Conservative speaker Charlie Kirk has been assassinated in a despicable and cowardly act of political terrorism.
America was founded as a free marketplace of ideas, where we can exchange and debate our opinions rather than silencing one another with violence.
Charlie was a tireless advocate for youth engagement and spoke fearlessly, inviting people to join in discussion, rather than browbeating or cudgeling others into silence.
We should fiercely defend the right to speak and think, and just as fiercely condemn the tyranny of censorship and political violence.
Only by embracing what makes us free and American can we rise above the darkest parts of our humanity.
Rest with the Lord, Charlie.
