US Warns Foreigners Praising Charlie Kirk Killing Could Face Action
US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau issued a stern warning on Thursday, saying Washington may take action against foreigners who “praise, rationalize, or make light” of the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Landau confirmed he has instructed consular officials to take appropriate measures in response.
“In light of yesterday’s horrific assassination of a leading political figure, I want to underscore that foreigners who glorify violence and hatred are not welcome visitors to our country,” Landau said in a post on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. He added that he had seen disturbing posts from some users praising or downplaying the tragedy, prompting him to direct consular officials to act.
Landau did not provide specifics on what the potential actions might entail. Some X users replied to his post, sharing screenshots of accounts that appeared to praise the killing, though it remained unclear whether those accounts belonged to US visa holders.
Monitoring Social Media Reactions
Landau indicated that consular officials would monitor the flagged posts, which had received over 2,000 replies by Thursday afternoon. A spokesperson for the State Department emphasized that the US does not intend to grant visas to individuals whose presence could threaten national security. However, the spokesperson did not confirm whether anyone had already been identified for visa revocation or how officials would evaluate flagged users.
About Charlie Kirk
Charlie Kirk, 31, was an author, podcast host, and prominent ally of former President Donald Trump. He played a key role in mobilizing young voters for the Republican Party. Kirk was fatally shot on Wednesday while speaking at a university in Utah, an event President Trump called a “heinous assassination.”
Broader Context on Immigration Measures
This warning comes amid the Trump administration’s broader efforts to tighten immigration controls. Measures have included expanded social media vetting, revocation of thousands of student visas, and efforts to reduce visa durations for certain categories.
Landau’s statement underscores the US government’s commitment to maintaining national security and sending a strong message that glorifying violence against political figures will not be tolerated.