WASHINGTON — National conservatives are urging prayer for Turning Point USA CEO Charlie Kirk after he was shot and killed at an event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday afternoon.
Shortly after the incident, Republican lawmakers from across the country took to social media to condemn the attack and encourage prayer for his recovery. Kirk later died from his injuries, according to official reports.
“We must all pray for Charlie Kirk, who has been shot,” President Donald Trump posted in a missive on Truth Social. “A great guy from top to bottom. GOD BLESS HIM!”
Trump later issued a statement:
“As a mark of respect for the memory of Charlie Kirk, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, September 14, 2025. I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this tenth day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fiftieth.”
“Say a prayer for Charlie Kirk, a genuinely good guy and a young father,” Vice President JD Vance said in his own tweet responding to the incident.
Vance later shared an image online of him, Kirk and others, asking for God to protect Kirk “in his darkest hour.”
Top Republicans in Congress
The shooting caught the attention of several others on Capitol Hill, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D.
“Please join us in praying for our good friend, Charlie Kirk,” Johnson wrote.
“There is no place in our country for political violence. Period, full stop,” Thune added. “Please join me in praying for Charlie Kirk.”
Other Republican members weighed in throughout the day, including both Utah Sens. Mike Lee and John Curtis.
“My heart goes out to Charlie, those in attendance, and their families,” Curtis said. “We are praying for his safety and the well-being of everyone impacted.”
“This is a good time to pray,” Lee said, who just conducted an interview with Kirk over the weekend on his podcast.
The official Republican account on X posted a short missive: “Pray for Charlie Kirk.”
Trump administration
FBI Director Kash Patel said the FBI was closely monitoring the reports of the shooting and agents would be on the scene to assist.
“Our thoughts are with Charlie, his loved ones, and everyone affected,” Patel wrote on X. “Agents will be on the scene quickly and the FBI stands in full support of the ongoing response and investigation.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed Patel’s message that FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive (ATF) agents were on the scene. “PRAY FOR CHARLIE,” she said.
Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. shared Patel’s message and said, “We love you Charlie Kirk. Praying for you.”
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also called for prayers for Kirk, calling him an “incredible Christian, American, and human being.”
“May the healing hand of Jesus Christ be upon him,” Hegseth said.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said he and his wife, Rachel, were in “complete and utter shock.”
“We don’t know what else to do at this moment other than pray for a miracle for this devoted Christian father and patriot,” Duffy said on X. “Jesus, King of the universe, please wrap your loving arms around Charlie Kirk and his beautiful young family.”
Democratic leaders
Democratic leaders also weighed in to condemn the shooting and call for an end to political violence.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris weighed in on the matter to say she was “deeply disturbed” by the incident and that she “send(s) our prayers to Charlie Kirk and his family.”
“Let me be clear: Political violence has no place in America,” she said. “I condemn this act, and we all must work together to ensure this does not lead to more violence.”
“The attack on Charlie Kirk is disgusting, vile, and reprehensible,” California Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a post on X. “In the United States of America, we must reject political violence in EVERY form.”
Former Treasury Secretary Pete Buttigieg also weighed in, noting that he was “praying for (Kirk) and all who may have been injured or impacted.”
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi similarly weighed in, calling the incident “horrific” and “reprehensible.”
“Political violence has absolutely no place in our nation,” she wrote in a post on X. “All Americans should pray for Charlie Kirk’s recovery and hold the entire UVU community in our hearts as they endure the trauma of this gun violence.”
Former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., who was the victim of a 2011 attempted assassination, said she was horrified to learn about Kirk being shot.
“Democratic societies will always have political disagreements, but we must never allow America to become a country that confronts those disagreements with violence,” she said, noting that she and her husband, Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., were praying for Kirk’s recovery.
This story will be updated.