The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday that the ammunition cartridges found with the bolt-action rifle used to kill conservative activist Charlie Kirk had transgender and anti-fascist sentiments written on them.
The rifle was found on Wednesday night in a wooded area where the FBI thinks the killer ran away after the attack.
It was covered in a towel and still had three empty bullet cartridges in the chamber. The Journal said that each of them had “expressions of transgender and antifascist ideology” carved into them, citing an internal law enforcement alert and a person who was familiar with the investigation.
Robert Bohls, the head of the FBI’s Salt Lake City office, told reporters this morning that officers found “a high-powered bolt action rifle” in “a wooded area where the shooter had fled.”
In a post on X, Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said that the State Department will “take action” against “foreigners” in the U.S. who he said are “praising, rationalizing, or making light of” Kirk’s assassination on social media.
“In light of yesterday’s horrific assassination of a leading political figure, I want to underscore that foreigners who glorify violence and hatred are not welcome visitors to our country,” Landau wrote on X. “I have been disgusted to see some on social media praising, rationalizing, or making light of the event, and have directed our consular officials to undertake appropriate action. Please feel free to bring such comments by foreigners to my attention so that the @StateDept can protect the American people.”
In his post, Landau did not clarify what particular group “foreigners” referred to. He also didn’t mention what “taking action” against people would look like and whether that could include deportation.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth paid tribute to Kirk at the 9/11 remembrance ceremony this morning at the Pentagon.
“The young firefighters who answered the call give me hope. The young agents who patrol our border give me hope. The life example, and even death, of Christ follower and American patriot Charlie Kirk give me hope,” he said.
“Sheer courage, no matter the arena,” Hegseth said. “Charlie, we love you. Oh, we know that you have heard the Lord’s words. Well done, good and faithful servant.”
He added, “Like those on 9/11, you’ll never be forgotten.”
Trump just announced during an address at the Pentagon commemorating 9/11 that he will be giving Charlie Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously. He added that while the date will be announced soon, “I can only guarantee you one thing, we will have a very big crowd, very, very big.”
“Before we begin, let me express the horror and grief so many Americans at the heinous assassination of Charlie Kirk have felt. Charlie was a giant of his generation, a champion of liberty and an inspiration to millions and millions of people,” he said to start his remarks.
“Our prayers are with his wonderful wife, Erika, and his beautiful children — fantastic people they are. We miss him greatly, yet I have no doubt that Charlie’s voice and the courage he put into the hearts of countless people, especially young people, will live on.”
