September 20, 2025
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), one of many Democrats who voted no, famous who Kirk really was in opposition to the determine that the Republican Get together aimed to lionize.
Within the aftermath of the killing of white nationalist Charlie Kirk, the Home Republicans, led by Home Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) put forth a five-page decision co-sponsored by 165 of his colleagues. The decision praised Kirk as a “brave American patriot” who wished to “elevate reality, foster understanding, and strengthen the Republic.”
In line with The Guardian, the Home minority chief, Hakeem Jeffries, knowledgeable Democrats in a closed-door assembly that management would vote in favor of the decision, however the vote because it regards different members, was left as much as particular person members. Within the vote, 95 Democrats, together with Rep. Jeffries, finally voted together with the Republicans.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), one of many Democrats who voted no, famous who Kirk really was in opposition to the determine that the Republican Get together aimed to lionize via the decision in an announcement.
“We must be clear about who Charlie Kirk was: a person who believed that the Civil Rights Act that granted Black Individuals the suitable to vote was a ‘mistake,’ who after the violent assault on Paul Pelosi claimed that ‘some superb patriot on the market’ ought to bail out his assailant, and accused Jews of controlling ‘not simply the universities – it’s the nonprofits, it’s the films, it’s Hollywood, it’s all of it.’ His rhetoric and beliefs have been ignorant and sought to disenfranchise hundreds of thousands of Individuals – removed from ‘working tirelessly to advertise unity’ as asserted by the bulk on this decision,” Rep. Ocasio-Cortez famous.
Along with the Consultant from New York, the Congressional Black Caucus additionally famous its disagreement with the vote by way of a Sept. 19 press launch. CBC Chair Yvette D. Clarke echoed a few of AOC’s issues in her personal assertion.
“We strongly disagree with most of the beliefs Charlie Kirk promoted: together with his perception that the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which ended racial segregation, was a mistake; his denial that systemic racism exists; his promotion of the Nice Alternative concept; and his offensive claims about Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, Michelle Obama, and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee missing satisfactory cognitive potential. The decision launched within the Home to honor Charlie Kirk’s legacy will not be about therapeutic, reducing the temperature of our political discourse, and even guaranteeing the protection of members of Congress, workers, and Capitol personnel. It’s, sadly, an try and legitimize Kirk’s worldview — a worldview that features concepts many Individuals discover racist, dangerous, and essentially un-American,” Clarke mentioned.
She concluded, “Within the wake of this tragedy, President Trump has senselessly threatened to go after the political left. The American individuals are bored with this type of cynical politics. It’s disheartening to see a tragedy used to additional divide the nation and suppress trustworthy debate. Because the conscience of the Congress, the CBC has a accountability to talk out towards this on behalf of our communities, and we’re calling on every of our colleagues who share our values to observe swimsuit. Sufficient is sufficient.”
Just like the Congressional Democrats, Mississippi Rep. Bennie Thompson launched his personal assertion noting that though he disagrees with the violent homicide of Kirk, he couldn’t, in good conscience, help the decision.
“I condemn – unequivocally and within the strongest phrases – the violent homicide of Charlie Kirk. I’m praying for his household and for our Nation as we navigate the aftermath of final week’s horrific taking pictures. Nobody must be killed for what they are saying or what they consider, and any declare on the contrary betrays the values upon which this Nation was based,” Rep. Thompson mentioned.
He continued, “The very fact is Charlie Kirk’s rhetoric was divisive, disparaging, and too usually rooted in grievance. The beliefs he evangelized normalized fringe views on race, intercourse, and immigration. Sadly, his rhetoric resurrected harmful prejudices of a darkish previous. I’ve spent my total profession – from the height of the civil rights motion till as we speak – advocating for equal rights for everybody, no matter race, intercourse, or faith. I can not in good conscience honor somebody who demeaned ladies, immigrants, and Black Individuals, and who even questioned the very basis of civil rights progress on this nation. This decision is deliberately written to be divisive, and I have to oppose it.”
RELATED CONTENT: Bernice King On Charlie Kirk Comparisons To Her Father: ‘I Get Drained, Y’All’
