WASHINGTON — Prime Republicans and Democrats largely coalesced to mourn conservative activist Charlie Kirk and condemn politically motivated violence after he was shot and killed Wednesday at a Turning Level USA occasion at Utah Valley College.
Calling Kirk “nice, and even legendary,” President Donald Trump introduced his dying on Fact Social on Wednesday afternoon.
“Nobody understood or had the Coronary heart of the Youth in the US of America higher than Charlie,” Trump wrote. “He was liked and admired by ALL.”
White Home officers had huddled earlier within the afternoon as they tried to acquire extra info on the taking pictures and Kirk’s situation, a way of shock permeating a constructing the place Kirk, 31, was well-respected and seen as a robust ally of Trump’s. At the least one expletive could possibly be heard as officers shut the door to the room the place they gathered.
After Kirk’s dying was introduced, flags above the White Home have been lowered to half-staff. Eric Trump, the president’s son, additionally stated flags can be flown at half-staff in any respect Trump properties.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat and frequent Trump critic who hosted Kirk on his podcast this 12 months, decried the taking pictures on X shortly after it occurred.
“The assault on Charlie Kirk is disgusting, vile, and reprehensible,” Newsom wrote. “In the US of America, we should reject political violence in EVERY type.”
Kirk, who co-founded Turning Level, which organizes and mobilizes younger conservative activists, died after he was rushed to a hospital. He had been talking about mass taking pictures incidents involving trans individuals when he was shot within the neck. Ugly video of the assault rapidly proliferated on social media.
Whereas some politicians used the taking pictures to make political factors — together with Republicans accusing liberals of inciting violence with rhetoric and Democrats arguing for tighter gun rules — most caught to extra unifying messages providing prayers for Kirk and his household, condemnations of violence or each.
Vice President JD Vance posted a prayer on X: “Everlasting relaxation grant unto him, O Lord.” In an earlier message, despatched shortly after Kirk was shot, he praised Kirk for participating in open dialog with allies and critics alike.
“If you happen to really watch Charlie’s occasions — versus the faux summaries — they’re one of many few locations with open and sincere dialogue between left and proper,” Vance wrote. “He would reply any query and discuss to everybody.”
Former Vice President Kamala Harris, the 2024 Democratic nominee for president, wrote on X: “I’m deeply disturbed by the taking pictures in Utah. Doug and I ship our prayers to Charlie Kirk and his household.
“Let me be clear: Political violence has no place in America. I condemn this act, and all of us should work collectively to make sure this doesn’t result in extra violence,” she added.
Within the instant aftermath, it was not clear who shot Kirk. However some elected officers and distinguished figures have been fast to level fingers and attempt to rating political factors.
“Conservative, liberal, no matter you might be, you shouldn’t be shot in your beliefs,” Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., advised NBC Information. “And I hope that each single Democrat throughout the nation will get up and acknowledge that they’ve an issue inside their get together.”
Mace rejected the concept Republicans is perhaps equally accountable for the killing of Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman, a Democrat, in June.
“Some raging leftist lunatic put a bullet via [Kirk’s] neck, and also you need to discuss Republicans proper now?” she stated. “No. No, in no way. No that is on — the Democrats personal this.”
Equally, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., who credited Kirk with getting her engaged in politics, blamed progressives and the media for his dying.
“EVERY DAMN ONE OF YOU WHO CALLED US FASCISTS DID THIS,” she wrote on X. “You have been too busy popping up children, reducing off their genitals, inciting racial violence by supporting orgs that exploit minorities, defending criminals, and stirring hate. YOU ARE THE HATE you declare to battle. Your phrases brought on this. Your hate brought on this.”
Billionaire Elon Musk, a former Trump administration official and the proprietor of X, wrote, “The Left is the get together of homicide.” He posted the message earlier than Kirk’s dying was confirmed.
Some main Democrats denounced gun violence within the hours after Kirk’s taking pictures, amplifying their long-articulated view that firearms needs to be extra closely regulated, whereas others stayed away from political and coverage pronouncements.
“Condemning one other completely disgraceful act of gun violence,” Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., wrote on X. “My ideas & prayers are w/ Charlie Kirk & his household on this horrible second & we’re all grateful for first responders who instantly jumped into motion.”
Likewise, former Rep. Gabby Giffords, D-Arizona, who survived an assassination try greater than a decade in the past and who runs an eponymous nonprofit group devoted to ending gun violence, pointed to the truth that figures on the left and the correct have been shot and killed this 12 months.
“This summer time, America has seen a number of politically-motivated assassinations — first of a Democratic legislator, now of a Republican activist — as a result of harmful individuals turned to weapons to specific their disagreements,” Giffords stated in an announcement. “Each events have been focused, and each events share an ethical and patriotic responsibility to take significant motion to cease gun crime from claiming extra lives.”
Trump survived an assassination try at a marketing campaign rally in Pennsylvania in July 2024 after a sniper’s bullet hit him within the ear. In a separate incident, a person accused of making an attempt to assassinate him at considered one of his golf golf equipment in September 2024, is on trial in Florida.
The Republican governor of Utah, the place Kirk was killed, and the Democratic governor of Arizona, the place he lived, known as, respectively, for justice and calm.
“Working with the FBI and Utah regulation enforcement, we’ll convey to justice the person accountable for this tragedy,” Utah Gov. Spencer Cox stated after having spoken to Trump.
“This tragedy just isn’t about who Charlie Kirk supported politically,” Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs stated. “It’s concerning the devastating lack of a father, a neighbor, and an Arizonan who known as this state residence, and whose life was reduce quick by mindless violence. We should stand collectively in rejecting violence, reducing the temperature of our politics, and recommitting ourselves to the values of civility, respect, and neighborhood that American democracy requires.”
