Speaker Mike Johnson Pushes House Resolution Honoring Charlie Kirk After Assassination
- Natalie Frank
- Sep 16
- 4 min read
The House prepares to vote on a resolution as Johnson calls Kirk’s death a sobering reminder of political violence in America
Natalie C. Frank, Ph.D September 16, 2025
WASHINGTON D.C.- In the wake of the Sept. 10 assassination of Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., is leading a House resolution that will honor Kirk's life and condemn the political violence that ended it.
The resolution, to be voted on this week, refers to Kirk as "a courageous American patriot whose life was tragically and unjustly cut short in an act of political violence." It continues to say that he "boldly lived out his faith with conviction, courage, and compassion.".
Johnson's office confirmed Monday that the speaker had submitted the resolution in person, which portrays Kirk as a political leader but also a devoted husband and father who "exemplif[ied] the virtues of faith, fidelity, and fatherhood."
The decision goes beyond tribute, situating Kirk's murder as a greater menace to the democratic foundations of the nation. "The killing of Charlie Kirk was not only a foul act of violence, but a sober reminder of the pervading evil threatened by political extremism and hate in our world," it reads.
According to the text, Kirk's murder "undermines the very fabric of our constitutional democracy and chills the free exchange of ideas essential to a healthy civic society." It calls for "leaders at every level—government, education, media, and beyond—must stand united in unequivocal condemnation of political violence, no matter their ideology.".
The resolution also calls on Americans to avoid division, asking the public to look at Kirk's death as a time to recommit national unity. "The senseless killing of Charlie Kirk shall not be allowed to deepen the divisions in our country but instead be a watershed moment towards reaffirming ourselves to nobler angels, and to the time-honored American ideals of liberty informed by truth and the virtues of civil discourse," it states.
Johnson was the presider on Monday evening at a memorial service in the Capitol's Statuary Hall. The speaker was joined by House Republicans and a few Democrats as he paid tribute to Kirk as a man of faith and conviction.
Something we do know about Charlie is that he would not have us drown in despair," Johnson told the crowd. "He would want us to spread the message on, to keep his memory alive, and to see his legacy through.".
Johnson concluded the vigil with a prayer, his third memorial service for Kirk after the assassination. Previous vigils were conducted at Louisiana State University and at The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
The resolution does not just bemoan Kirk's death. It also commends law enforcement and first responders "for their relentless efforts in arresting the suspect for the assassination of Charlie Kirk and urges the administration of swift justice."
Republican Study Committee Chair Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas, expressed support for Johnson's resolution. "I commend Speaker Johnson for his bold leadership in introducing this resolution which demands justice and honors a true American patriot who lost his life standing up for the principles that made America great," Pfluger added.
He continued, saying: "Charlie Kirk was a man of unyielding faith who lived his Christian walk while courageously standing for American values—he was murdered for speaking the truth, and his assassins have only reaffirmed our resolve to win more and to speak louder for the conservative cause he died defending."
Not everyone agrees with the bill or that Kirk was a bastion of free speech and democracy. Reverend Dr. Howard-John Wesley from the Alfred Street Baptist Church in D.C. disagreed with attributing hero status to Kirk. He said that calling someone a hero should be based on their full life's work and not just on how or when they died. "You don't become a hero in death when you have been a weapon of the enemy in life," Wesley said, adding, "There is no place in the Bible that says to honor evil and how you die."
Former NFL linebacker Emmanuel Acho said, "Charlie Kirk's death has led me to an uncomfortable conversation that I want to facilitate. To my white brothers and sisters, how would you hope your minority friends respond to the celebration of Charlie Kirk's life when he has very publicly ... Referred to Asian individuals by the C word, a word too violent for me to utter.
Others have pointed out that the honors being given to Kirk such as being flown on Airforce 2, having flags lowered to half-staff, and being awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, were not given to others who had served the country and sacrificed such as military members who were killed in the line of duty. Additionally, state representative Melissa Hortman, leader of the House Democratic caucus who was assassinated with her husband in Minnesota wasn't given any of the honors afforded to Kirk.
The bill was formally put on the House calendar Thursday afternoon, with Johnson set to pursue additional co-sponsors in the coming days. Support is set to come quickly as members of the Republican conference mobilize to pay tribute to Kirk's memory and oppose political violence.
Johnson has introduced the resolution not just as a tribute to Kirk but as a test of the country's ability to eschew violence based on hate and reassert civil rhetoric. His message has been clear: Charlie Kirk's loss is not just a personal tragedy but a national alarm.
Trump plans to award Kirk posthumously with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
