Fort Worth Democrat Councilwoman Elizabeth Beck is under fire after posting an Instagram story mocking Charlie Kirk hours after his assassination.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, Beck posted a screenshot of a Newsweek headline quoting Kirk about deaths involving firearms and the Second Amendment. She wrote “Unfortunate” over his image. The post was quickly deleted but drew swift condemnation statewide.
“When you take an oath of office, you have a responsibility to encourage civility, kindness, and decency,” Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker said. “Yesterday we saw the worst example of this by one of my fellow Council Members, essentially condoning violence because of someone’s political views. It is very clear that the killing of Charlie Kirk was a political assassination, and there is no justification for evil.”
Councilmember Charles Lauersdorf echoed Parker’s remarks. “But what I find truly reprehensible, though, is when elected officials, whom we hold to higher standards, join in on this kind of rhetoric. One of my colleagues, Councilwoman Beck, posted something along these lines. While I am glad she promptly deleted it, it was still disappointing,” Lauersdorf wrote on Facebook.
Councilmember Macy Hill also commented. “I think it is reprehensible that anyone would, much less an elected official, post such hateful material in light of such a heartbreaking and senseless tragedy,” Hill told The Dallas Express. “Regardless of where you stand on the political spectrum, there is no place for political violence, and elected officials should not be fanning the flames.”
“We live in a free democracy where countless men and women gave their lives to protect our right to hold and share our own opinions. We will not always agree, but disagreement must never turn to violence,” Councilmember Michael Crain told The Dallas Express.
Members of Congress also weighed in. “This Councilwoman should be ashamed of her tasteless and inappropriate post. She lacks humanity when it matters most,” Congressman Brandon Gill told The Dallas Express. “Danielle and I are heartbroken by Charlie Kirk’s tragic murder. We are praying for his wife, Erika, and his two young children amidst their unimaginable grief.”