Barack Obama has spoken out about the ‘political crisis’ in the US following the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.
The 31-year-old was tragically shot while attending an event hosted by his organization, Turning Point USA, at Utah Valley University last week.
Kirk was initiating his ‘American Comeback Tour’ on campus when he was shot during a Q&A session in an outdoor area.
Tyler Robinson, 22, is the suspect in custody, facing multiple charges including aggravated murder and obstruction of justice, after surrendering to authorities.
The charges against Robinson are listed as follows:
In light of these events, former President Obama addressed the situation during a speaking engagement in Pennsylvania, describing the incident as ‘horrific and a tragedy,’ despite his differing views with Kirk.
As reported by CNN, Obama stated: “Look, obviously I didn’t know Charlie Kirk. I was generally aware of some of his ideas. I think those ideas were wrong, but that doesn’t negate the fact that what happened was a tragedy and that I mourn for him and his family.”
He further expressed: “He’s a young man with two small children and a wife who obviously – and a huge number of friends and supporters who cared about him.
“And so, we have to extend grace to people during their period of mourning and shock.
“I think at moments like this, when tensions are high, then part of the job of the president is to pull people together.”
Obama also called on Americans to ‘respect other people’s right to say things that we profoundly disagree with’.
During his address in Erie, Obama commented: “And so when I hear not just our current president, but his aides, who have a history of calling political opponents ‘vermin’, enemies who need to be ‘targeted,’ that speaks to a broader problem that we have right now and something that we’re going to have to grapple with, all of us.”
The White House responded to Obama’s remarks, issuing a statement to the BBC: “Obama used every opportunity to sow division and pit Americans against each other.
“His division has inspired generations of Democrats to slander their opponents as ‘deplorables,’ or ‘fascists,’ or ‘Nazis’.”