Twenty-three House Republicans are calling for a congressional investigation into what they describe as “radical left” networks following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University, the Miami Herald reported.
On Sept. 11, the day after Kirk was killed during his “American Comeback Tour,” Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) sent a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson urging the creation of a select committee to probe organized left-wing violence. The letter was co-signed by 22 other GOP lawmakers, Newsmax reported.
“We must take every step to follow the money and uncover the force behind the NGOs, donors, media, public officials, and all entities driving this coordinated attack,” Roy wrote. He pointed to the 2024 attempt on President Donald Trump’s life and the 2017 congressional baseball shooting as part of what he called a broader pattern of violence against conservatives.
If created, the committee would have subpoena power and focus on groups such as Antifa and donors like George Soros, frequent targets of conservative criticism.
“Political violence of any kind is unacceptable, no matter who commits it,” Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., said. “But let’s not pretend this is an even playing field. In recent years, we’ve seen organized and well-funded efforts from the radical left to intimidate, disrupt, silence, and even justify violence against Americans they don’t agree with. Too often, the media downplays or excuses this violence when it comes from the left, as we’ve seen this week.”
Kirk, 31, was shot in the neck on Wednesday at Utah Valley University. Police identified the suspect as 22-year-old Tyler Robinson from Washington County, Utah. The killing shocked the community, drawing condemnation across party lines.
A handful of Democrats issued a joint statement Friday, saying, “We may have our differences, but we are unified in our condemnation of these attacks.”
Republicans argue Kirk’s assassination is part of a broader trend fueled by Democratic rhetoric or lenient policies. Earlier this month, they linked the fatal subway stabbing of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska to what they called “soft on crime” approaches after the accused assailant was found to have multiple prior arrests.