Political Divide Widens After Charlie Kirk Assassination: Kelly and Paul Respond
The assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk has ignited a heated debate about free speech and political violence. In the wake of the tragedy, Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) discussed his family’s experience with political violence in an exclusive interview, while "libertarian" Rand Paul called for a national crackdown on online speech.
Mark Kelly Reflects on Political Violence
Mark Kelly, who has personal experience with political violence following the shooting of his wife, former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, spoke to Meet the Press on September 14, 2025, about the need for a more civil political discourse. His appearance came in direct response to the recent death of Charlie Kirk and the ensuing reactions.
Rand Paul's Call for a "Crackdown"
Rand Paul, often described as a "libertarian," is drawing criticism for his call for a "crackdown" on online speech following the assassination of Charlie Kirk. He cited his own experience of being assaulted, stating that online comments wishing harm upon him should be removed.
“I was assaulted six, seven years ago, attacked from behind, had six ribs broken and part of my lung removed, and still online, on a daily basis people say they wish that it would happen to me all over again,” Paul said Tuesday on Fox Business. “And by sort of making light of what I suffered, they are encouraging other people to do it. That oughta be taken down, and social media oughta be able to take that down."
Paul argues that the First Amendment does not grant unlimited freedom of speech and compared it to military conduct codes, saying, “People say, ‘Oh people have a right to say things.’ Well, actually, they don’t necessarily have a right to say things; many people have in their contract what we call a morals clause … or a conduct clause. I think it is time for this to be a crackdown on people."
Hypocrisy Accusations and the Free Speech Debate
Critics point to the apparent hypocrisy of figures like Rand Paul and Vice President JD Vance, who have previously championed free speech but are now calling for restrictions in the wake of Kirk’s assassination. Vance urged people to "call out" and "call their employer" of anyone celebrating Kirk's death. Others like Chaya Raichik and Laura Loomer have engaged in doxing campaigns. The Washington Post fired Karen Attiah for her views on Kirk.
Kirk's Own Words Resurface
Medhi Hasan of Zeteo highlighted Charlie Kirk's past statements on free speech, where he stated, “Hate speech does not legally exist in America. There’s ugly speech. There’s gross speech. There’s evil speech. And ALL of it is protected by the First Amendment. Keep America free.” This contrast underscores the complex and often contradictory nature of the free speech debate in the current political climate.
