Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey is demanding information about a post made by the official city of Kansas City social media account regarding Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker’s city of residence, which was later deleted. Bailey accused the city of potentially doxxing Butker in retaliation for remarks he made during a commencement speech at Benedictine College, in which he expressed controversial views on women’s roles, the LGBTQ community, and President Biden’s stance on abortion. The post was deemed a possible violation of the Missouri Human Rights Act, which prohibits actions based on religious belief.
Bailey called for transparency from Kansas City officials and asked for all communications related to the post to be turned over. The city’s apology for the post was seen as insufficient by Bailey, who viewed it as a form of religious discrimination against Butker. The attorney general’s office is taking the matter seriously and will not tolerate such actions from city officials. The post’s removal was not enough to quell the controversy surrounding the incident, with calls for further investigation and accountability from the mayor’s office.
Butker’s remarks at the commencement speech had raised eyebrows, including telling female graduates to embrace their role as “homemakers” and criticizing various groups and individuals. Despite the backlash from the National Football League for his views not aligning with the league’s values, Butker found support from religious conservative figures such as Sen. Josh Hawley, who shared a photo of himself with the kicker on social media. Conservative media outlets also defended Butker’s views, with articles published in support of his statements on women.
The situation surrounding the controversial post on social media has brought attention to religious discrimination and freedom of expression in the public sphere. Critics argue that Butker was unfairly targeted for expressing his beliefs, while others believe that public figures such as Butker should be held accountable for their words and actions. The incident has sparked a debate on the boundaries of free speech and how individuals in positions of influence should navigate expressing personal views that may be controversial or divisive. The aftermath of the post is likely to have lasting implications for how public figures engage with social media and navigate discussions on sensitive topics.
The response from Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey reflects a broader concern about protecting individuals from discrimination based on their beliefs, whether religious or otherwise. The demand for accountability from city officials in Kansas City underscores the importance of upholding laws and regulations that safeguard individuals’ rights and prevent discriminatory actions in the public sphere. The incident involving Harrison Butker sheds light on the complex intersection of personal beliefs, freedom of expression, and social media use in a digital age where information can spread quickly and have far-reaching consequences. As the situation continues to unfold, it serves as a reminder of the challenges and responsibilities that come with communicating in a public forum, especially for individuals in positions of influence or authority.
