Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)

Protesters target home of Fox News’ Tucker Carlson

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Police say they are investigat­ing a protest and vandalism at the home of Fox News host Tucker Carlson as a possible hate crime. It’s the latest example of protesters targeting the personal lives of Trump administra­tion officials and allies in the D.C. area.

Washington’s Metropolit­an Police Department reported that officers were summoned to Carlson’s home Wednesday evening and found about 20 protesters and a commonly used anarchy symbol spray-painted on the driveway.

A brief video posted on social media by a group calling itself “Smash Racism DC” shows people standing outside a darkened home chanting “Tucker Carlson we will fight. We know where you sleep at night.”

The video was later removed from Twitter.

There were no arrests, but police confiscate­d several signs. The report lists the incident as a “suspected hate crime” on the basis of “anti-political” bias.

The Metropolit­an Police said in a statement they welcome and support all expression­s of free speech and First Amendment rights, but that “defacing private property” is an obvious violation.

“We will work to hold those accountabl­e for their unlawful actions. There is currently an open criminal investigat­ion regarding this matter,” the statement said.

Carlson has been a major supporter of President Donald Trump and his policies. In recent months, White House spokeswoma­n Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen and Republican Sen. Ted Cruz were all either refused service or berated by protesters in area restaurant­s.

Wednesday’s incident prompted reactions from across the political spectrum.

A statement released by Fox News called it “reprehensi­ble” and called for more civil discourse at a time of intense political polarizati­on.

“We as a nation have become far too intolerant of different points of view,” the statement said. “Recent events across our country clearly highlight the need for a more civil, respectful, and inclusive national conversati­on.”

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