A Palmetto Bay councilman is facing mounting demands to resign after posting comments on Facebook that mocked the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, prompting a formal censure by the village council and public condemnation from local officials.
Councilman Steve Cody deleted the post after it attracted widespread criticism. The post, according to screenshots circulated on social media and reported by local outlets, said, "Charlie Kirk is a fitting sacrifice to our Lords Smith & Wesson. Hallowed be their names," and included a graphic and a 2023 quote attributed to Kirk about gun-related deaths and the Second Amendment. Cody has since posted an apology on Facebook saying he made a "significant error in judgment" and that the post did not reflect his personal values, but he has refused calls to step down.
The Palmetto Bay Village Council voted 4–1 on Monday to censure Cody; he was the sole member to vote against the measure. Mayor Karyn Cunningham publicly condemned the remarks and called for his resignation, writing that public officials are "entrusted to lead by example and to uphold the values of respect, empathy, and civility." Republican Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier posted on X that, "If this Facebook post is legitimate, Steve Cody should resign from his position as Palmetto Bay Council member immediately," drawing support from users who called for his removal.
Cody, first elected to the council in 2020 and re-elected in 2024, is an attorney who previously practiced commercial litigation and mortgage foreclosure defense, according to his official village biography. When asked by Fox News Digital about the pressure to resign, Cody said Tuesday, "I will not be resigning." His original Facebook page was unavailable by Friday afternoon.
Charlie Kirk was fatally shot on Sept. 10, 2025, while speaking at Utah Valley University as part of Turning Point USA's American Comeback Tour. Witnesses said Kirk was sitting under a tent and interacting with students when he was struck by a single bullet to the neck. Authorities identified 22-year-old Tyler Robinson as the suspect and said he was apprehended later that day. Utah Governor Spencer Cox told reporters that shell casings recovered at the scene bore inscriptions with anti-fascist messaging, which officials said suggested a political motive.
Kirk's assassination spurred a national conversation about political violence and prompted heightened security concerns for public figures and on college campuses. The shooting led to an outpouring of responses from lawmakers and activists across the political spectrum, and investigators continued to probe the suspect's motive and any potential connections.
Palmetto Bay officials said the censure was intended to reaffirm the village's commitment to civil discourse. The mayor's statement emphasized the responsibilities of elected officials to set a standard for public dialogue. Cody's apology acknowledged anger and frustration about gun violence as informing his post but stopped short of addressing whether he would comply with calls to resign.
The incident adds to a series of politically charged confrontations and threats against public figures in recent months, and it has drawn renewed attention to how elected officials and private citizens discuss political violence online. The village council's censure remains the primary formal action taken by local government; further steps would depend on state law and any additional proceedings the council or other authorities might pursue.