While prominent MAGA voices cried "war" and blamed the "other side" for Charlie Kirk's murder, another coalition is urging its peers to blame the shooter rather than their political rivals.
The big picture: Administration officials' rush to blame the left, coupled with a campaign to name and shame Kirk critics, sparked fears — even among some Republicans — that the government will seize this moment to suppress dissent and exact retribution.
- Immediately after Kirk's assassination, MAGA coalesced around a shadowy foe: they.
Driving the news: But in a Wednesday Wall Street Journal opinion piece, Republican strategist Karl Rove wrote, "No. Charlie Kirk wasn't killed by 'them.' 'They' didn't pull the trigger. One person did, apparently a young man driven by impulse and a terrible hate."
- Rove, the former deputy chief of staff to former President George W. Bush, lamented the "sad, sickening week" following Kirk's death and lauded "his extraordinary life."
- But he emphasized that "using Charlie's murder to justify retaliation against political rivals is wrong and dangerous" and will "further divide and embitter our country."
What we're watching: Rove framed Kirk's memorial service this Sunday, which Trump and other top Republicans will attend, as a chance to pivot.
- It "could be a moment when Americans see people of prominence remind us that our republic's continuance depends on debating important ideas with both passion and mutual respect."
Zoom out: Saying he was "heartsick" over Kirk's death, former Vice President Mike Pence on Thursday similarly called for individual accountability, saying on CNBC there was only "one person responsible for Charlie Kirk's assassination."
- Pence, who broke from Trump after the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, said that public officials can "of course" do better in how they speak about the country's issues, adding "democracy depends on heavy doses of civility."
Catch up quick: Tyler Robinson, 22, was charged with murder in the fatal shooting. Prosecutors will seek the death penalty.
- Law enforcement has said they believe Robinson worked alone but are investigating whether others knew about his plans.
- Despite that, Stephen Miller, Trump's deputy chief of staff, blamed "terrorist networks" for Kirk's death, saying the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security will "identify, disrupt, dismantle and destroy" the alleged groups.
- Trump has repeatedly pinned blame for the violence on the left's rhetoric.
State of play: On the Hill, lawmakers such as House Speaker Mike Johnson have called for calmer political rhetoric — amid social media battles, shouting matches and discomfort.
- Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) said Tuesday that he believed there were "a disproportionate number of voices on the left that are celebrating" the murders of Kirk or UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson,
- But he added, "Within 24 hours of Mr. Kirk's shooting we had the guy that does the podcast for the War Room ... say 'we're at war.'" He later added, "There are people out here on our side of the aisle that still need to look in the mirror."
Zoom in: Teachers, media personalities, airline workers and even late-night host Jimmy Kimmel have faced professional repercussions for criticizing Kirk or seemingly minimizing his death.
- Attorney General Pam Bondi said on a Monday podcast that the DOJ would "absolutely target you, go after you, if you are targeting anyone with hate speech" — later telling Axios in a statement she meant criminal groups or people inciting violence.
- Ex-Fox News star Tucker Carlson slammed her comments as a "lie" on his show and feared Kirk's death could be "leveraged to bring hate speech laws."
Go deeper: Charlie Kirk killing deepens America's violent spiral
