Relaxation in Peace, Charlie Kirk

It’s tough to find the words.

Charlie Kirk was only 31 yet he accomplished so much. He built a movement and a platform, engaging the young when establishment Republicans couldn’t (or wouldn’t). How do you reach the young? By reaching out to the young. He became a must-see college speaker, engaging college students, persuading the undecided, standing for his faith, and sparring with detractors. He stood strong on his beliefs, was unapologetic and irreplaceable.

And despite all he had done, I’m sure his proudest accomplishment was his family: a wife and two young children who are left with a permanent and unfillable void. Heartbreaking.

The assassin is still out there. Earlier this evening, FBI Director Kash Patel announced they had captured the killer. He since stated the suspect was “released after an interrogation by law enforcement.”

The killer’s motive hasn’t been confirmed, though that’s easy to guess. It appears Kirk was the victim of a heinous act of violence for what he believed and for his effectiveness in mobilizing the right.

Hate is infectious. Rhetoric becomes truth. Spread the hate long enough – the right is an existential threat, Trump is Hitler, the GOP is turning into Hezbollah, etc. – and eventually it might be acted upon. That explains not just the crimes of violence but the lack of pity for Kirk and his family from many on the left. The celebratory social media posts and TikTok videos are out there and easy to find. The killer already has his own fan club.

The times are dark. We’re not just seeing differences in political values but differing opinions on whether political violence is justified. As we saw with the Trump assassination attempts and the transgender school shooters, the danger is not retaliation by the right but copycats.