The attorney general of Missouri is demanding information about a controversial post made by the official city of Kansas City social media account, which disclosed the city of residence of Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker. The post was later deleted, with the account apologizing for the error. Missouri AG Andrew Bailey believes the post was in retaliation for remarks Butker made during a commencement speech at Benedictine College. Bailey accused the city officials of “doxxing” Butker for expressing his religious beliefs and stated that such actions violate the Missouri Human Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination based on religious beliefs. He called on the mayor to turn over communications related to the post.
Butker’s commencement speech included remarks encouraging female graduates to embrace homemaking as a vocation and criticisms of the LGBTQ community and President Biden’s stance on abortion. The National Football League responded to Butker’s views, stating they did not represent the league’s stance. However, Butker has received support from religious conservative figures, including Sen. Josh Hawley, who publicly expressed pride in calling Butker his friend. Conservative media outlets such as The Federalist, National Review, and The Blaze have published articles supporting Butker’s views on women.
Missouri AG Bailey’s press release highlighted the need for transparency regarding the city officials’ decision to target Butker for his religious beliefs. The post, which disclosed Butker’s city of residence, was perceived as an attack on the kicker for his views expressed during the commencement speech. Bailey’s office is seeking information to determine the motives behind the post and whether it was a deliberate act of discrimination against Butker based on his religious beliefs. The mayor’s office has yet to comment on the matter, and further investigation is ongoing.
The controversy surrounding the post made by the official city of Kansas City account sheds light on the sensitive nature of discussing religious beliefs in public forums. Butker’s remarks during the commencement speech sparked a debate on freedom of expression versus discrimination based on religious beliefs. The involvement of the Missouri AG and calls for transparency regarding the motives behind the post underscore the importance of upholding the Missouri Human Rights Act, which prohibits actions taken based on someone’s religious belief. The support Butker received from religious conservative figures demonstrates the divide in public opinion regarding his views on women and other topics.
The reaction to Butker’s remarks by the National Football League and the support he received from religious conservative figures and media outlets highlight the complexities of navigating conversations on religion and beliefs in the public sphere. The incident involving the disclosure of Butker’s city of residence on social media raised questions about privacy and the potential consequences of sharing personal information without permission. The ongoing investigation by the Missouri AG’s office aims to determine the circumstances surrounding the post and whether it was a deliberate act of retaliation against Butker for expressing his religious beliefs. The controversy surrounding Butker’s commencement speech reflects the challenges of discussing sensitive topics in a public forum and the need to balance freedom of expression with respect for diverse beliefs.
