Sen. John Curtis Advocates for Listening to Young Americans After Shooting
In the wake of the tragic shooting of Charlie Kirk, Sen. John Curtis (R-UTAH) urged lawmakers to pay attention to the voices of young Americans. Kirk was killed in an incident that occurred on Wednesday at Utah Valley University in Orem, where he had been a prominent conservative activist and the founder of Turning Point USA, closely aligned with former President Trump.
Senator Curtis, who represents Utah, encouraged constituents to reach out to him via email regarding Kirk’s situation. He mentioned in a post that he would share emails on social media, stating, “I personally read all the emails as we navigate this tragedy together.”
Reflecting on his own experiences, Curtis shared, “When I lost a close friend at that age, I wanted someone to truly understand how I felt.” He emphasized the importance of listening to the younger generation during his interview with ABC News’ Martha Raddatz.
The suspect in Kirk’s death, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, was arrested by the FBI late Thursday. Utah Governor Spencer Cox indicated in a press conference that Robinson had become “more political” leading up to Kirk’s shooting.
Curtis also expressed concerns regarding the influence of social media on all age groups, asserting, “There’s a lack of accountability for what people post.” Many lawmakers have echoed similar worries about the excessive use of social media, particularly among younger generations, following the incident.
“I don’t think Covid helped,” Curtis remarked, noting the need for a thorough examination of social media’s effects. “We must really investigate what is happening—not just for young people, but for everyone.”
Having been elected to the Senate last November, Curtis has a background that includes over seven years in Utah’s Third Congressional District and serving as Mayor of Provo from 2010 to 2017.
In an op-ed for Deseret News, he urged efforts toward civility and bridging divides. “Charlie’s death is a tragic reminder of what’s at stake,” Curtis wrote. “Let’s move towards understanding, repair broken relationships, and choose kindness instead.”
