The White House is using the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk as a basis to go after left-wing groups and threaten crackdowns on certain types of rhetoric, drawing skepticism from even some on the right.
Vice President Vance on Monday urged the public to report anyone they saw celebrating Kirk’s murder, comments that appeared at odds with his previous criticism of Europe for suppressing free speech.
“When you see someone celebrating Charlie’s murder, call them out. And, hell, call their employer,” Vance said while hosting Kirk’s radio show on Monday.
Vance’s remarks did not come in a vacuum. The State Department said this week it was revoking visas for those found celebrating Kirk’s death.
And Attorney General Pam Bondi raised eyebrows when she said the administration would “go after you if you are targeting anyone with hate speech.” The attorney general separately threatened to prosecute Office Depot over an employee’s refusal to print posters for a vigil honoring Kirk.
