The last few days as I write this have been a lot. I ended up having to just completely log off because of how toxic everything was getting. It went from people posting thoughts and prayers and both sides decrying the shooting to people cheering and celebrating the news once he had passed away. The humanity in all spaces just seemed to be sucked out of the air and was replaced by disgusting and vile posts, comments, and videos.
When the news first broke that there had been a shooting at a Turning Point USA event Charlie Kirk was at, I figured someone took a shot at him and missed. Even when they said that he was hit I figured it had to be a non-fatal injury. It never crossed my mind that someone would have gone to the lengths the perpetrator went to to kill Charlie. Charlie was not someone who ever called for violence or confrontations, he rather called for discourse and debate. He even went on Democratic shows and podcasts like the one launched by California Gov. Gavin Newsom earlier this year. He was the guest for the first episode.
As all of the videos started to blow up and saturate social media work across all of the offices I know of came to an abrupt stop. Staff and USCP were both stuck watching the news and scouring social media for answers. Even when they initially stated they had arrested the shooter people were still expressing belief that Charlie would pull through even though I think most of us knew deep down he was gone. Once that news came out the building I work in was dead silent. Within an hour looking out the window you could see most staffers both Republican and Democrat leaving work and heading home. People were quiet and it was clear that everyone was experiencing shell shock.
Typically, when I get home that’s when I start catching up on social media and talking with people on SN. However, social media was a clear no go due to what had already started circulating and I was honestly disappointed to see vile despicable comments and posts being made on SN. Throughout the evening, I got calls from friends and family asking what was going on in DC and if I had any news. I had nothing to offer though then whatever the rumor was circulating at the time.
Thursday and Friday continued with as some of the strangest days I have seen the last 4 years on The Hill. Everyone has been and continued to be completely shellshocked. DC itself was one of the emptiest I had seen since COVID and you didn’t see the typical protests going on that had been going on.
This last weekend I took time to myself to reset. I hardly watched any sports or do anything but rest and sleep for a long week ahead. Even though I am a diehard A&M fan I only saw roughly a quarter of the game before I fell asleep and woke up at 5 pm Sunday.
The crowds that rallied around his family this weekend but in the U.S. and across the world were remarkable. His wife’s words ring clear and true right now….. we will carry on what he started. We will not forget and millions of Charlie Kirks were created not necessarily Republican ones but those on the Left as well who refuse to be silenced.
Is this a jumbled mess or words? Yeah but it has been incredibly hard to think and put together a concise post given everything that has occurred. Having to pass the DNC everyday to get to work we already have had two bomb threats called in. I will say though unlike other instances were masses have gathered and rallied around each other violence is not occurring and that is exactly what Charlie would have wanted. There are tons more of racing thoughts I have had but between what happened in Charlotte followed quickly by Charlie's assassination and then the 24th anniversary of 9/11 it has really caused staffers in particular to take a moment and look inwards.