Lawmakers re-evaluate Public Appearances Following Charlie Kirk Assassination
WASHINGTON – In the wake of the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk Wednesday at a Utah Valley University event, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are reassessing the security protocols surrounding public appearances, especially outdoor events. The shooting,which occurred while Kirk was speaking to thousands,has prompted concerns about the vulnerability of politicians and public figures to attacks from elevated positions.
Authorities have recovered the weapon used in the shooting but the suspect remains at large. The incident drew immediate comparisons to a similar attempted assassination of President Trump during a July 2024 campaign rally in Pennsylvania, where a gunman fired from a rooftop. This parallel has fueled the debate over security measures and the potential need to limit large, open-air events.
House Oversight Chairman James Comer emphasized the difficulty of securing such events. “You could have had a fleet of security guards, and no one woudl have noticed a guy laying down on a rooftop,” Comer told reporters. He suggested a potential decrease in the number of outdoor events attended by members of Congress, “at least in the short term,” as security concerns are addressed.
House Speaker Mike Johnson echoed the sentiment, stating, “We have colleagues on both sides of the aisle who are in a different place this morning than they were yesterday.People have been shaken by this event.” He directly attributed Kirk’s death to an assassination motivated by his beliefs.”If you’re going to honour the memory of Charlie Kirk, you do what he did. You stand for your ideas, but you do it with the right spirit, and that’s what we’re going to try to advance right here as leaders.”
Republican Sen. John Curtis, representing Utah, acknowledged the impact of the assassination on his own future engagements. “I’m not gonna lie, I’m gonna think twice next time I’m in a major parade, just a few blocks away, right?” Curtis told CBS News’ Major Garrett on “The Takeout.” “I think all of us are going to be rethinking some things. And I hope we come up with a way that allows us to stay very, very connected to those we represent.”
the reassessment of security protocols comes as lawmakers grapple with balancing accessibility to constituents with the increasing threat of politically motivated violence. While the long-term impact on public appearances remains to be seen,the assassination of Charlie Kirk has undeniably prompted a critical re-evaluation of security measures for elected officials.
