DHS Secretary Kristi Noem revealed on the New York Post’s Pod Force One with Miranda Devine that her last communication with Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk warned about the threat of illegal immigration in large cities. Noem said she missed the message while traveling for work in a different time zone, but she stressed that Kirk likely knew she would act. The note Kirk had sent indicated the need to hold mayors and local officials accountable for what they were doing.
Kirk, 31, founder of Turning Point USA, was shot in the neck while addressing a large crowd from under a white pop-up tent at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, on Sept. 10. He was rushed to a hospital and pronounced dead that afternoon.
Noem described how she learned of the missed message and said she would have responded that she was on it had she seen it earlier. She said she was traveling and in meetings across time zones when the text arrived and that she believes Kirk understood she would take action.
Devine later asked Noem about Democrats’ calls for media figures and politicians to condemn political violence from both sides. Noem said that political violence has been carried out by the left against conservatives, and she argued that it can be addressed. She said the country needs leaders who speak truth and that the administration would continue to be bold in naming what she views as attacks by liberal, leftist, extremist, and radicalized individuals against conservatives.
("They’re not going to get the truth… unless they do their research and unless they know that this has been an attack from liberal, leftist, extremist, radicalized individuals against conservatives trying to silence them," Noem said. "And we’ll continue to be bold in saying that because until eyes are opened up to what’s really happening in this country and how it’s changing, we can’t do better.")
Noem added that the American public appears to be waking up in the wake of Kirk’s death and that the Department of Homeland Security will press forward with its work. She noted Kirk had been touring campuses nationwide with a program described in notes as the “FEARLESS” tour, aimed at promoting free speech and conservative viewpoints on college campuses.
Kirk’s work and approach helped fuel a high-profile national conversation about immigration, crime, and political rhetoric. Media coverage has often labeled him controversial and provocative, reflecting the broader polarization surrounding his activism as the country debates how political violence should be addressed and how discourse should be conducted in a highly charged political environment.
The events surrounding Kirk’s death and Noem’s comments come amid ongoing national debate about the role of political messaging and the boundaries of protest in an era of intensified partisanship. Authorities have said Kirk was shot while speaking on stage, and investigations into the circumstances of the shooting are ongoing.
The incident, followed by vigils and widespread coverage, continues to provoke discussions about how public figures advocate for policy and how audiences respond to heated political debate. Some observers have urged a measured, fact-based approach to reporting on violence and political disagreements, while others argue that accountability and strong leadership are essential in addressing perceived threats.
As lawmakers and officials assess the implications of Kirk’s death and the broader climate of political contention, Noem’s remarks reinforce a view among some conservatives that leadership should be unabashed about recognizing threats posed by opposition movements they see as radicalized. The DHS continues to emphasize aggressive, truthful reporting of threats as part of its broader mandate to safeguard national security while navigating a complex public discourse.