After an assassin murdered Charlie Kirk, President Donald Trump announced plans to honor him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
“I will soon be awarding Charlie Kirk posthumously the Presidential Medal of Freedom,” Trump announced during a September 11 observance event in remembrance of the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
“Charlie was a giant of his generation, a champion of liberty, and an inspiration to millions and millions of people,” said Trump.
After a ceremony remembering the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Trump announced plans to award the Medal of Freedom to Kirk. Previous recipients included Mother Teresa, Billy Graham, Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., and Muhammad Ali.
Kirk was answering students’ questions at Utah Valley University when a single shot rang out around 12:10 p.m. September 10, as The Dallas Express reported. He was taken to a local hospital, where he died.
“We miss him greatly,” Trump said. “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.”
Kirk co-founded the nonprofit Turning Point USA at age 18, which has since expanded to reach patriotic youth at colleges across America. He was a prominent leader in the conservative movement and left behind a legacy of faith, family, and freedom.
He is survived by his wife, Erika, and their young son and daughter.
Trump has ordered flags flown at half-mast in Kirk’s memory until sunset on September 14.
Police initially took into custody two suspects in Kirk’s assassination, then released them after questioning. The FBI has launched a nationwide manhunt and is asking the public to share any information about Kirk’s assassin to its tip line.