Kirk's killing sparks calls for unity — and deepens political divides

Lawmakers and public officials on both sides of the political aisle called for unity and an easing of rhetoric following the killing of Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk as the most recent act in a trend of political violence.The big picture: Kirk's fatal shooting was widely condemned by a bipartisan chorus, including every living U.S. president. But while some on the Hill encouraged civility, Kirk's killing poured fuel on an already hostile political divide for others.But Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, a Republican who has become a measured voice of the investigation into Kirk's killing, has urged Americans to resist "rage" in the wake of the shooting.Driving the news: Cox said on CNN's "State of the Union" that the country does not need to "sing Kumbaya and hold hands" — but rather, people must continue to engage with those with whom they disagree.He urged accountability for social media platforms stoking outrage and for Americans to claim their "agency.""If we're waiting for a president or a governor to get us ... out of this dark chapter, then it will never happen," he said, adding, "every one of us has to look in the mirror and decide, are we going to try to make it better, or are we going to make it worse?"The intrigue: Several lawmakers, like Cox, called for action to curb the acceleration of extremism in online spaces."It's driving us apart left and right," said Sen. Chris Coons (D-Ill.) on CBS News' "Face the Nation," saying Republican leaders "have an obligation and an opportunity to join with leaders from my party in urging folks to set aside any thought of political violence and to respect each other even as we keep advancing our political differences through discourse."On Capitol Hill, there has been soul-searching underway on both sides of the aisle, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said on "Fox News Sunday.""Members of Congress and all public officials have an obligation to speak clearly into this and calm the waters," he said. Zoom in: Several legislators have echoed that call for de-escalation. Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.), appearing on CNN Sunday, said it should be a "basic principle" that "when there is a fire, you pour water on it, not gasoline."Responding to top Trump aide Stephen Miller calling the Democratic party a "domestic extremist organization" last month, Lankford said that "just believing differently than some other American is not illegal."He continued, "That's America. We don't all agree as next-door neighbors on different things, but it is very different to try to plan, strategize, to be able to carry out an act of violence."Sen. John Curtis (R-Utah) emphasized on ABC's "This Week" that radical ideology on either end of the political spectrum is "not healthy," saying, "To me, this is not right. This is not left. We're talking about radicals. That's where we need to put our attention."Yes, but: Sunday's bipartisan messaging stands in contrast with President Trump's words following Kirk's killing.On Wednesday, he accused the "radical left" of airing rhetoric "directly responsible for the terrorism that we're seeing in our country today" — before law enforcement had named a suspect or established a motive.In a statement Sunday, the White House backed Trump's words, saying the president is "right – for years, radical leftists have slandered their political opponents as Nazis and Fascists, inspiring left-wing violence against conservatives." "It's shameful that Democrats are pretending to care about 'unity' while, in the same breath, attacking the president for speaking the truth about this rather than calling in their own colleagues and supporters to tone down their rhetoric," the statement continued.Zoom out: Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) — the husband of former Rep. Gabby Giffords, who was shot at a constituent event in 2011 — urged public officials so be "very careful" about their words. "This isn't like one party committing all the violence against the other. I mean, this is clearly a pervasive issue in our country." He said.And "if we don't collectively try to come together to fix it," Kelly said, "I think it can get worse."Go deeper: Chaos erupts on House floor over Charlie Kirk shooting

Comments

World news

Florida attorney general says cops should stop enforcing open carry gun ban after court ruling

Independent

Comments

Similar News

Man arrested for allegedly vandalizing Charlie Kirk memorial in Arizona

Washington Post columnist says she was fired over her ‘unacceptable’ Charlie Kirk social media posts

Charlie Kirk suspect Tyler Robinson 'wrote a note saying he was going to take out' MAGA influencer

Emmys stay silent on Charlie Kirk shooting with no mention at ceremony

Why Charlie Kirk chose to talk with young people at universities

Charlie Kirk was more than a conservative activist

Emmys stars' deafening silence over Charlie Kirk's murder... while showing support for Gaza with keffiyehs and 'Free Palestine' speeches and condemning Trump immigration crackdown

JD Vance to host ‘The Charlie Kirk Show’ from the White House in tribute to murdered friend

Tulsi Gabbard compares Charlie Kirk’s killing to 9/11 at Kennedy Center memorial

Charlie Kirk shooting suspect joked 'doppelganger' killed Donald Trump ally, messages reveal

Scoop: Congressman wants to use drones to stop assassinations after Charlie Kirk shooting

Workers are being fired for comments about Charlie Kirk’s death

New video shows Charlie Kirk murder suspect Tyler Robinson ‘stalking Utah campus’ hours before shooting: Live

US campuses seek a safe space for debate after Charlie Kirk’s murder

In the US, political violence is not new. But the reaction to Charlie Kirk’s murder is

Kash Patel vowed to take on the ‘deep state’ at the FBI. Now he’s in the hot seat as he preps testimony over Charlie Kirk investigation

Utah senator urges Democrats to give vengeful conservatives ‘grace’ after Charlie Kirk’s death

Conrad Black: I was with Trump when Charlie Kirk died. He grieved like a leader

Trump officials reportedly ask Congress for $58m in security after Kirk shooting

Charlie Kirk shooting suspect was on the left but motive still unclear, Utah governor says

World news

Florida attorney general says cops should stop enforcing open carry gun ban after court ruling

Russia shows off conventional and nuclear military might in drills — and raises tensions with NATO

Tyson Foods to eliminate high-fructose corn syrup in brands like Jimmy Dean and Hillshire Farm

A new Ebola outbreak has been declared. Here’s what we know

Luigi Mangione due in court amid double jeopardy fight in UnitedHealthcare CEO’s killing

How hands-off investing could have made you six times more than saving this year

‘I fought in Afghanistan but faulty earplugs left me with physical and mental scars’

Birmingham City and the battle of ambition vs tradition

I’m a first-time buyer – why does being self-employed mean I can borrow less?

Canada’s friendly seafood capital with a road trip and vineyards nearby

Sorry book snobs – Richard Osman’s The Impossible Fortune is a delight

Trump’s Tariffs Start to Bite in Vietnam

ADHD and bipolar patients face medicine delays – even when drugs are in stock

My Man Utd XI to save Amorim’s job – with three major changes

Please stop suggesting a date night – I’d rather you unblock the drain

DWP imposes ‘gagging order’ on disability experts ahead of PIP review

"Not welcome": Rubio says U.S. is deporting visa holders who celebrated Kirk's death

What to know about the US deportations to non-citizen African countries

Photos show how an Indonesian motorbike mechanic became a macaw trainer

Polls open in Malawi’s presidential and parliamentary elections

Trump World’s Deals With the U.A.E.

‘Squid Game’ Star Lee Jung-jae Talks About Korean Fan Culture

President Trump’s State Visit to the UK: What to Know

National park to remove exhibit of famed photograph showing former slave’s scarred back, says report

Ukraine-Russia war latest: Poland asks Nato to impose no-fly zone over Ukraine to stop Putin’s drone incursions

Drills in Belarus and drone incursions into Romania: How the war in Ukraine has already become a European conflict

E-bike battery fire displaces 11 people from Vancouver home

Drought level in the Okanagan increases under new provincial system

Brit tourist 'puts men to shame' in Benidorm with astonishing record break

'Tinder Swindler' con artist arrested in Georgia

Senate clears Trump pick Miran to Fed board ahead of key interest rate vote

Court stops Trump’s attempt to fire Fed Board Governor Lisa Cook

Wellington Bridge closure worries small business owners in west-central Edmonton

Recreate our favourite beauty looks from TIFF 2025

Lethbridge first responders celebrate 1 year of youth initiative

Bridgeland business speaks out about street being ripped up 3 times in a year

Alberta takes teachers’ union to labour board over accusations of false claims

Schwarzenegger decries polarization, criticizes Newsom's gerrymandering effort

Face-to-face with Zelenskyy, his frustration is clear

Zelenskyy makes demand of Trump - and issues warning to NATO

Republicans dare Democrats on avoiding government shutdown

Trump nominee Miran confirmed to Fed ahead of rate decision

Scoop: A group of House Democrats has a steep demand list to stop a shutdown

Republicans scramble to kick Ilhan Omar off committees over her Charlie Kirk comments

SEC "prioritizing" Trump bid to change public company reporting rules

Thousands flagged to face "consequences" for cheering Charlie Kirk's death

Appeals court rules Fed governor Cook can continue to serve

Queer advocacy group asks mayor, council to declare Calgary a sanctuary city

California man steals ambulance from paramedics attending fatal stabbing near high school, say cops

As Charlie Kirk crisscrossed the country, security levels varied from venue to venue

Elon Musk piggybacks Tommy Robinson and brings his troll show to Britain after being banished from the White House

SC lawmaker wants to pull funding from major college over three faculty members’ alleged Charlie Kirk comments

Trump hints at how he could arrest flag burners despite free speech protections

Lone survivor of East Vancouver triple stabbing dies in hospital

Trump deploys U.S. troops to Memphis in ‘replica’ of D.C. crime crackdown

Saskatchewan family demands action after 2-year-long murder investigation

Israel, U.S. show unity as other allies condemn attack on Qatar