WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem revealed on a New York Post podcast that the last text from Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk warned about the threat of illegal immigration in major cities, and that she missed the message the day before his murder while traveling across time zones.
Kirk, 31, a father of two and founder of Turning Point USA, was shot on Sept. 10 at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. He was struck in the neck as he spoke to a crowd under a white pop-up tent and was pronounced dead that afternoon at a nearby hospital.
Noem said the final message Kirk texted her urged holding mayors and local officials accountable for what they were doing. She said she was traveling in another time zone and did not see it in time. She added that she would have replied that she was on it, and she believes Kirk knew she would take action.
Kirk had been promoting his Fearless tour, a free-speech mission that took him to colleges nationwide, a centerpiece of his outreach after founding TPUSA.
Devine asked Noem about Democrats’ calls for media figures and politicians to condemn political violence from both sides. Noem said such calls can be made, and argued that violence has been carried out by liberal, leftist, extremist individuals against conservatives and should be named and confronted. She said the country is waking up and that DHS will be bold in naming what she sees as ongoing threats.
She said the president who speaks truth matters in guiding the conversation and that the public must be informed to improve security.
The interview touched on the broader debate over how to address political violence and whether rhetoric from public figures contributes to the threat environment. Noem asserted that the administration would continue to speak plainly about what she views as persistent threats, while emphasizing the need for accountability at local levels when criminal activity is involved.
The episode underscores the tight linkage between immigration policy, local governance, and national security in contemporary U.S. politics, a nexus that often dominates both legislative battles in Washington and the discourse on college campuses where Kirk built his following.
As investigations continue into Kirk’s death, observers weigh the implications for the conservative movement and the broader political climate. The shooting has prompted vigils and renewed discussion about the tone of political rhetoric and its potential consequences, particularly in an era of highly polarized national debates over immigration and public safety.
In Utah, investigators are expected to pursue leads as authorities work to understand the motive and circumstances surrounding the high-profile incident. The incident has galvanized supporters who view Kirk’s work as an effort to defend conservative voices on campuses, while critics warn against inflaming tensions in a charged political environment. The discussion around Kirk’s death and Noem’s comments add another chapter to the ongoing national debate over how best to balance free expression, security, and accountability in U.S. politics.