Rep. Jasmine Crockett on Friday rejected assertions that left-wing rhetoric about President Donald Trump and his supporters led to the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, saying critics are misplacing blame and arguing that presidential and pro‑violence rhetoric have helped foster a climate of political violence.
Speaking on the radio show The Breakfast Club, the Dallas Democrat said she denounces political violence but defended using the phrase "wannabe Hitler" to describe Mr. Trump, and faulted Republicans for assuming the accused shooter came from the left. She criticized what she described as violent language used by some conservative figures and pointed to broad cultural forces she said are relevant to the attack.
The shooting occurred Sept. 10 at Utah Valley University, where Kirk, 31, founder of Turning Point USA, was speaking as part of an "American Comeback Tour." Authorities identified 22‑year‑old Tyler Robinson as the alleged gunman and said he is expected to be charged with aggravated murder and other state offenses, according to a probable cause affidavit released Sept. 12. Law enforcement officials reported that bullet casings found at the scene bore anti‑fascist messages.
Kirk was struck in the neck by a single gunshot and later died. His body was flown to Arizona on Air Force Two and accompanied by Vice President J.D. Vance; Mr. Kirk's funeral is scheduled for Sept. 21 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale. Mr. Trump has called for the alleged shooter to receive the death penalty.
Crockett said calling an opposing politician "wannabe Hitler" was not the same as encouraging physical attacks, but she urged a broader discussion about rhetoric and radicalization. "Even if it came from someone on our side of the aisle, let's assume the worst, OK, so let's talk about it," she said. She also referenced language she said is used by some conservative figures at rallies and on the campaign trail: "So, we've got to talk about like what it means when you're running for president, or you're running for one of these higher offices, and you go out there and you talk about beating people up, you go out there and you say things like, 'I could shoot somebody in the middle of the street in New York and I could still win.'"
Crockett additionally told the program she believed many mass shootings tie back to white supremacist ideologies and noted demographic patterns in locations of some attacks. "It's always some White supremacy kind of thing that's going on," she said. "It's not black folk that are going out there, it's not immigrants that are going out there. But what cities are we going into? Black cities, because we are supposedly the ones that commit all the crime."
The remarks drew a sharp response from the White House. Abigail Jackson, a White House spokeswoman, said Crockett should clarify her comments and accused the congresswoman of appearing to justify political violence. "What on earth did Jasmine Crockett mean when she said she wasn't 'necessarily' encouraging her supporters to hurt Republicans? It sure sounds like she's justifying political violence," Jackson said in a statement.
Republicans and other critics have for months argued that frequent comparisons of Mr. Trump to Adolf Hitler and other references to fascism have contributed to political animus that can inspire lone‑wolf attacks. Those claims intensified after a July 2024 assassination attempt on Mr. Trump, and have recurred in the aftermath of the Utah shooting.
Investigators said elements of the evidence complicate straightforward partisan narratives. The probable cause affidavit indicates that communications with a roommate helped authorities identify the suspect; local accounts say the roommate is transgender. Officials have released limited details as the criminal case moves forward.
The shooting has prompted renewed debate in Washington and across news media about the role of political rhetoric and the responsibilities of public figures. Lawmakers from both parties have publicly condemned the killing and called for a thorough investigation. As legal proceedings proceed, questions about motive and the significance of inscriptions on recovered casings remain part of the inquiry.
The case is pending in Utah state court, and prosecutors have indicated they will pursue charges related to the fatal shooting. Meanwhile, families, political allies and critics have continued to react publicly, and the incident has remained a focal point in national discussions about polarization, rhetoric and violence.