Rep. Mike Honda (D-CA) said Tuesday that he believes Fox News host Bob Beckel deserves to keep his job after apologizing for using the ethnic slur “Chinamen” on air.
A day earlier, Honda had called for Fox News to fire Beckel after the network’s token liberal used the slur last week during a tirade about Chinese immigrants.
Beckel apologized during Monday’s episode of “The Five,” which he co-hosts.
“I made some comments last week about Chinese people which apparently upset some people for which I apologize,” Beckel said.
Beyond that statement, though, Beckel wasn’t contrite. He went on to say that he would not apologize for the specific things he said about China “because there are too many China apologists in this country.”
Honda said Tuesday in a statement emailed to TPM that he appreciated Beckel’s apology. When asked to clarify whether he still wanted Beckel to either be fired from the network or resign, Honda said that depended on the host’s conduct going forward.
“If he refrains from using derogatory and racist terms, and engages in an informed discussion of the issues, then he should keep his job,” the congressman said in another emailed statement. “If he continues to use slurs like these, however, then Fox News should end his employment.”
California state Sen. Ted Lieu (D), a candidate for U.S. Congress, and Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA) had also called for Beckel’s resignation over the weekend.
