Colbert's Controversial Monologue: Did He Cross Legal Lines?

Stephen Colbert is a well-known American comedian, writer, producer, political commentator, actor, singer, and television host. He is best known for hosting the satirical program The Colbert Report and the CBS talk show The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. In November 2021, Colbert made headlines with his comments on the Kyle Rittenhouse verdict, where the 18-year-old was acquitted on all charges related to the fatal shootings of two men and the injury of another during a riot in Kenosha, Wisconsin. While Colbert stated that he was not a legal expert, he opined that if Rittenhouse didn't break the law, we should change the law, suggesting that the ability to defend oneself should be outlawed. This statement received mixed reactions, with some conservatives, including Texas Senator Ted Cruz, criticizing Colbert's speech as an attack on the right to self-defense.

Stephen Colbert's opinion on the Rittenhouse verdict

On his show, *The Late Show*, Stephen Colbert gave his opinion on the Rittenhouse verdict, stating:

> I’m not a legal expert, so I can’t tell you if Kyle Rittenhouse broke the law. But I can tell you this: if he didn’t break the law, we should change the law.

Colbert went on to criticise Florida congressman Matt Gaetz, who celebrated the verdict on Twitter, saying:

> Of course, Gaetz has a vested interest in juries finding people not guilty, especially when it comes to a 17-year-old who is crossing state lines.

Colbert was referring to a federal investigation into Gaetz for sex trafficking minors.

Colbert's suggestion to criminalise self-defence

Colberts' suggestion to criminalise self-defence

In the wake of the Rittenhouse verdict, Stephen Colbert, host of the Late Show, has come under fire for his comments on the case. Colbert clarified that he is not a legal expert and cannot comment on whether Kyle Rittenhouse broke the law. However, he suggested that if Rittenhouse's actions were not illegal, then the law should be changed to criminalise similar acts in the future.

Colbert's comments were made in reference to the acquittal of Kyle Rittenhouse, who was found not guilty of intentional homicide for shooting three people during anti-racism protests in Kenosha, Wisconsin, in 2020. Rittenhouse was 17 years old at the time and had driven from his home in Illinois with an assault rifle, patrolling the streets after curfew. While Colbert acknowledged that he is not a legal expert, he stated that if Rittenhouse's actions did not break the law, then the law should be changed.

In response to Colbert's comments, some have pointed to cases where individuals who defended themselves against violent attacks were arrested and charged, while actual criminals were freed without bail. For example, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg was criticised for advising the police to charge a parking garage attendant, Moussa Diarra, with attempted murder after he wrestled a gun away from an assailant and shot him. Similarly, Bragg charged a bodega worker, Jose Alba, with murder after he used a knife to fend off a violent felon who attacked him in his store.

The reaction to Rittenhouse's acquittal highlighted the divide between those who support the right to self-defence and those who view it as a crime. While some celebrated the verdict, others, including President Joe Biden and New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, criticised it as a "miscarriage of justice." Colbert's comments added fuel to the debate, with some arguing that his suggestion to criminalise self-defence is a dangerous idea that could lead to further injustices.

Colbert's criticism of Rittenhouse's celebration

On his show, *The Late Show*, Stephen Colbert criticised the celebration of Kyle Rittenhouse's acquittal, saying that "only a complete moron would celebrate this clear tragedy by making this guy a hero". He specifically called out Florida congressman Matt Gaetz, who tweeted "NOT GUILTY!!!!!!!" when the verdict was released. Colbert quipped that Gaetz had a "vested interest in juries finding people not guilty", referring to a federal investigation into the congressman for sex trafficking minors.

Colbert also criticised the GOP for "making a hero" out of Rittenhouse. He argued that if Rittenhouse was not guilty of homicide, then the law should be changed because "the system is clearly broken". Colbert said:

> "Cards on the table: I'm not a legal expert, so I can't tell you whether or not Kyle Rittenhouse broke the law. But I can tell you this: if he didn't break the law, we should change the law."

Colbert's comments sparked backlash from conservatives, including Texas Senator Ted Cruz, who said in a tweet:

> "Rich Democrats believe you have no right to defend yourself from an angry mob. He was being violently attacked by three dangerous felons; a jury of his peers found that Kyle Rittenhouse acted in self-defence. What Colbert is arguing is to outlaw the ability to defend oneself."

Did Colbert Break the Law?

It is unclear whether Colbert broke the law with his comments about Rittenhouse's verdict. However, he has faced criticism and backlash for his inflammatory rhetoric in the past, including homophobic attacks against President Trump.

Colbert's views on the law and legal expertise

Stephen Colbert is an American television host, writer, actor, and comedian. While he is not a legal expert, he has expressed strong views on the law and legal expertise.

Colbert has gained attention for his criticism of the Kyle Rittenhouse verdict, where he questioned the current law and the legal system. Colbert stated that he was not a legal expert and could not comment on whether Rittenhouse broke the law. However, he asserted that if Rittenhouse's actions were not illegal, then the law should be changed. He suggested that the law should criminalize similar acts in the future, implying that the current law allows for dangerous loopholes.

Colbert's comments sparked controversy, particularly among conservatives, who accused him of wanting to outlaw self-defense. Texas Senator Ted Cruz and former Trump advisor Jenna Ellis were among those who criticized Colbert's perspective. Ellis described Colbert as "the type of idiot that suggests outlawing self-defense while hiding behind his armed security."

Colbert's commentary on the Rittenhouse case highlights his belief that the law should be continuously evaluated and improved to ensure it effectively serves and protects the public.

Colbert's comparison of the Rittenhouse verdict to an Emily Post scenario

In November 2021, Stephen Colbert, the host of the satirical show "The Late Show", discussed the acquittal of Kyle Rittenhouse, who was found not guilty of intentional homicide for shooting two people during anti-racism protests in Wisconsin in 2020. While Colbert clarified that he was not a legal expert and could not comment on the verdict, he went on to make a comparison, stating:

> "If Emily Post said it was perfectly proper to go to Thanksgiving, drop trow, and leave your ass print in the pumpkin pie, I'd be like, 'OK, not illegal, but the system is clearly broken.'"

Colbert's comparison alluded to the idea that Rittenhouse's actions, while not necessarily illegal, were inappropriate and indicative of a flawed system. The reference to Emily Post, a well-known authority on etiquette, highlighted the contrast between proper behaviour and the controversial actions of Rittenhouse, which some perceived as vigilantism. Colbert's statement sparked mixed reactions, with some conservatives criticising his perspective on self-defence laws.

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