Democrats React to Charlie Kirk’s Assassination
On Wednesday, congressional Democrats brought up the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot in light of the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA.
Kirk was shot in the neck during a Q&A session at Utah Valley University, with the bullet reportedly fired from 200 yards away. Some prominent Democrats, while condemning political violence, seemed unable to separate their views on the Capitol riots from other acts of violence.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker criticized Trump regarding the rise of political violence in the U.S., especially pointing to the events of January 6. He remarked, “Unfortunately, political violence is escalating in this country. We’ve seen shootings and killings in Minnesota, along with other violent incidents elsewhere, and that has to stop. I believe a lot of this is being fueled by certain rhetoric.” Pritzker pondered on whether the president’s words played a role in this shift towards violence.
California Senator Adam Schiff echoed similar sentiments, linking the Capitol riots to the broader discussion of political violence. He stated, “Today’s tragic killing of Charlie Kirk is part of a troubling pattern of violence. The January 6 insurrection serves as a stark reminder of this ongoing issue.” He later expressed his frustration on Twitter, emphasizing that it’s time for these acts to end.
In a separate event captured on video, Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren dismissed claims that the left is responsible for rising political violence, instead deeming Trump a “leader of rebellion.” She suggested, “Let’s look at the kind of memes he shares, the violent imagery… It’s troubling to see.” Warren called for stricter gun control laws in light of Kirk’s death and criticized Trump’s inflammatory contributions.
Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy reflected on the lasting impact of the January 6 events, stating, “This political violence is a recent memory for us. We’ve seen lives lost, including a state legislator in Minnesota. We need a conversation about what boundaries need to be established.” He pointed to a need for accountability in how Trump’s actions may have shaped a culture that tolerates violence.
The suspect in Kirk’s assassination has yet to be apprehended. FBI Director Kash Patel indicated that an initial person of interest was released after questioning, raising concerns about ongoing threats.
MSNBC analyst Matthew Dowd suggested that Kirk’s rhetoric may have rendered him a target for such violence, a claim that MSNBC later termed “unacceptable” and “insensitive.”
