Charlie Kirk, RIP: Christian, Father, Friend to Democracy
With one bullet, its casing engraved with “Hey Fascist! Catch!” Robinson executed the young father in front of thousands of his supporters.
By John Hatzis
This article was originally published by The Collegian on October 26, 2025. CheckPoint News edited this article to match its style guidelines and cross-posted it here with permission.
On September 10, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson assassinated Charlie Kirk at an event at Utah State University. With one bullet, its casing engraved with “Hey Fascist! Catch!” Robinson executed the young father in front of thousands of his supporters.
We can be sure that Kirk is with the Lord. Even after this horrific shooting, hope still abounds. Yet we mourn for his young children who will never see their father again. Their lives will be haunted by story of his death. They will spend their lives just clicks away from viewing their father’s brutal murder.
We mourn for Kirk’s wife, separated from the love of her life. Erika Kirk’s heroic address to the nation illustrates her immense love for her husband and this country. In the next life, her tears will be wiped away, but for now, they will continue to fall.
Reflecting on Kirk’s Legacy
Kirk is not the sum of the ideas he represents. I disagree with him on all sorts of political issues, but that is irrelevant to his humanity. Kirk ought to be viewed as the loving father and husband he was.
In a June interview, Kirk was asked what he wanted to be remembered for. He answered,
“I want to be remembered for courage for my faith … The most important thing [to me] is my faith.”
If we are to mourn Kirk well, we should honor his wishes. Christians do not belong to this world. Ideological disagreements, political parties and social movements will pass away. Kirk recognized that the God we put our faith in will not pass away and lived accordingly.
As we grapple with the national implications of Kirk’s death, it would be worthwhile to reflect on his lifelong vocation. Whatever you feel about his policy prescriptions, Kirk was a man who sought to channel the merited resentment of young voters into nonviolent forms of expression. Kirk, above all, encouraged participation in the democratic system. Hardly a radical, Kirk wanted to preserve the American Dream and the republic that made it possible.
Kirk wanted young people to act on their discontentment with political engagement. Turning Point USA is the most effective youth outreach organization in the country. The key word in the title of Kirk’s speaking tour, “Prove Me Wrong,” is the word “prove.” Kirk believed in free and open conversation, in asking questions and searching for answers. Disputes at events would be handled through debate. The political objective of Kirk’s work was to convince his audience to back a movement he believed would better the country. (READ MORE: Charlie Kirk: An Education in Truth)
The central promise of Kirk’s work was to solve the problems of our nation through the ballot, not the bullet. That his voice was ultimately silenced by a bullet should harrow us all.
The Aftermath
Following the assassination, the media and establishment politicians did as they always do, deflecting blame and weaponizing the tragedy for their own ends. We ought to be clear when describing attempts to disrupt congressional prayer and to blame the victim for his own murder: These are despicable acts deliberately sowing further hate.
Many are enraged by the mainstream media’s repulsive rhetoric, and certainly anger is warranted. Without our national idolization of politics, which artfully masquerades as civic virtue, young men would not be shooting political figures. But our fury is the devil’s goal. The proper response to the demonic forces at work is not to hate them back. The devil will always win that battle. Our calling is to shut evil out by letting love in.
Kirk’s murder reminds us that this world is not our home. Love must shine through while we remain here. Mainstream media and social media may be forces of tremendous evil, but we know their works will pass away. (READ MORE: Charlie Kirk and the Great Awakening)
Kirk should be honored for his fearless, nonviolent political engagement. A Christian response to this tragedy will be the one that goes the farthest: mourning with his family, remembering him for his inspiring faith and shutting out the voices of evil that seek to further inflame the nation.
About the Author
John Hatzis is an English major with minors in Classical Christian Education, History, Philosophy, and Political Science. He is a Marketing Fellow with the Institute, with interests in faith-based education and the role of traditional Christianity in the arts and popular culture.
He has interned with several political campaigns and has served as a junior counselor at Boys State, a civics education program, for three years. On campus, he also hosts the Colloquium, a podcast sponsored by Cogitare Magazine, serves as Perspectives Editor of The Collegian, and is Vice President of the campus Intercollegiate Studies Institute chapter. After graduation, he seeks to pursue a career in Christian education.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed are those of the writer alone and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grove City College, the Institute for Faith and Freedom, or their affiliates.
Cover Image: Mark Schellhase, Wikimedia Commons (License) (Cropped).