Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) commented on Friday regarding the recent fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, stating that this event should not serve as an excuse to misuse power. She emphasized that Congress must focus on uniting the country instead.
During her address in the House, Ocasio-Cortez referred to Kirk’s murder as a “terrifying and sleazy attack.” She described condemning this “brutal” act, which happened in Utah, as essential, particularly for stabilizing an increasingly volatile political climate. She mentioned that it’s crucial for everyday people to navigate these challenging times.
“As a nation, we can strongly denounce and come together against the horrors of this murder. This shouldn’t be seen as an opportunity for power grabs in American history,” said the progressive Democrat. She criticized the majority in Congress for treating the situation as a purely partisan issue rather than a collective tragedy.
These comments came just days after ABC suspended late-night comedian Jimmy Kimmel indefinitely following the assassination. The Nexstar Media Group, which operates with Sinclair, announced that its local affiliate would stop airing Kimmel’s show due to his comments related to Kirk.
The decision by ABC received mixed reactions: it was praised by President Trump and others in the administration but faced pushback from Democrats. Some lawmakers have even called for FCC Chairman Brendan Carr’s resignation.
“It’s crucial for Congress to come together to oppose any attempts by the government to exploit this tragedy to stifle free speech across the nation,” Ocasio-Cortez added on Friday. She pointed out the irony in how Trump and the FCC threaten to close media outlets that give voice to political critics.
“This is a severe threat to Americans and the First Amendment, which is foundational to our identity as a nation. It’s also ABC’s responsibility not to take part in this growing censorship,” she noted, expressing concern for Kirk’s family and especially his children during this difficult time.
On Friday, the House passed a resolution honoring Kirk, who co-founded Turning Point USA, while denouncing political violence. The vote ended with 310 in favor and 58 against, with 95 Democrats supporting the resolution. Ocasio-Cortez was among those who voted against it.
The resolution lauded Kirk as a “courageous American patriot” who faced life with faith and compassion. In light of Kirk’s murder, Ocasio-Cortez has also called on Congress to address gun violence more decisively.
“Are we going to act or just talk? That’s my question,” she remarked last week, advocating for the passage of the Gun Safety Act to prevent further tragedies.
In her Friday speech, she criticized Kirk for his comments on civil rights, stating, “We must be clear about who Charlie Kirk is. He was a person who opposed civil rights laws that provided voting rights for Black Americans, and after the violent assault on Paul Pelosi, he shockingly suggested that those attackers should be forgiven.”
