Fox News host and Daily Caller co-founder Tucker Carlson argued on Wednesday’s broadcast of “Fox & Friends” that Americans should “think really strongly about civil disobedience” to resist mask mandates and further COVID-19 restrictions.
“If a law is unjust, if it’s designed to hurt people who are innocent, rather than protect the innocent, then, you know, you have to think really strongly about civil disobedience,” Carlson told hosts Brian Kilmeade, Steve Doocy and Ainsley Earhardt.
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“They’re forcing you to violate your conscience, to hurt yourself or your children, you know, in what sense [are] you obligated to obey that?” Carlson argued. “I mean, they’re pushing this so far, especially in the mask question and there’s a ton of evidence that masks hurt kids.” (RELATED: ‘They’re Laughing At You And Mocking You’: Candace Owens Blasts ‘Liberal Elites’ Over COVID Restrictions, Mask Mandates)
Carlson claimed that there is no evidence that “kids benefit from masks” and suggested that if the authorities cannot justify a policy, their decisions put parents in a “very tough spot.” He argued that although he wants to follow the law, he doesn’t think children should be put in danger to allegedly “satisfy [a] political narrative.”
Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, speaks to Rochelle Walensky, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on July 20, 2021. (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Carlson also objected to White House chief medical advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci, who argued on MSNBC Tuesday that while he knows Americans have always enjoyed their individual freedom, the life-threatening coronavirus might take precedent over that consideration, making vaccine mandates necessary. Fauci also indicated he was in favor of mandatory vaccines for teachers, schools, colleges and universities because the Delta variant has made the current health environment “critical.”
“Why are we listening to Anthony Fauci?” Carlson asked, claiming he was “thoroughly discredited and adding that although Americans cannot “force a congressional investigation or an indictment,” they can simply ignore his advice.
Although seven states are pushing back on mask mandates in schools, several school boards in Texas are defying Republican Gov. Greg Abbott’s executive order that schools not insist students wear masks. Districts in Dallas and Austin announced Monday that students and staff will be required to wear masks due to the spread of the Delta variant, as previously reported.
Whether kids should wear masks amid the spread of coronavirus has been the source of heated debate. Some proponents argue that kids can spread COVID-19 even if they are generally safe from illness or if they are asymptomatic. However, opponents claim it is not necessary because the masks could be harmful to a child’s mental health and development.