Activist Kirk’s Murder Raises Concerns About Lawmaker Security

Sept. 11, 2025, 6:16 PM UTC

The killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk has spurred fear and anxiety throughout the Capitol as lawmakers question how safe they are from political violence.

Kirk, a high-profile ally of President Donald Trump, was shot Wednesday by an assailant. While congressional Republicans mourn Kirk’s death, they’re also reckoning with the growing threat of political violence. The incident has reignited bipartisan conversations about how best to protect members of Congress and candidates.

“We’ve got to protect people who run for public office, or no one will,” Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) told reporters Thursday.

Earlier this year, a bipartisan group of House ...

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