Shortly after the assassination of Turning Point USA CEO and Founder Charlie Kirk, the Department of State (DOS) announced that it will not grant visas to foreigners who have a record of congratulating the event on social media. Present visa-holders who violate the DOS guidance may get their visas revoked additionally if the same offense is made.
On the day following the assassination, Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau warned foreigners in the US that any “making light” of Kirk’s, or any other US political figure’s, death, and promotion of political violence, would be subject to some form of discipline for such conduct.
“In light of yesterday’s horrific assassination of a leading political figure, I want to underscore that foreigners who glorify violence and hatred are not welcome visitors to our country. I have been disgusted to see some on social media praising, rationalizing, or making light of the event, and have directed our consular officials to undertake appropriate action. Please feel free to bring such comments by foreigners to my attention so that the @StateDept can protect the American people,” he stated on X.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a similar warning, emphasizing visa status, a few days after Kirk’s assassination.
“If you are here on a visa and cheering on the public assassination of a political figure, prepare to be deported. You are not welcome in this country,” the Secretary of State said.
According to the Charlie Kirk Data Foundation, which tracks social media users who promote and welcome “political violence,” on September 14, over 63,000 social media users were found to have made congratulatory statements about the death of Kirk.
