State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona hosted a tribute to Charlie Kirk on Sunday. Leaders, including War Secretary Pete Hegses, reflected on Kirk’s life and faith.
Hegses delivered a speech portraying Kirk as a “patriot, conservative, leader, builder, advocate, author, lover of freedom, husband, father, Christian, warrior,” putting particular emphasis on Kirk’s faith. He remarked, “Christ alone is our king, our Lord and Savior. Our sins are washed away by the blood of Jesus. We fear God, we do not fear men. It was Charlie Kirk.”
He discussed how Kirk founded Turning Point USA in 2012 and dedicated himself to guiding young people in politics, particularly regarding faith. Hegses noted, “Charlie had a big plan, but God had a bigger plan.”
Hegses also highlighted how Kirk viewed the country’s challenges through a spiritual lens, saying, “But we realized that many of us weren’t engaged in political wars, not even cultural wars. Charlie understood that and infused it into his movement.”
He pointed out the symbolism of Kirk’s last name, which means “church” in German. “I like to think that this Sunday morning we’re all at Charlie’s church,” he added. “Charlie started a political movement that grew into a spiritual awakening.”
After Kirk’s passing, Hegses shared a text he received from his pastor. “The day after that horrifying event, my pastor said, the devil overestimated his hand.”
He continued, “Charlie began with freedom, but he was meant to ignite our nation for Christ.”
Hegses likened Kirk’s mission to going into battle, stating it wasn’t a fight of weapons, but one of heart and truth. He said, “He ventured into the darkest places like Paul did, declaring that he couldn’t go where others wouldn’t. He was a light—bold, brave, and a hero. You know, Charlie even aspired to attend West Point.”
He remarked, “Charlie Kirk was a citizen with the heart of a soldier of faith, wearing God’s armor daily with a smile, as the Bible encourages us to do.”
Hegses honored him, stating, “He lived and died telling the truth.” He described Kirk as “a warrior of Christ, a warrior for the nation,” and urged the crowd to “live lives that honor the sacrifice Charlie Kirk made and to place Christ at the center of your lives.”
In his tribute, Hegses concluded, “I believe I hear Charlie’s words echoing in heaven. Well done, good and faithful servant. Charlie, I’ve got it from here.”
In the wake of the tragedy, the Ministry of War confirmed some service members posted online comments that justified, or even celebrated, Kirk’s death. One Navy officer shared a video with 1.5 million TikTok followers, while an Army spokesperson commented, “If you speak poorly, expect to be hit.” Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell condemned these remarks on social media.
