Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez spoke on the House floor Friday ahead of a vote to honor slain conservative leader Charlie Kirk, controversially criticizing Kirk\u2019s character and making false claims of anti-Semitism.<\/p>\n
Ocasio-Cortez framed a \u201cyes\u201d vote on the memorial resolution as endorsing the segregationist Jim Crow era, saying the resolution \u201cbrings great pain to millions of Americans who endured segregation, Jim Crow, and the legacy of bigotry.\u201d She accused Kirk of opposing the Civil Rights Act, defending an assailant of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi\u2019s husband, and spreading anti-Semitic rhetoric by accusing Jews of controlling major cultural institutions.<\/p>\n
Her remarks sparked backlash, with many pointing out that Kirk was widely seen as a conservative activist who worked to promote civic engagement. Kirk was assassinated last week on the Utah Valley University campus by Tyler Robinson, who has been charged with multiple counts including potentially facing the death penalty. Robinson reportedly told his parents he targeted Kirk because he believed Kirk \u201cspreads too much hate.\u201d<\/p>\n
The House voted on a resolution to memorialize Kirk, but 96 Democrats declined to support it. Notably, former Speaker Nancy Pelosi and 21 other Democrats walked out of the vote. In contrast, the Senate unanimously passed a resolution naming October 14, 2025\u2014Kirk\u2019s birthday\u2014a \u201cNational Day of Remembrance.\u201d Senator Rick Scott, who sponsored the Senate resolution, praised Kirk\u2019s dedication to civic education and debate.<\/p>\n
House Speaker Mike Johnson announced that the House will soon pass a resolution honoring Kirk\u2019s legacy and condemning political violence. He emphasized that the resolution calls out political violence in America and honors Kirk as a friend to many in Congress.<\/p>\n
Robinson made his initial court appearance Tuesday, with further hearings scheduled. The case continues to draw national attention amid deep partisan divides over political violence and free speech.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez spoke on the House floor Friday ahead of a vote to honor slain conservative leader Charlie Kirk, controversially criticizing Kirk\u2019s character and making false… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":358,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-357","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\n