By Peter Omopo | September 13, 2025
The United States has cautioned that foreigners who publicly celebrate or trivialise the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk may face visa revocation, as authorities expand scrutiny of social media posts from Germany, Brazil, the United Kingdom, South Africa, and parts of Latin America.
Kirk, a 31-year-old author, podcaster, and co-founder of Turning Point USA, was shot dead on Wednesday while speaking at Utah Valley University. His killing has triggered widespread condemnation and reignited debates on political rhetoric and online speech.
US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said on Thursday that consular officials had been directed to monitor and take action against foreigners “praising, rationalising, or making light” of the murder.
“Foreigners who glorify violence and hatred are not welcome visitors to our country,” Landau wrote on X, adding that the State Department would consider reports from the public when reviewing cases.
In a post that has since gone viral, Landau shared an image parodying the Batman signal, replacing the bat with the eagle from the US Great Seal, captioned “El Quitavisas” — Spanish for “The Visa Remover.”
Meanwhile, law enforcement officials confirmed the arrest of 22-year-old Tyler Robinson of southern Utah as the prime suspect. Robinson, who allegedly confessed to his father, was turned in by a family acquaintance described as a minister.
Former US President Donald Trump confirmed the arrest, saying, “We have the person that we think is the person we’re looking for.”
Among those flagged online for mocking Kirk’s death were German satirist Sebastian Hotz, Brazilian commentators, South African journalist Redi Tlhabi, and George Abaraonye, incoming president of the Oxford Union in the UK.
The backlash has extended to media organisations. Brazil’s Globo Communications Group was accused of fuelling hostility by describing Kirk as an “extremist,” while other posts reportedly suggested Republican leaders, including Trump, could be targeted next.
In Washington, Secretary of the Navy John Phelan also issued a stern warning, vowing disciplinary action against uniformed or civilian employees who publicly ridiculed the assassination.
“Any uniformed or civilian employee of the Department of the Navy who acts in a manner that brings discredit upon the Department, the US Navy, or the US Marine Corps will be dealt with swiftly and decisively,” Phelan wrote.
The assassination and its aftermath have intensified scrutiny on how governments should respond to online commentary that intersects with global politics, free expression, and national security.
