Texas Republican Rep. Ronny Jackson called to institutionalize transgender people in mental health facilities "to get them off the streets" in the wake of reports that the man accused of fatally shooting Charlie Kirk had a transgender romantic partner. Speaking on Newsmax on Tuesday with host Rob Finnerty, Jackson said, "We have to do something about this. We have to treat these people. We have to get them off the streets, and we have to get them off the internet and can’t let them communicate with each other. I’m all about free speech, but this is a virus, this is a cancer that’s spreading across this country."
Jackson, a former White House physician, told Finnerty that those responsible for the shooting are "either transgender or associated with the transgender community" and thus have a mental illness. "These are people that have gender dysphoria, which is a real psychiatric issue," Jackson said, adding, "it's the reason that we don't allow them in the military." Finnerty played a clip of President Donald Trump calling for "bringing back mental institutions" and then asked Jackson if this could be on the table. Jackson’s remarks came as the case drew renewed attention to the national debate over transgender rights and public safety policy.
PolitiFact notes that a majority of major U.S. medical associations and the World Health Organization do not classify being transgender as a mental health disorder. Prosecutors have said that the man accused of killing Kirk, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, was romantically involved with a roommate who was transitioning from male to female, sparking a surge in right-wing rhetoric about the transgender community. The roommate is not charged in connection with Kirk’s death and has cooperated with investigators.
The GOP has intensified its anti-trans rhetoric in President Donald Trump’s term, including through executive actions or policies that critics say narrow access to recognition and health care for transgender people. Experts caution that the scientific consensus does not label transgender identity as a mental illness. Jackson's remarks drew scrutiny from lawmakers and advocacy groups, highlighting the political resonance of transgender rights in U.S. politics.
As investigations continue, the incident and the remarks illustrate ongoing tensions in U.S. politics over gender identity, public safety policy, and how political leaders discuss mental health and minority rights.
