California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday condemned the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk as “sick and reprehensible” and urged Americans to honor Kirk’s memory by engaging in debate rather than resorting to violence.
Kirk, 31, was shot and killed earlier in the day during an event at Utah Valley University, according to media reports. In a statement, Newsom said he had known Kirk and admired his passion for debate despite their political differences and called the slaying a reminder of the importance of fostering genuine discourse across the political spectrum.
“The best way to honor Charlie’s memory is to continue his work: engage with each other, across ideology, through spirited discourse,” Newsom wrote. “In a democracy, ideas are tested through words and good‑faith debate — never through violence. Honest disagreement makes us stronger; violence only drives us further apart and corrodes the values at the heart of this nation.”
Newsom, a Democrat and governor of the nation’s most populous state, noted that he and Kirk had appeared together earlier this year on Newsom’s podcast, "This Is Gavin Newsom." The two had a largely amicable conversation despite disagreements, and Kirk later described Newsom as “charming and friendly” while also accusing him of lying on at least one issue.
In his statement, Newsom emphasized that honoring Kirk meant continuing to engage with differing viewpoints rather than allowing the shooting to deepen political divisions. He framed civil discourse and debate as the proper means to test ideas in a democratic society and warned that political violence undermines those processes.
Kirk was a prominent conservative activist and commentator who founded Turning Point USA and frequently appeared at college campuses and on media platforms. Details about the shooting, including a motive and any persons of interest or suspects, were not included in Newsom’s statement and remained the subject of ongoing law enforcement investigation as officials released further information.
Newsom’s remarks followed a broader national conversation about political rhetoric and safety at public events, and they came amid heightened attention to threats against public figures across the ideological spectrum. By calling for continued engagement across ideological lines, the governor urged both his supporters and opponents to reject violence as a means of political expression and to adhere to democratic norms of debate.
Newsom concluded his statement by urging Americans to follow Kirk’s example in one respect: to participate in civic life and debate ideas openly and vigorously, while maintaining the rule of law and public safety. The governor's comments underscored a call for unity around peaceful civic engagement in the wake of the killing.