount Global and Skydance Media. The Trump administration approved it in July after Colbert was officially ousted.

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Related: Jasmine Crockett Just Suggested A Bombshell Accusation Against Trump Regarding The Epstein Files

Vance ramped up his divisive rhetoric after last week’s fatal shooting of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk. He took charge of Kirk’s show on Monday from the White House and urged citizens to report people to their employers for insensitive comments about it.

Two people in suits at an event, one speaking at a microphone while the other looks on skeptically in the background

Alex Wong / Getty Images

His clashing vow to defend free speech in February has thus led critics to speak their mind:

@jeninyounesesq

@johnjharwood

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@odashara94

Related: People Are Applauding AOC’s Viral Comments After Charlie Kirk’s Death

@mike_delights

@sendasteroids

@patbryantx2

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.

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