Democrats Continue to Condone Political Violence
Yesterday would have been Charlie Kirk’s 32nd birthday, and President Trump honored Kirk by posthumously awarding him the Presidential Medal of Freedom and called him a “fearless warrior for liberty.” Conservatives mourn his loss and expect the country to treat his killing as the political violence it was. Instead, partisan fault lines hardened the moment that should have united Americans.
When Minnesota Democrat Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were shot and killed by Vance Boelter, the U.S. House unanimously passed a resolution rejecting the political violence that led to her death. Republicans and Democrats put aside differences and condemned the attack. That unanimous action showed how civility can work when leaders choose it.
By contrast, the reaction to Charlie Kirk’s assassination has been strikingly different. Too many Democrats refused to join a simple statement of honor, and some leaders went further by attacking the victim. The refusal to condemn violence against a conservative voice reveals a dangerous double standard.
When the House put forth a resolution to honor Charlie Kirk, 58 Democrats voted against the measure, while another 38 voted “present” and 22 refused to vote at all. Those numbers are stark and cannot be waved away as a procedural quirk. They represent a refusal by a large segment of one party to recognize political murder as beyond the pale.
Some Democratic officials explained their votes by denouncing Kirk’s ideas instead of condemning his murder. Rep. Jasmine Crockett said she was “not sure what is honorable” about Kirk. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez wrote on X, “[Kirk’s] rhetoric and beliefs were ignorant and sought to disenfranchise millions of Americans – far from ‘working tirelessly to promote unity’ as asserted by the majority in this resolution.”
That same partisanship infected state government. In the Wisconsin Legislature, every Democrat but one voted against a resolution that honored Kirk and condemned the act that took his life. The refusal of Democratic lawmakers at the state level mirrors the national response and underscores how politically selective outrage has become.
The resolution reads:
Whereas, Charlie Kirk dedicated his life with unwavering conviction to advancing the timeless principles of faith, liberty, and truth, most notably through his founding of Turning Point USA, which boldly equipped and inspired a generation of young Americans to defend the values that sustain our nation; and
Whereas, his powerful voice, seen in his writings, broadcasts, and countless speeches, challenged complacency, awakened courage, and emboldened millions to take up the cause of freedom with renewed strength and clarity; and
Whereas, beyond his public mission, Charlie Kirk was first and foremost a devoted husband and loving father, fiercely committed to his wife and their two young children, whom he treasured as the heart of his life; and
Whereas, the brutal and senseless act that claimed his life has shaken our hearts, leaving an immense void not only in his family but across our nation, which looked to him as a steadfast champion for liberty; and
Whereas, we are heartbroken by the assassination of Charlie Kirk, and we are praying with urgency and faith for his wife, his two small children, and for our country as we seek God’s strength to endure and overcome this devastating loss; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the senate, the assembly concurring, That the Wisconsin Legislature honors Charlie Kirk’s extraordinary life and legacy with deepest gratitude, recognizing his fearless devotion to God, his unshakable love of family, and his tireless service to country; and, be it further
Resolved, That the Wisconsin Legislature commends his memory to future generations as a beacon of conviction and courage; and, be it further
Resolved, That the Wisconsin Legislature joins together in prayer for his family and for our nation, that God would bring healing, peace, and resolve as his legacy continues to inspire.
This resolution is straightforward, solemn, and respectful, and yet nearly every Democrat opposed it. That vote pattern speaks louder than any statement about policy disagreements. It raises real questions about whether political violence is only abhorrent when its victims are on the left.
Rep. Tom Tiffany, who is running to replace Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers, slammed the Democrats for their votes and refusal to join in condemning the assassination. His criticism reflects broader conservative frustration that basic norms of decency are now partisan. The political left’s unwillingness to speak for the sanctity of life when the slain are conservative underscores a dangerous erosion of common standards.
It’s very clear that the Democratic Party, at both the federal and state levels, finds it impossible to condemn political assassinations. But only when the victims are conservatives, of course.
