On Wednesday, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem revealed that she had received a text from conservative activist Charlie Kirk just hours before his tragic passing.
“The last message he sent me was the day before he died,” Noem shared during an appearance on Podforce 1 with Miranda Devine.
“He mentioned, ‘We have to take responsibility for what these mayors and local officials do.’ I think he really witnessed the troubling trend across the nation, where people continue to be victimized by illegal acts, and he was looking for accountability,” she added.
Kirk was known for his opposition to illegal immigration, aligning himself with President Trump’s tough stance on the issue. He frequently advocated for stricter border security and pushed back against sanctuary cities in his speeches and debates.
On September 8, he expressed his concerns, saying, “The Sanctuary City will catch and release factories for professional crime offense corporations, allowing Americans to be hurt, robbed, and killed again.” Tragically, just days later, he was shot at an event at Utah Valley University.
“Why are we holding back on this?” he had questioned.
Respected by influential Republican figures, including Noem, Kirk’s untimely death left Noem regretting that she hadn’t responded to him before it happened. “I was traveling in a different time zone and missed it, which I feel terrible about,” she admitted to Devine.
The alleged shooter, Tyler Robinson, was arrested on Thursday following Kirk’s death. He faces multiple charges, including state murder counts and serious felonies related to firearm offenses, obstruction of justice, and more. Prosecutors in Utah are pursuing the death penalty.
The shocking death of Kirk has reignited discussions about the increasing political violence in the U.S. and the responsibility of online platforms in addressing hate speech.
Erica Kirk, who co-founded Turning Point USA with her husband, vowed to continue his legacy by expanding the organization’s reach. “The people responsible for my husband’s assassination have no idea what they’ve unleashed. They killed Charlie for promoting a message of patriotism, faith, and God’s love,” she stated during a live stream on September 12. “They should understand the impact of their actions.”
“If I had realized the importance of my husband’s mission earlier, the situation might be different,” she reflected.
