AOC Leads Democrats in Voting Against Resolution Honoring Charlie Kirk
Nearly 60 Democrats voted against a resolution to honor Charlie Kirk and condemn political violence. The measure, brought forward by Speaker Mike Johnson, passed the House 310–58, with all Republicans and most Democrats voting yes.
The resolution praised Charlie’s “life, leadership, and legacy” and noted his “steadfast dedication to the Constitution, civil discourse, and Biblical truth” that inspired a generation to defend liberty. It also urged “all Americans — regardless of race, party affiliation, or creed — to reject political violence, recommit to respectful debate, uphold American values, and respect one another as fellow Americans.”
Speaker Johnson spoke about what set Charlie apart: “After political debates, he would reach out a hand of friendship or offer an arm around the shoulder of someone he had just defeated. Why? Because it wasn’t about winning the arguments. It was about the people. And Charlie loved vigorous debate, but he loved people more.”
And yet, some of the most prominent Democrats—AOC, Omar, Tlaib, Jayapal, and Crockett—voted no. AOC even posted on X, “His rhetoric and beliefs were ignorant and sought to disenfranchise millions of Americans — far from ‘working tirelessly to promote unity’ as asserted by the majority in this resolution. We can condemn his horrific assassination and the scourge of political violence without uplifting these ideas.”
The contrast is clear. Earlier this year, when Democratic Minnesota House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband were assassinated, Republicans joined Democrats unanimously to condemn it. But when it came to Charlie Kirk, nearly 60 Democrats couldn’t bring themselves to do the same.
Meanwhile, the Senate passed a unanimous resolution designating October 14—Charlie’s birthday—as the National Day of Remembrance for Charlie Kirk. And this Sunday, a memorial in Glendale, Arizona will feature President Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and others honoring his life.