Michigan politicians of both parties reacted Sept. 10 with dismay at news that conservative activist and influencer Charlie Kirk had been shot that day in Utah, denouncing the violence and praying for him and his family even before word came that Kirk, 31, had died.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, posted on social media platform X, “Thinking of Charlie Kirk, his family, and the community at UVU (Utah Valley University, where the incident occurred) after the horrific shooting. We should all come together to stand up against any and all forms of political violence. It’s unacceptable.”
President Donald Trump posted news of Kirk’s death on social media platforms, ordering flags to be lowered to half staff until Sunday. “No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie,” Trump wrote on X.
Most of the members of Michigan’s congressional delegation responded to the shooting. On X, U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin, a Democrat, wrote, “Terrible news. Political violence should be condemned by all decent people, no matter what your political leanings might be. Condolences to Charlie’s family and friends for their loss.” Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. John James, a Shelby Township Republican who is running for governor next year, wrote on X that Kirk “was a fearless voice for America’s future” and that he was “martyred for his Christian conservative values.”
“In an age when too many are afraid to speak, Charlie reminded us that conviction must matter more than convenience,” James said. “Now, he has received his eternal reward.”
Here’s some of the other reactions, from Michigan’s members of Congress:
∎”Please pray for Charlie Kirk and his young family. Solving political differences through violence has no place in our Nation and these instances are becoming far too frequent. We must do better,” U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Watersmeet, wrote on X.
∎”The political violence in this country has got to stop. I’m praying for Charlie Kirk, his young family, and the Utah Valley community who witnessed this act of pure evil. God created each of us in his image and likeness, and we need to see that in one another, even those we disagree with,” said U.S. Rep. Tom Barrett, R-Charlotte.
∎”I am heartbroken to hear of Charlie Kirk’s passing,” said U.S. Rep. Lisa McClain, R-Bruce Township. “Today, his children lost their father and his wife lost her husband. My heart aches for them, for all who looked up to him, and for our country. I take comfort in knowing Charlie’s faith was strong, and I thank God for that. Please join me in lifting him and our nation up in prayer.”
∎”Political violence is wrong, anywhere, at any time, no matter what. This is horrifying. It’s tearing our country apart. We need to put a stop to it. I am praying for Charlie Kirk and his family,” U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Ann Arbor, wrote on X.
∎”Political violence of any kind is unacceptable. My heart goes out to Charlie Kirk and his family during this time,” said U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Birmingham, who is also running for an open U.S. Senate seat in Michigan next year.
∎”The shooting of Charlie Kirk is immoral, un-American, and disgusting,” said U.S. Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet, D-Bay City. “We should all pray for him and his family. The escalating political violence in this country must be a call to action for both Democrats and Republicans. It needs to stop.”
Other members of the congressional delegation from both parties issued statements denouncing the violence and praying for Kirk and his family.
Meanwhile, in Lansing, state legislators reacted strongly as well, with state Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt, R-Porter Township, calling Kirk’s shooting an act of terrorism and “yet another violent assault on our American way of life.”
“Charlie always emphasized that the minute we stop having discourse, the second we stop sharing ideas with each other, despite our differences, is when we will devolve into violence,” Nesbitt said. “People tried to shame Charlie. They tried to kick him off campuses so he couldn’t speak. And, finally, they tried to silence him permanently. Unfortunately, they did.”
‘Heart of the Youth’: Trump, Vance react to death of conservative leader Charlie Kirk
State Rep. Bryan Posthumus, R-Rockford, called Kirk’s shooting an “unimaginable and unnecessary tragedy.”
He said Kirk’s political activism inspired conservatives, particularly young conservatives, in a way they hadn’t been in generations.
“He did it with logic and reason and passion,” Posthumus told the Free Press. “It was because of that passion that he found himself on college campuses having conversations with people of all views. This is a loss that is going to be felt by our entire country and it’s certainly a loss that is going to be felt by conservatives around the country.”
Posthumus said everyone needs to condemn violent political rhetoric when it arises. “There’s no place for it,” he said.
State House Democratic Leader Ranjeev Puri of Canton also said on social media that he was “appalled and deeply saddened by the violence we witnessed in Utah today. My heart is with Charlie Kirk’s family and everyone affected by this horrific attack.”
“Political violence has absolutely no place in our country. No matter our differences, we must unite in condemning today’s cowardly act and reaffirm our commitment to resolving disagreements peacefully,” he said.
Michigan Republican Party Chairman Jim Runestad also released a statement following the news of Charlie Kirk’s passing:
“Kathy and I are devastated to hear the news of Charlie Kirk’s passing. For over a decade, Charlie energized the youth of America at college campuses across the country, challenging students to dream big about their future, and inspiring generations of future leaders, legislators, and constitutional conservatives. His wisdom and dedication to upholding our constitutional rights will be dearly missed.
“The wave of political violence gripping our nation is un-American, and unpatriotic. No American should fear for their life because of their faith or their political views. I hope everyone in Michigan will join me in continuing to pray for Charlie’s family and the profound impact he had on our nation. May he rest in peace.”
Contact Todd Spangler: tspangler@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter@tsspangler.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Charlie Kirk shooting: Michigan officials react with horror, prayers
