Megyn Kelly defends NFL protests

One day after new NBC daytime host Megyn Kelly said she was “done with politics for now,” the former Fox News anchor weighed in on NFL players protesting police brutality and racial injustice by kneeling during the national anthem — an action President Donald Trump has spent the last five days attacking in speeches and on Twitter.

“I have a different take on that whole situation with the NFL,” Kelly said on Tuesday’s TODAY show. “I practiced law for nine years and I am a lover of the First Amendment. And I think, in a way, this whole situation underscores some of the beauty of our country. Because those players have every right to take a knee. And those who object to it have every right to say they object. Whether it’s to stand shoulder to shoulder or to boycott. That’s America, right?”

Kelly’s comments are in stark contrast to what President Trump has said about the issue. “The NFL has all sorts of rules and regulations. The only way out for them is to set a rule that you can’t kneel during our National Anthem!” Trump wrote on Tuesday, one of a number of tweets the president has posted over the last week. Trump also posted that “sports fans should never condone players that do not stand proud for their National Anthem or their Country. NFL should change policy!”

Said Kelly on Tuesday: “I believe the fundamental principle, the bedrock of the First Amendment is the answer to speech we do not like is not less speech, it’s more speech.” She added, “I just sort of think, ‘Go USA.’ That’s my feeling watching it.”