An upcoming vote to honor conservative icon Charlie Kirk and condemn his assassination reportedly has House Democrats fuming that they’re “being totally set up.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson introduced the resolution, and it has been co-sponsored by 165 House Republicans. Zero Democrats signed on.
Kirk, 31, was the target of leftist political violence when he was assassinated during a speaking event in Utah last week.
Axios reports, “Kirk was not beloved by Democrats, but some in the party fear that anything short of a unanimous vote for the resolution could be a messaging coup for Republicans.”
“People are worried that we’re being totally set up,” a House Democrat told Axios on the condition of anonymity.
The report added, “The lawmaker noted that a bipartisan resolution condemning the shootings of Democratic state lawmakers in Minnesota passed the House 424 to 0 in June.”
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries reportedly told House Democrats that leadership will be voting in favor of the resolution during a closed-door meeting on Thursday.
However, Jeffries reportedly said he will not be whipping votes for it either, meaning that lawmakers will be free to decide to vote for or against it on their own.
Trashy Rep. Jasmine Crockett has said she will vote against the bill, telling Axios she is “not sure what is honorable” about Kirk’s views.
Democrat Rep. Jamie Raskin is urging people to vote in favor, calling it an “obvious political trap,” according to a report from Reuters.
“We cannot fall for that obvious political trap and should rise above it,” Raskin said. “It is essential that we come together as Americans to condemn each and every episode of political violence.”
The resolution states in part:
“Charlie Kirk personified the values of the First Amendment, exercising his God-given right to speak free ly, challenge prevailing narratives, and did so with honor, courage, and respect for his fellow Americans.”
“Charlie Kirk’s commitment to civil discussion and debate stood as a model for young Americans across the political spectrum, and he worked tirelessly to promote unity without compromising on conviction.”
“The assassination of Charlie Kirk was not only a heinous act of violence, but a sobering reminder of the grow ing threat posed by political extremism and hatred in our society.”