Attorney General Pam Bondi warned on Sept. 16 that threats and attempts to dox conservatives would be prosecuted following the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.
“For far too long, we’ve watched the radical left normalize threats, call for assassinations, and cheer on political violence,” she said in an X post. “That era is over.”
Her comments followed a wave of firings of employees who either celebrated or posted insensitive comments about Kirk’s Sept. 10 shooting death at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. Authorities also indicated that Kirk’s suspected assassin harbored political animus toward him.
“We will never be silenced,” she said. “Not for our families, not for our freedoms, and never for Charlie. His legacy will not be erased by fear or intimidation.”
Bondi pointed to portions of federal law prohibiting threats against public officials. Doxxing conservative families, calling for someone’s murder, and swatting, or provoking a police response through false reporting, would be prosecuted, Bondi indicated. Doxxing refers to the public disclosure of personal information, which can put someone at risk of retaliation.
“These acts are punishable crimes, and every single threat will be met with the full force of the law,” she said. “Free speech protects ideas, debate, even dissent but it does NOT and will NEVER protect violence.”
Leading conservatives have emphasized the value of free speech following Kirk’s assassination, which occurred at one of his many events soliciting questions and debate from college students.
“The assassination of Charlie Kirk wasn’t just an attack on one individual,” House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) said at a prayer vigil for Kirk on Sept. 15.
“It was an attack on the traditional values that make our country—this great country—great: values of free speech, civil discourse, public debate, the ability to think independently and voice your opinions, exchange ideas, and even disagree with one another but to do so without fear of physical retribution.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), who led the vigil, noted a mixture of emotions that included vows that Kirk’s voice would not be silenced.
Kirk’s assassination has rippled through the political world, with many public officials lamenting the violence and advocating enhanced security and investigations. Several Democratic leaders expressed dismay over the killing.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said he was “shocked” by Kirk’s murder and called political violence “unacceptable and completely incompatible with American values.” He also offered prayers for Kirk’s family.
A long list of Republicans, including Reps. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) and Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.), responded to Kirk’s death by requesting a select committee to investigate the “money, influence, and power behind the radical left’s assault on America and the rule of law.”
Authorities have named Tyler Robinson, 22, as the suspected killer, while Utah Gov. Spencer Cox described the killing as political.
During an interview with Fox News, FBI Director Kash Patel said Robinson had allegedly engaged in a text exchange in which he said he would take out Kirk if he had the opportunity.
“And when he was asked why, he said some hatred cannot be negotiated with,” Patel said.
Bullet casings from the alleged murder weapon also included messages such as “Hey fascist! Catch!” and “Bella Ciao” which has been speculated to refer to an Italian anti-fascist song.
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino has said that the agency is looking into possible accomplices and social media posts that indicated potential foreknowledge of Kirk’s assassination.
Mace told reporters on Sept. 15 that it was a “terrifying time” and that her family was receiving death threats. She added that she had started conversations with leadership about security for members of Congress and that she was taking extra measures.
“Everything in our lives has changed dramatically over the last five days,” she said.
Political leaders may well skip public open-air settings. Author Ben Shapiro noted on a recent podcast that Kirk had security at the outdoor event where he was assassinated.
“I think we’re now at the end of outdoor political events, after the attempted assassination of President Trump, after the assassination of Charlie Kirk,” he said. “I do not think that anyone in public life is going to be doing outdoor events that are insecure for the foreseeable future.”
For years, Students for Life of America President Kristan Hawkins has been voicing her pro-life, conservative message on college campuses. Like Kirk, she’s taken questions from students and debated them. She told The Epoch Times this past week that she expected more indoor events and higher security.
“I’m sure it’s going to be strict, it’s going to be difficult, but there’s got to be a way for us to uphold and promote the First Amendment and not shut down these conversations,” Hawkins said. “Because this is what this killer wanted.”
Nathan Worcester, Jack Phillips, and Chase Smith contributed to this report.
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