Press Releases

Today, Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) joined House Republicans for a prayer vigil to honor the life and legacy of Charlie Kirk.

Click here or above to watch Whip Emmer’s remarks.

Whip Emmer: “I want to begin by offering our prayers to the entire Kirk family as they continue to grieve this unfathomable loss. A wife lost her husband. Two children lost their father. A young, beautiful family has been shattered. All because an evil coward chose violence over the discourse and debate Charlie so bravely championed. The political assassination that took place this past Wednesday was sickening. It was infuriating. It was heartbreaking. And, unfortunately, it was a horrific scene that we’ve witnessed unfold too many times before. Three months ago, in my home state of Minnesota, another evil coward murdered State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, in their home. He also shot and wounded State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette. Last year, President Trump was shot while on the campaign trail, and another attempt to take his life was stopped thanks to the swift response of Secret Service agents. Eight years ago, our Majority Leader Steve Scalise was shot while at an early morning baseball practice ahead of the Congressional baseball game. Let us be clear: There is no place in our country for politically-motivated violence. None. The assassination of Charlie Kirk wasn’t just an attack on one individual. It was an attack on the foundational values that make our country great. Values of free speech, civil discourse, public debate, and the ability to think independently, voice your opinions, exchange ideas, and even disagree with one another, but to do so without fear of physical retribution. Charlie created a movement by putting these values into practice on college campuses across the country. The fact that he got killed for it, and many Americans consequently celebrated his murder, begs the question: How did we get so far away from the values our nation was built upon? And how do we get back? We live so chronically online these days that we forget behind every idea, there’s a person; and behind every person, there’s a family who loves them and a Creator who instills into them intrinsic value. I firmly believe that Charlie’s death has providentially brought us to a turning point. We, as Americans, have to choose. Will we continue down this path of reckless vitriol and hate? Or will we carry on the legacy that Charlie Kirk left? I want to end by thanking the Utah law enforcement and FBI Director Kash Patel for working around the clock to bring the justice, accountability, and closure…that the Kirk family deserves, and we find consolation in the fact that, while America has lost a true patriot on Wednesday, Heaven gained a saint…We will see Charlie again one day. Until then, let’s make him proud by continuing the work he started.”