Former Illinois Anchor Resigns Over Tribute to Charlie Kirk

A former television anchor in Illinois has shared his decision to resign from his job rather than remain silent about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

Beni Rae Harmony, who previously worked for WICS-ABC20 in Springfield, spoke about her resignation to Fox News Digital. Following Kirk’s death, she felt compelled to honor him during a broadcast and chose to keep her tribute on social media, despite internal pressures.

Harmony had a history with Turning Point USA, a conservative advocacy group, joining when she was just 18. She reflected on her decision: “I thought, ‘I’m not sticking around for this. I’m going to resign and I won’t be silent.”

After Kirk was murdered, she felt a strong urge to speak out in his memory during her show “Marketplace,” which focused on central Illinois communities. “I was finalizing my outline and script, and I felt this overwhelming need to say something,” she explained. “I knew I couldn’t just let it pass.”

Initially, she thought her news director might remove her remarks or try to censor her in some way, but that didn’t happen. Instead, she gave a heartfelt tribute on air: “It’s okay to feel sad. If you’re sad, that’s perfectly fine. Just two days ago, I encouraged you to chase your dreams, and now I’ve lost my mentor, the person who first believed in me: Charlie Kirk.”

With tears in her eyes, she shared one of her favorite proverbs that Kirk would often repeat: “He’d shout it from the mountaintops.”

After posting her segment online, Harmony was told by her supervisor that she needed to remove it. When she refused, she was warned about potential consequences. Upon returning to work the following Monday, she learned that there could be repercussions, even termination.

She confronted her superiors, expressing disbelief that she could lose her job for honoring someone she respected deeply. “Are you really saying I could be fired for this?” she questioned, decisively stating she wouldn’t back down.

Ultimately, she resigned, and news of her departure quickly circulated. When approached for comment, her former station confirmed her resignation but declined to discuss any threats of suspension.

Harmony first met Charlie Kirk in 2020 while studying at Arizona State University. He inspired her to launch a local chapter of Turning Point USA, which further fueled her interests in media and politics. “At 18, I was swept up in the excitement during a protest, and meeting him was an experience I will never forget,” she recalled. “His energy was infectious, and his knowledge was astonishing.”

She also remembered her time working on the “Human Event” show with conservative commentator Jacques Posoviek, expressing gratitude for the guidance she received. “I feel fortunate to have had that experience,” she said. “He left a lasting impression on me.”

Harmony reflected on Kirk’s broader impact, suggesting he resonated with people across the political spectrum. “Regardless of their beliefs—Democrats, liberals, libertarians—if they are spiritual and believe in God, they often feel something is missing in their hearts.”