Vigil Held for Charlie Kirk in Capitol

House Speaker Mike Johnson organized a vigil in the Capitol’s statue hall on Monday evening, inviting members from both political parties. Many Republicans and the party’s top three leaders attended, but there were no Democrats present, as reported by Fox News Digital.

Democratic representatives like Debbie Dingell, Tom Suozzi, Don Davis, John Larson, Jimmy Panetta, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, and Chris Pappas were notably absent.

“The Bible advises us to overcome evil with good, and that embodies Charlie Kirk’s legacy,” Johnson shared with attendees throughout the evening. “I think the most fitting way to honor Charlie is by living in the way he did.”

Meanwhile, Congress is deliberating on a $58 million security funding proposal as the vigil for Charlie Kirk took place.

Majority Leader Steve Scalise and other Republican leaders, including Tom Emmer and Lisa McClain, were also there to pay their respects. Emmer remarked, “The killing of Charlie Kirk wasn’t just an attack on an individual; it struck at the foundational values that our nation prides itself on.” He emphasized the importance of freedom of speech and civil discourse, noting, “It’s concerning that someone was murdered for these beliefs while many seem to celebrate the act.”

There were mixed reactions following Kirk’s assassination, with lawmakers discussing political violence in the wake of his death. During a moment of silence in the House of Representatives, chaos erupted as Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert spoke out, interrupting the solemnity with protests from some Democratic members. Reports indicated that voices rose in discontent, arguing that Republicans were ignoring the school shooting that occurred on the same day as Kirk’s death. At the same time, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) voiced her discontent, asserting, “This is what caused it.”

Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar faced backlash as Republican efforts mounted to remove her from committee positions after she briefly commented on Kirk’s legacy post-assassination. She told a progressive news outlet that Kirk had previously mentioned experiences related to racial injustice, saying issues like slavery should not exist.

She expressed her desire for civil discourse, stating, “Many are discussing him now, but I want to engage in respectful debate. His past words and actions have been quite controversial.”