New York leaders from both parties decry Kirk killing, call for calmer political discourse

Bipartisan outrage echoed from Long Island's top political and elected officials over the slaying Wednesday of Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist and co-founder of Turning Point USA.

A main theme was urgent calls for tamping down the nation's hostile political discourse.

"Political violence has no place in America," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Brooklyn Democrat, said in a statement on the social media site X, formally known as Twitter.

Like Schumer, New York's other Democratic senator, Kirsten Gillibrand, described the shooting of the prominent supporter of President Donald Trump as "horrifying news."

Kirk, who has been credited by some with helping to inspire a new generation of conservatives, was killed during an appearance at Utah Valley University on Wednesday, the first of a 14-city fall "American Comeback Tour."

Trump, who survived two assassination attempts last year during the presidential campaign, announced Kirk’s death on his Truth Social platform and ordered all U.S. flags to fly at half-staff through Sunday evening.

"No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie," Trump wrote in a social media post.

Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-Bayport), the new chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security, said, "There is never an acceptable justification for political violence, and this assassination of a public figure is a tragedy that must be unequivocally condemned by all."

Kirk appeared to be answering a question at the event in Utah when what sounded like a single shot was heard, video of the event shows. The crowd responded by screaming as Kirk appeared to reach for his neck.

Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-Glen Cove) said in his own posting that Kirk's death "should be a rallying cry for all Americans to urgently confront and reject the dangerous rhetoric in our nation and come together as Americans to stand united against all forms of political violence."

Rep. Nick LaLota (R-Amityville) called the shooting "a tragic low for our nation," adding in a statement, "leaders of both parties must work to lower the temperature and end political violence."

Kirk’s long resume of conservative stances included his advocacy for gun rights, dismissal of climate change, and condemnation of abortion, and gay and transgender rights, including gay marriage. He was opposed to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, known as DEI programs, and argued that they themselves caused racism and discrimination.

A Trump ally, Kirk’s evolution as a cultural warrior ultimately led him to also espouse and speak about the need for Christians to lead the country..

Condemnation of the shooting came from figures in both parties.

"No matter what political differences we have, violence and extremism have no place in our society and we must all strongly condemn this vile attack," Rep. Laura Gillen (D-Rockville Centre) said in a statement.

New York State Democratic Party chairman Jay Jacobs, who holds the same post in Nassau County, described the attack on Kirk as an attack also "on every value that Americans hold dear."

"This assassination of someone whose views I disagree with is about as un-American an act as can be perpetrated," Jacobs said.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, in a statement, said Kirk was "a close friend and confidant, and called the slaying "utterly devastating."

A statement released by the New York State Conservative Party described Kirk as a "good man," adding: "An assassin’s bullet may have taken his physical presence away, but his thoughts, his philosophy, his hard work, and his love for our nation will carry on."