🔗 Share this article

On Monday evening, an extensive effort to track down, intimidate, and harass people viewed as celebrating the death of rightwing commentator Charlie Kirk received backing by JD Vance.

During a guest appearance on the late commentator’s show, the Vice-President stated that those who “see someone celebrating Charlie’s murder” should publicly identify them”. Vance went on to say: “In fact, call their employer. We are opposed in violent tactics, but we strongly support in civility, and there is no civility in the celebration of political assassination.”

Over recent days, numerous workers across diverse fields—including university faculty to an airline pilot—were terminated over their comments about Kirk’s death.

A nameless website that began gathering reports of critical “political extremism” stated it had received over 63,000 reports. Initially called “Expose Charlie’s Murderers”, the site rebranded on Monday to the “Kirk Memorial Initiative”.

Supporters of former President Trump have sought to link Kirk’s killing—absent proof—to what they label as a coordinated leftwing “extremist” movement that endorses targeted attacks. This has sparked fears of a draconian crackdown on expression.

On the show, the Vice-President announced that the government would “aim to break down the organizations that promote aggression and terrorism in our nation”.

Joining Vance on the program was Stephen Miller, who pledged to crack down on what he referred to as a “vast homegrown extremist network” he held responsible for the killing.

“I solemnly swear,” Miller said, “we are going to use every resource at the Department of Justice, homeland security, and throughout this administration to locate, disrupt, dismantle, and eliminate these networks.”

The political leanings of the assailant are not yet known, and the United States has experienced a surge of violence in recent years that has targeted both Democrats and conservatives.

However, the dragnet has also ensnared those who voiced disapproval of the late activist, a Christian nationalist with a record of misogynistic and racist speeches. A number have simply quoted the commentator’s statements or been targeted for failing to grieve his death.

An example of a target was military officer a service member, who quoted the commentator on the day of his killing. Among the quotes were Kirk labeling the landmark legislation as a “monster” that “became an anti-white weapon”, and his assertion that some firearm fatalities are the price of the Second Amendment.

Republican-controlled states such as the Sunshine State, Oklahoma, and Texas have launched investigations into teachers alleged of making offensive comments after last week’s killing. Additionally, the US military has invited citizens to report those who “celebrate or mock” the killing, and stated that some troops have already been removed for their statements.

Appeals for a strong response by Vance and other administration figures have brought back recollections of some of the most troubling periods in American history.

“Official participation in this brings it nearer to resembling the Red Scare,” said Adam Goldstein of the free speech organization, referring to the 1950s campaign to eliminate communists that resulted in unfounded accusations and destroyed livelihoods. “That was hardly a shining moment for free expression.”

Liberal figures have themselves been victims of political violence recently, such as the summer killing of a Minnesota state lawmaker and her spouse, and the 2022 beating of ex-congresswoman a Democratic leader’s husband in their California residence.