Vice President Vance Honors Assassinated Conservative Activist Charlie Kirk

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Vice President JD Vance paid tribute to Charlie Kirk, CEO of Turning Point USA, following his assassination last week during a university event in Orem, Utah. Vance described Kirk as a “joyful warrior for our country” and blamed “left-wing extremism” for playing a role in his friend’s death.

Kirk, who was 31 years old, was killed on Wednesday, prompting Vance to fill in for him on a podcast episode where several White House officials, including Stephen Miller and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., appeared as guests. Vance remarked that Kirk significantly contributed to Donald Trump‘s presidential victory through his efforts and support.

“The last several days have been extremely hard for our country,” Vance said during the two-hour podcast. He recounted visiting Kirk’s widow, Erika, the day after the assassination while helping transport Kirk’s casket back to Arizona.

“I had no idea what to say,” Vance said. “I didn’t try to console her, because how can you console a person who just lost a loving husband and father?”

On Friday, Erika Kirk addressed her husband’s death for the first time in a livestream, pledging that his mission would continue. “If you thought that my husband’s mission was powerful before, you have no idea what you just have unleashed,” she stated.

During the podcast, Vance criticized left-wing extremism and called it an “incredibly destructive” movement, suggesting it contributed to Kirk’s shooting. Stephen Miller echoed his sentiments and committed to using government resources to combat extremist violence. “With God as my witness, we’re going to use every resource we have,” Miller said.

Police arrested Tyler Robinson, 22, of Utah, hours after Kirk’s death in connection to the murder and he is being held without bail, with a court appearance scheduled for Tuesday at 5 p.m. ET.