Fox News host Megyn Kelly on Tuesday night questioned whether a protester in Chicago on Tuesday night should have stared down a police officer, arguing with one of her panelists, radio host Richard Fowler.
Hundreds of Chicagoans took to the streets on Tuesday night to protest the deadly shooting of black 17-year-old Laquan McDonald by a Chicago police officer last year. The video of the shooting was released on Tuesday evening.
During a panel discussion on her show, Kelly interrupted when she saw an image of a man staring at a police officer in Chicago during the protests.
“I just want to jump in as we’re seeing an extraordinary moment. Look what’s happening here,” Kelly said.
Former New York City police Commissioner Bernard Kerik told Kelly, “Listen, you’re going to have guys like this. You know, they want to instigate.”
Richard Fowler jumped in to protest Kerik’s comment and said, “What is he instigating? Bernie, I’m sorry I’ve got to interrupt.”
“But Richard look at him,” Kelly responded. “This is a cop out there accused of doing nothing wrong, trying to keep the peace.”
Fowler said that it was the protester’s First Amendment right.
“This guy is having a silent protest with this police officer,” he said.
“He gets right in his face and stares him down? This cop hasn’t done anything wrong,” Kelly replied.
“You think that’s fine? You have no problem with this?” Kelly later asked Fowler after he maintained that the protester had a right to stare down the officer.
“This is his first amendment right. This biggest problem here is…” Fowler said in response.
“It’s not a question of what his constitutional rights are. It’s a question of what’s appropriate,” Kelly hit back.
Watch the clip via Media Matters:
