WASHINGTON — More than a dozen state attorneys general warned public colleges and universities Thursday not to invoke the assassination of Charlie Kirk to chill free speech or to justify higher security costs, according to Fox News Digital.
The letter, signed by 17 Republican attorneys general and spearheaded by Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird, contends that universities must shield free expression and resist the so-called Assassin’s Veto while addressing safety concerns. It urges colleges to ensure security fees are imposed in a content-neutral and viewpoint-neutral manner and not used to burden speakers or groups simply for their political perspective. The letter notes that, in practice, neutral policies have sometimes been applied in a discriminatory way to silence conservative voices.
The letter cites a continuing pattern of colleges charging higher security fees for conservative speakers and points to precedent that critics say has chilled campus speech. It notes that universities previously faced free speech lawsuits over security costs, including a 2018 settlement at the University of California, Berkeley with campus conservative groups such as the College Republicans and Young America’s Foundation. Berkeley had argued the higher security fees were based on law enforcement assessments that attendees would face greater disruption or violence, and the university subsequently reaffirmed its commitment to free speech while adjusting its security fee practices.
The letter also highlights a 2023 case in which the U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico issued a preliminary injunction against the University of New Mexico after the university sought to charge Turning Point USA more than $5,000 in security fees for a Riley Gaines event. The court found the fees unacceptable and emphasized that safety considerations should not be a pretext to suppress speech. The AGs argue such outcomes underscore the need for content- and viewpoint-neutral policies that do not chill political discussion on campus.
The signatories, led by Bird, said students may be considered consumers under their states’ consumer protection laws and warned that universities could violate those laws if they invoke security concerns to impose exorbitant fees while advertising that schools remain open for dialogue across the political spectrum. The letter cautioned that any security policy that appears facially neutral must not be applied in a discriminatory manner, and it framed the issue as part of a broader crackdown on what critics call the Assassin’s Veto — the use of threats or violence to suppress speech.
"The tragedy of Charlie Kirk’s assassination is a sobering reminder that the right to free speech must be protected," Bird told Fox Digital. "Charlie was murdered while debating on a university campus, a place where the free exchange of ideas should be encouraged; we cannot allow the actions of an assassin to stop free speech in any way. Colleges and universities must take steps to keep their students safe while preserving free discussion and open debate."
A total of 17 Republican state attorneys general signed onto the letter, including top officials from Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas and Utah. The group warned that the state offices stand ready to investigate complaints and enforce state laws if colleges use security costs to suppress viewpoints or to restrict campus discourse.
Charlie Kirk’s death occurred on September 10 at Utah Valley University during a Turning Point USA event, when a single gunshot struck him while he sat beneath a tent and spoke with students. The shooting prompted nationwide scrutiny of campus security policies and safety protocols. An FBI investigation was underway in the hours and days after the shooting, with law enforcement officials focusing on the incident and the broader implications for public safety on college campuses.
In responding to the letter, conservative advocacy groups welcomed the AGs’ posture as a defense of free expression. Nicole Neily, president of Parents Defending Education, called the move a needed reminder of universities’ duties to protect speech. "This is a moment for leadership, and we are deeply grateful that the nation’s attorneys general are using their authority to remind university administrators of their sacred obligation to protect free speech and open discourse on college campuses," Neily said. Will Hild, executive director of Consumers' Research, praised Bird for rallying states to oppose the Assassin’s Veto, calling on other campuses to follow suit and protect students’ right to debate diverse viewpoints.
The broader context includes ongoing debates over campus safety costs tied to speaking events and the balance between security and free expression. Kirk’s funeral is scheduled for Sunday in Arizona and is expected to be attended by President Donald Trump and other administration leaders. As universities confront security demands in a charged political climate, the letter from the attorneys general adds another chapter to a long-running dispute over how to safeguard safety without silencing speech on campus.
