Members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) strongly condemned a bipartisan resolution to honor conservative organizer Charlie Kirk, which was passed by the House on Friday. The resolution, which received broad support from over 90 Democrats, was criticized for validating Kirk’s views and legitimizing ‘racist, harmful, and fundamentally un-American’ ideas. In a statement following the House’s approval of the resolution, the CBC denounced political violence and the killing of Kirk, but emphasized the need to condemn violence without abandoning the right to critique ideas that conflict with American values.
“The resolution introduced in the House to honor Charlie Kirk’s legacy is not about healing, lowering the temperature of our political discourse, or even ensuring the safety of members of Congress, staff, and Capitol personnel,” they wrote. “It is, unfortunately, an attempt to legitimize Kirk’s worldview — a worldview that includes ideas many Americans find racist, harmful, and fundamentally un-American.” The CBC outlined several of Kirk’s past comments they strongly disagreed with, including his belief that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was a mistake, his denial of systemic racism, his promotion of the Great Replacement theory, and his offensive remarks about Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, Michelle Obama, and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee regarding their cognitive abilities.
Forty-two members of the CBC voted against the resolution, according to a POLITICO analysis, making up 72 percent of the 58 Democrats who opposed the measure. Five members of the caucus voted yes on the resolution, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, while others abstained or were absent. The CBC also criticized President Donald Trump’s rhetoric since Kirk’s death, arguing that he has ‘threatened to go after the political left.’ Trump had previously pointed to the ‘radical left’ for doing ‘irreparable damage to this country,’ with some Cabinet members, like Attorney General Pam Bondi, blaming ‘left-wing radicals’ for the shooting. “It’s disheartening to see a tragedy used to further divide the country and suppress honest debate,” the CBC wrote. “As the conscience of the Congress, the CBC has a responsibility to speak out against this on behalf of our communities, and we are calling on each of our colleagues who share our values to follow suit. Enough is enough.”