Key Evidence Secured in FBI Manhunt

Today is a day of grieving for America, as we’re mourning the loss of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk. Like many of you, we are all reeling from this news.

The FBI has an update in its search for the killer. As reported by Fox News:

The FBI has released two photos of a new person of interest in the assassination of conservative speaker Charlie Kirk, who was shot and killed Wednesday afternoon at Utah Valley University during a public speaking event.

The images show a thin male wearing jeans, a long-sleeved black shirt with an American flag graphic, black sunglasses and a hat.

Authorities said a short while later that the FBI was offering a $100,000 bounty for information that helps crack the case. . . .  Investigators said Thursday morning that they had traced the sniper’s escape route and recovered a “high-powered, bolt-action rifle,” according to FBI Salt Lake City Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls. He said they also had obtained foot, palm and forearm imprints linked to the crime.

Just as we were starting the broadcast, the Salt Lake City branch of the FBI posted a new image of a person of interest on its official social media accounts. We immediately reposted the pictures on all ACLJ social media accounts to spread awareness. We are hopeful that with the images and what the FBI continues to reveal, maybe someone will recognize something and call it in. It is imperative that this killer be captured – alive – so they stand trial before the world.

The ACLJ is deeply entrenched in the battle to defend free speech – especially conservative and pro-life speech – from unfounded attacks by the radical Left. However, this act was a new low. It was meant not only to silence Charlie, but also to scare any others who might amplify his message.

We’ve also been directly involved with Turning Point USA over the years. Under the Biden Administration, Charlie and Turning Point faced blatant censorship by social media companies. When they suspected their accounts were being throttled and “shadow-banned,” they came to the ACLJ, asking that we represent them against the Big Tech giants.

Ultimately, the issue was resolved when Elon Musk bought Twitter, rebranding it as X, and just like that, Charlie and Turning Point were able to again see their engagement return to normal. It was an honor for the ACLJ to represent a group like Turning Point USA and to represent Charlie in his mission to restore common sense and civil discourse, along with the traditional values that he cherished as an American and a Christian.

The idea of having a civil, respectful dialogue in the U.S. seems to be in real danger. Charlie’s entire philosophy, the slogan emblazoned on his banners and tents, was “Change My Mind.” He gave everyone a platform. He was respectful, even when met with hostility and insults. And they killed him for it.

As a country, we’ve collectively got to get back to a place where we can debate without anyone being threatened. We should be able to disagree without having to worry that we could lose our lives. That’s not America. Our country was built on the idea that we can strongly disagree, have healthy debates, and if we still disagree afterward, we can shake hands and carry on like grown-ups. Yesterday was not only a tragic loss of life but also a loss of ground as a society.

Special Presidential Envoy for Special Missions Ric Grenell joined us to discuss the untimely loss of his friend Charlie. Ric pointed out the irreplaceable loss to not just those who knew him or supported him, but everyone who believes in free speech and peaceful discourse:

It's been a tough 24 hours for me. Charlie was a very close friend of mine, was an incredible champion of mine, and I was on the Turning Point board for many years, and I only did it because Charlie asked me. . . . Charlie Kirk was the epitome, the tip of the spear, of telling people, Come to the front if you disagree with me. I will make sure that everyone around is quiet. You are going to get your time to talk to me and tell me what you think, and I’m going to calmly respond, and we’re going to have a healthy debate that’s calm.

And Charlie was the first one to tell his own side, Stop yelling. Don’t shout this person down. And, eventually, on college campuses, people knew if you came to a Charlie Kirk rally, you knew you were going to hear from people who disagreed, and they were having a safe space, if you will. And to take him out, it’s hard for me to comprehend because I just think this means the other side doesn’t want dialogue. . . .

I just left the Capitol, and I had a one-on-one meeting with Senator Mark Warner from Virginia, a Democrat. And I was able to share my heart with him and just say, I’m struggling. Charlie was my friend, and I feel like the Left is not allowing us to even have a dialogue. They want to cancel us; they want violence. And we had a good conversation, and I’m hopeful that’s a step in the right direction.

Charlie’s death is a devastating loss and an inexcusable act, and we pray for peace and comfort for his wife, children, and entire family, and we pray that the assailant be caught swiftly and brought to justice.

Today’s Sekulow broadcast included more discussion of yesterday’s terrible events and the reaction across the country, as well as what we’ve been told so far by the FBI. We reflected on the events of 9/11, and we were also joined by ACLJ Associate Counsel Liam Harrell, who called in from Chicago, where the ACLJ just achieved a big victory for religious speech.

Watch the full broadcast below: