Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mont., called the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk a “watershed moment” and urged Americans to de-escalate political disagreements, saying violence must not become part of political discourse.
Zinke made the remarks Friday during an appearance on NewsNation’s program The Hill, echoing comments by Utah Gov. Spencer Cox and urging people to find ways to talk across differences rather than resort to violence. "This is, you know, as the governor pointed out, a watershed moment," Zinke said. "Are we going to continue this? Are we going to continue to not be able to have dialogue and talk to your neighbor?"
Kirk, 31, the co-founder of Turning Point USA, was shot on the campus of Utah Valley University on Wednesday afternoon and was taken to a hospital in critical condition before being pronounced dead. Authorities identified the alleged gunman as 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, who, after a multi-day manhunt, turned himself in to police following appeals from family members.
Turning Point USA announced plans for a large public memorial service at an Arizona football stadium. Vigils and memorials for Kirk were held in multiple cities as supporters and opponents of his politics reacted to the killing.
Zinke said he had been disheartened by social media posts and recent episodes of political violence and invoked several high-profile attacks when making his case for a national reckoning over rhetoric and behavior. He referenced an incident in Minnesota in which Vance Boelter has been charged with killing former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman, her husband Mark and their dog at their home in Minneapolis, and with shooting Minnesota state Sen. John Hoffman, his wife, and attempting to shoot their daughter.
During a Friday news conference, Utah Gov. Cox called for civility and warned that Americans must choose an "off-ramp" from escalating political anger. "This is our moment: Do we escalate or do we find an off-ramp? It’s a choice," Cox said. He recounted his own emotional response to the killing and noted a line he attributed to Kirk: "When people stop talking, that’s when you get violence."
Zinke said the nation’s strength lies in the ability to disagree without resorting to violence. "In our country, the strength is that, you know, we may agree or disagree, but disagreement should never result in violence," he said on the program.
Other widely reported politically motivated attacks in recent years have prompted public debate over partisan rhetoric and security for public figures, including the 2022 attack on Paul Pelosi, the husband of then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Zinke said the country must reflect on those incidents as it responds to Kirk’s killing.
Zinke’s comments came as law enforcement continued investigative steps related to the shooting and as political leaders called for de-escalation. Zinke’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The killing has intensified discussions in Washington and state capitals about the tone of political discourse, security for activists and public figures, and the role of social media in amplifying confrontations. Officials and civic leaders said they would be watching for whether the country heeds calls to reduce incendiary rhetoric and seeks ways to restore civil political engagement.
Authorities in Utah have released limited details about the investigation and have not publicly outlined a motive. Prosecutors and local law enforcement said they would provide updates as the case develops.