JD Vance has voiced a startling appeal following a report of a doctor allegedly ‘celebrating’ the death of Charlie Kirk.
On September 10, political commentator Charlie Kirk was killed by a single bullet to the neck during a college event in Utah.
Authorities have asserted that the shooter acted alone, using a bolt-action rifle from a rooftop on campus, describing it as a ‘targeted attack’ on Kirk.
In the following days, the FBI announced the arrest of their prime suspect, Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old.
The assassination shook the nation, but it also stirred widespread discussion on social media and beyond.
Lexi Kuenzle, a nurse at Englewood Health, claimed her coworker Dr. Matthew Jung ‘celebrated’ the death of Kirk.
In her lawsuit against the hospital and Dr. Jung, Kuenzle alleged that Jung remarked Kirk ‘had it coming’ and ‘deserved it.’
Both Kuenzle and Dr. Jung were initially suspended, but while Kuenzle has been reinstated, Dr. Jung chose to resign.
Now, JD Vance, Vice President and a close friend of Kirk, has addressed critics with a call to action for supporters to ‘report’ inappropriate remarks.
Hosting ‘The Charlie Kirk Show’ podcast in honor of his friend, Vance stated, “When you see someone celebrating Charlie’s murder, call them out. And hell, call their employer.”
Vance urged Americans to embrace their ‘role’ in ‘civil society’ by reporting such behavior, adding, “We don’t believe in political violence, but we do believe in civility. And there is no civility in the celebration of political assassination.”
However, critics quickly pointed out that this initiative seems to contradict the Republican stance on free speech that Kirk supported.
“The Vice President of The United States of America is calling for a nationwide cancel culture regime,” one Twitter user commented.
Another remarked, “I don’t support trampling over someone’s grave, but this is pretty ridiculous. Not only is it a first amendment violation, but isn’t cancel culture something the right has been railing against for years now?”
Others perceived Vance’s proposal as suggesting an ‘un-American’ authoritarian regime.
Though some defended the idea, arguing that free speech ‘doesn’t mean free of consequences.’
“If you openly celebrate an assassination, don’t cry when people call your boss. That’s not censorship, that’s accountability. Charlie Kirk defended your right to speak, he didn’t defend your right to mock murder victims on the clock,” wrote one individual in response.
Business Insider reports that numerous companies have already terminated employees for inappropriate comments about the assassination, and in one instance for allegedly refusing to distribute fliers for Kirk’s memorial.
Among those issuing dismissals are major corporations like Microsoft, Delta Air Lines, and Office Depot.
A MSNBC analyst also faced termination for comments made live on television.
Matthew Dowd was dismissed after commenting, “Hateful thoughts lead to hateful words, which then lead to hateful actions” following the killing, for which he later apologized.
British punk duo Bob Vylan, known for the frontman’s politically charged statements after chanting ‘death to the IDF’ at Glastonbury, also had a performance canceled for remarks about Kirk’s murder.
“The pronouns was/were. Cause if you chat s*** you will get banged,” the singer stated in Amsterdam. “Rest in peace Charlie Kirk, you piece of s***.”
Charlie Kirk leaves behind his wife, Erika, and their two young children.
His funeral is scheduled to take place in his hometown of Arizona on Sunday (September 21), with President Trump, Vance, and other officials expected to attend.