(The Hill) – A majority of American voters are pessimistic about freedom of speech being protected, according to a poll released Wednesday.

In the survey from Quinnipiac University, 53 percent of respondents said they are “pessimistic” when it comes to freedom of speech being protected in the U.S., while 43 percent said they are "optimistic" and 3 percent were unsure or did not respond. The same poll notes that nearly 80 percent of those surveyed said the U.S. is in a political crisis.

The findings come as controversy swirls over the recent suspension of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel by ABC and its implications for First Amendment protections. The comedian sparked a firestorm with comments made on his show "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" last week regarding responses by President Trump and others on

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