Former President Barack Obama condemned the assassination of Charlie Kirk and the recent wave of political violence that has swept the nation, while also rebuking President Donald Trump for politicizing the tragedy. Speaking in Erie, Pennsylvania, at a Jefferson Educational Society event, Obama called Kirk’s murder “horrific and a tragedy,” emphasizing that America’s democratic system is built on the idea that people can disagree without resorting to violence. He stated that political violence, even against those you oppose, is “a threat to all of us,” and we must be “clear and forthright in condemning them.”
Obama acknowledged that while he was aware of some of Kirk’s ideas and believed them to be wrong, he still mourns for his family. He also made it clear that a tragedy like this doesn’t mean people can’t debate the ideas promoted by the victims of political violence. He was critical of the Trump administration for immediately accusing the “far-left” of being responsible for the shooting before any details about the perpetrator had even been released.
