Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has denounced the Kansas City Mayor's Office for revealing the residence of Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker in a since-deleted social media post, alleging it was a clear act of retaliation for Butker's Christian views expressed in a commencement speech.
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has unleashed a barrage of criticism against the Kansas City Mayor's Office for its alleged "retaliatory" doxxing of Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker. The incident stems from Butker's viral commencement speech at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, earlier this month, where he shared his Catholic beliefs on marriage, motherhood, and the importance of being "unapologetically Catholic."
Bailey, a Republican, argues that Butker is a victim of religious discrimination due to the city's official account on the social media platform X revealing his residence in a now-deleted post. He believes this action was a direct response to Butker's speech, which drew both praise and criticism.
"Butker is the target of discrimination on the basis of his religion. This is a Christian of the Catholic faith who was giving a commencement address at a Catholic university, to an audience that was supportive of the message he was delivering. And the backlash has been discriminatory against him," Bailey told Fox News Digital.
Bailey contends that Butker's speech falls under the protection of the First Amendment and the Missouri Human Rights Act. He is vowing to hold Kansas City officials, including Mayor Quinton Lucas, accountable for the social media post.
"It's retaliation and bullying on behalf of a government official within the municipality of Kansas City," Bailey said.
The attorney general also believes that "the woke left" has its own religion, and that it "seeks to eliminate any market competitor in the marketplace of ideas, and Christianity is a threat to their existence."
Butker's speech ignited a fierce debate, with some condemning his views on marriage and motherhood and others defending his right to express his faith. The NFL distanced itself from Butker's remarks, stating that "his views are not those of the NFL as an organization."
However, elected officials and conservative groups have rallied around Butker, supporting his right to express his religious beliefs. Missouri Senator Josh Hawley and Texas Governor Greg Abbott were among those who praised Butker for his courage in sharing his faith.
Bailey's criticism adds fuel to the ongoing debate surrounding the role of religion and freedom of speech in public discourse. He maintains that the doxxing of Butker was a clear attempt by the left to silence Christian voices and suppress religious expression.
The Kansas City Mayor's Office has not yet responded to Fox News' request for comment on the allegations.
