Fox Fumbles on Judge Pirro Call [OPINION]

Judge Jeanine Pirro's highly popular program Justice With Judge Jeanine was pulled from the Fox News Channel lineup on Saturday night because the network got weak knees over a question she asked on the program the week before.

The Judge dared question why Representative Ilhan Omar (D-Minnesota), a Muslim, wears a hijab. Rep. Omar, Pirro began, "wears a hijab, which, according to the Quran, 33:59, tells women to cover so they won't get molested. Is her adherence to this Islamic doctrine indicative of her adherence to Sharia law, which in itself is antithetical to the United States Constitution?"

Solid question, no?

The Congress last fall actually waived a 181-year ban on headwear of any type in the House Chamber in order to accommodate Omar, who was sworn in on the Quran. Omar, who was born in Mogadishu, Somalia, tweeted at the time: “No one puts a scarf on my head but me. It’s my choice – one protected by the first amendment. And this is not the last ban I’m going to work to lift.”

Judge Jeanine's Pirro's inquiry is 100 percent legit and she has every right to make it. Fox News, on the other hand, shows cowardice by not defending its hosts when they ask tough questions and raise sensitive issues. It's their job.

Fox has refused to discuss Judge Jeanine Pirro and whether her absence is temporary or permanent. That is also a shame, as loyal viewers deserve better.

When Americans are standing up to the status quo, Fox folds like an accordion to pressure from the politically correct left. Too many talented conservatives have been dismissed from Fox News because the network has not had the guts to defend them.

Once upon a time, you could count on Fox to be "fair and balanced." Those days, unfortunately, are long gone.

Barry Richard is the host of The Barry Richard Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. Contact him at barry@wbsm.com and follow him on Twitter @BarryJRichard58. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.