Secret Service staff celebrates assassination of Charlie Kirk
- A Secret Service employee was placed on administrative leave for celebrating Charlie Kirk's assassination online.
- Another university employee justified the assassination due to Kirk's gun rights advocacy.
- The incidents have sparked national outrage and discussions about political speech and violence.
In the United States, a Secret Service employee known as Anthony Pough was placed on administrative leave after making an inflammatory Facebook post celebrating the assassination of Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA. Kirk was shot on September 11, 2025, at a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University and succumbed to his injuries shortly thereafter. Pough's post not only celebrated Kirk's death but also accused him of promoting hate and racism, calling it 'karma' for his views. Pough expressed a lack of sympathy for the victim, suggesting that those mourning Kirk should unfriend him. In a separate incident, Anthony Pohorilak, an assistant director at George Washington University, echoed similar sentiments, asserting that Kirk's assassination was 'fair' because of his advocacy for gun rights amidst ongoing gun violence in the nation. This post received significant backlash and demonstrated a disturbing endorsement of violence against those who hold opposing views. Pohorilak's Facebook statement included dismissive remarks regarding thoughts and prayers following tragedies related to gun violence. In the wake of Kirk's assassination, public outrage has surged, leading to numerous social media posts celebrating or justifying the incident. These reactions have resulted in firings from various organizations, including the NFL's Carolina Panthers and staff members from different universities who made insensitive comments online. The need for accountability and the implications of fostering a culture of violence against political figures have been highlighted, showcasing a troubling trend in political discourse. Furthermore, Tennessee Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn has called for the termination of Pough, stating that behaviors suggesting violence against individuals based on their political beliefs are unacceptable. This distressing sequence of events has provoked national discussions about the consequences of holding extreme political views and the responsibilities that come with public discourse. As investigations into these statements and actions unfold, both cases have ignited significant debate regarding free speech and its limits when it comes to advocating violence.