Republican lawmakers, conservative leaders and Trump administration officials shared personal stories during a memorial ceremony and prayer vigil for Conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was killed in the Kennedy Center on Sunday night.
More than 2,000 attendees filled the center to honor Mr. Kirk’s legacy and provide prayers.
VIPs who came to power and spoke and prayed included House Speaker Mike Johnson, Louisiana Republican; Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence; Robert F. Kennedy Jr, Secretary of Health and Human Services; Karoline Leavitt, White House Press Secretary; Kari Lake, Senior Advisor to Global Media Organizations; Republican Representative. and Arizona Senator Jake Hoffman, Republican.
Mr. Johnson described Kirk, 31, the co-founder of Cape Trillin, as an effective leader because his true nature and ability “teach others so effectively.”
Mr Johnson said: “Charlie Kirk recruits, trains and educates a generation of happy warriors and we’ll be a great reminder that the best way to remember his memory and respect his unparalleled legacy is to live like Charlie.”
Ms Levitt recalls that Mr Kirk’s TPUSA PAC “accepted” her first attempt at the 2022 Congressional game, when others in Washington ignored her campaign.
“Most of the people in this town, almost all of them, didn’t take me seriously,” she said. “But, Charlie Kirk did. Charlie and his political PAC, turned around and immediately hugged me with open arms and endorsed my campaign.”
Mr. Kennedy received a raucous applause as he took the stage, revealing that Mr. Kirk was the key to bringing him and Trump together, and his 17-year-old niece recently left college to pack up the Bible and told her mother that she “imagines Charlie Kirk.”
“I did it [Charlie’s] podcast. We are soul mates. We are spiritual brothers, we are friends, and our friendship flourishes over the next few years. “He ended up being the main architect of my unity with President Trump,” he said.
Worship music is provided by Christian record artist Sean Feucht, who leads the crowd to sing “Amazing Grace” and “How Great Our God is.”
The event was held within 48 hours by two former Turning Point USA team members Malia Shirley and Charlotte Perez and 80 volunteers.
A prayer commemorates Mr. Kirk’s rise to prominence across the country and around the world during an event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday.
In a social media post, U.S. Turn Point Official Andrew Kolvet announced that the organization has been flooded with demands for new campus chapters for high school and college students within 48 hours.
The U.S. turn points currently have about 900 college chapters and 1,200 high school chapters.
“Charlie’s vision of owning the American Club Section (our high school brand) in every high school in the United States (about 23,000) will be much faster than he thought.”
Mr. Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, said the campus journey to turn to the United States will continue. It is scheduled to take place on September 18 at Colorado State University in Fort Collins.
Mr Kirk’s public memorial service is expected to be held on Sunday, September 21 in Arizona.
Mr. Kirk was shot dead while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday. The killings led to support from 31-year-old conservative activists nationwide and globally.
Law enforcement officers arrested Tyler Robinson, 22, of Utah, on charges of murdering Mr. Kirk. Mr Robinson is expected to be officially charged this week. Law enforcement continues to investigate what prompted the shooting suspect.
•Seth McLaughlin contributed to the report.
