Governor Ron DeSantis strongly condemned the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot during a campus event at Utah Valley University in September 2025. DeSantis expressed deep personal grief, noting that he and First Lady Casey DeSantis had known Kirk for over a decade and were praying for his family. He described Kirk as a “warrior for liberty” and called his assassination a national tragedy.
DeSantis demanded swift justice, calling for a rapid death penalty prosecution of the shooter, emphasizing that the process should not “take forever in a day”. He characterized the killing as a political assassination that targeted free speech and civil discourse, stating Kirk was murdered while engaging in good-faith debate on a college campus. DeSantis argued that such violence threatens the foundation of republican government, saying, “a republican government cannot endure if we cannot have situations where it’s safe to disagree”.
The governor also supported disciplinary actions against public employees, including teachers and nurses, who celebrated or “revelled” in Kirk’s death on social media. He endorsed investigations into four Osceola County teachers and backed Florida Education Commissioner Stasi Kamoutsas’ warning that such conduct could lead to job loss and license revocation. DeSantis stated, “I would not want my kids in a classroom being taught by a teacher who thought it was fit to revel in the assassination of a young father of two”.
His stance drew criticism from the ACLU of Florida, which argued that calling for job terminations over political speech undermines First Amendment rights, calling the government’s response “alarming”. Despite this, DeSantis maintained that while individuals have the right to free speech, public trust in positions like teaching requires appropriate conduct.
DeSantis also reflected on Kirk’s legacy, suggesting his influence has grown since his death, with more people watching his past speeches and debates. He recalled Kirk’s early support during his 2012 congressional campaign and praised his dedication to bringing conservative ideas to college campuses.
