WASHINGTON—Political leaders throughout the USA condemned the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, who was killed at Utah Valley College on Sept. 10.
Kirk, founding father of conservative youth group Turning Level USA (TPUSA) and a frequent speaker at college campuses, was shot within the neck whereas talking outside to a crowd of college college students. He was rushed off the stage to a hospital by police and his private safety, the place he later died of his accidents.
Kirk’s loss of life was confirmed by an announcement from his group. “Charles James Kirk has been murdered by gunshot,” wrote TPUSA in an announcement. “Might he be acquired into the loving arms of our Savior, who suffered and died for Charlie,” they added, referring to Jesus Christ and Kirk’s Christian religion, which he publicly professed.
Shortly after the information of his capturing, and later of his loss of life, high-ranking politicians and commentators from each political events issued expressions of condolence and condemnations of the incident, in addition to of political violence basically.
“The Nice, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is useless,” announced President Donald Trump on social media. “Nobody understood or had the Coronary heart of the Youth in the USA of America higher than Charlie. He was liked and admired by ALL, particularly me, and now, he’s not with us. Melania and my Sympathies exit to his lovely spouse Erika, and household. Charlie, we love you!” he added. Trump himself survived two assassination makes an attempt throughout the 2024 election.
Vice President JD Vance wrote in response to Trump’s assertion: “Everlasting relaxation grant unto him, O Lord.”
US Presidents, British PMs, Netanyahu Situation Statements
All dwelling former U.S. presidents, in addition to a number of international leaders, chimed in to supply their condolences and condemnation.
“I’m saddened and angered by Charlie Kirk’s homicide,” wrote former President Invoice Clinton. “I hope all of us undergo some severe introspection and redouble our efforts to interact in debate passionately, but peacefully.
“Hillary and I are retaining Erika, their two younger kids, and their household in our prayers,” wrote the forty second U.S. President, who was in workplace on the time of Kirk’s delivery on Oct. 14, 1993.
“At this time, a younger man was murdered in chilly blood whereas expressing his political opinions. It occurred on a university campus, the place the open alternate of opposing concepts must be sacrosanct,” wrote former President George W. Bush in an announcement launched by The Bush Presidential Heart.
“Members of different political events aren’t our enemies; they’re our fellow residents. Might God bless Charlie Kirk and his household, and will God information America towards civility,” Bush mentioned.
“We don’t but know what motivated the one that shot and killed Charlie Kirk, however this type of despicable violence has no place in our democracy. Michelle and I might be praying for Charlie’s household tonight, particularly his spouse Erika and their two younger kids,” wrote former President Barack Obama on social media platform Threads.
Former President Joe Biden wrote on X: “There isn’t a place in our nation for this type of violence. It should finish now. Jill and I are praying for Charlie Kirk’s household and family members.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wrote on X that Kirk “was murdered for talking fact and defending freedom.”
“A lion-hearted pal of Israel, he fought the lies and stood tall for Judeo-Christian civilization.
“I spoke to him solely two weeks in the past and invited him to Israel,” Netanyahu added. “Sadly, that go to won’t happen. We misplaced an unimaginable human being. His boundless pleasure in America and his valiant perception in free speech will depart an enduring impression. Relaxation in peace, Charlie Kirk.”
A minimum of two UK Prime Ministers additionally publicly commented on the homicide.
“My ideas this night are with the family members of Charlie Kirk. It’s heartbreaking {that a} younger household has been robbed of a father and a husband,” wrote incumbent Prime Minister Keir Starmer on X. “We should all be free to debate brazenly and freely with out worry—there may be no justification for political violence.”
Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson wrote on X: “The homicide of Charlie Kirk is a tragedy, and an indication of the utter desperation and cowardice of those that couldn’t defeat him in argument.
“He has been killed for saying issues that was easy frequent sense,” Johnson mentioned. “He has been killed as a result of he had the braveness to face up publicly for affordable opinions held by hundreds of thousands and hundreds of thousands of abnormal folks each within the US and Britain. The world has a shining new martyr to free speech. Our ideas and prayers are along with his household and family members.”
US Officers Condemn Killing
The leaders’ tributes and condemnation of the assault have been amongst a whole lot of messages, together with from members of Congress and administration officers.
“We ask everybody to wish for him and his household,” mentioned Home Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on the U.S. Capitol, shortly earlier than main the U.S. Home of Representatives in a second of silence. “That is detestable what’s occurred. Political violence has grow to be all too frequent in American society, and this isn’t who we’re. It violates the core rules of our nation.”
“There isn’t a place in our nation for political violence. Interval, full cease. Please be a part of me in praying for Charlie Kirk,” wrote Senate Majority Chief John Thune (R-S.D.).
“Relaxation in Peace, Charlie Kirk. Casey and I are praying for his household. Charlie was a warrior for liberty, and his homicide is a tragedy for our nation,” wrote Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.).
“As soon as once more, a bullet has silenced probably the most eloquent fact teller of an period,” wrote Well being and Human Providers Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., whose father—Democratic presidential candidate and U.S. Sen. Robert F. Kennedy (D-N.Y.)—was assassinated in 1968, and whose uncle, President John F. Kennedy, was assassinated on Nov. 22, 1963.
Democrats Denounce Political and Gun Violence
Many Democrats and progressive political commentators additionally expressed dismay.
“The assault on Charlie Kirk is disgusting, vile, and reprehensible. In the USA of America, we should reject political violence in EVERY type,” wrote California Gov. Gavin Newsom on X. Newsom made headlines earlier this 12 months when he invited Kirk to be the inaugural visitor on his podcast, “That is Gavin Newsom,” the place they discussed political variations between Democrats and Republicans.
“The scourge of gun violence and political violence should finish. The capturing of Charlie Kirk is the newest incident of this chaos and it should cease. We can’t go down this street,” wrote U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) on X.
Former Home Speaker and Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), whose husband Paul was attacked of their San Francisco dwelling in 2022, wrote on X: “The horrific capturing at present at Utah Valley College is reprehensible. Political violence has completely no place in our nation.”
Former Vice President Kamala Harris wrote on X that she was “deeply disturbed by the capturing in Utah.”
“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 mentioned.
New York State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani (D-Astoria), the Democratic nominee and present polling chief within the 2025 New York Metropolis mayoral election, wrote on X: “I’m horrified by the capturing of Charlie Kirk at a university occasion in Utah. Political violence has no place in our nation.”
Mehdi Hasan, a British-American progressive commentator who has usually criticized Kirk’s positions on varied points, wrote on X: “Horrific information out of Utah … Political violence, and gun violence, isn’t acceptable, excusable, or justifiable.”
Even earlier than the information of his loss of life, many well-wishers expressed the gravity of the scenario, noting that the shot hit a susceptible a part of Kirk’s physique.
“The shot regarded actual dangerous, however I positive hope Charlie makes it someway,” wrote Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, who can be the chief chairman of X.
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