U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio Calls for Visa Revocations Over Celebration of Charlie Kirk’s Assassination

Washington, D.C. — September 16, 2025

In the wake of the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced a firm stance against foreign nationals who celebrate or glorify the killing. In an exclusive interview, Rubio stated:

“We should not be giving visas to people who are going to come to the United States and do things like celebrate the murder, the execution, the assassination of a political figure. We should not, and if they are already here, we should be revoking their visa. Why would we want to bring people into our country who are going to engage in negative and destructive behavior? It makes no sense.”

The Trump administration has intensified scrutiny of foreign nationals’ online activities, particularly focusing on social media posts that praise or trivialize acts of political violence.

Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau echoed Rubio’s sentiments, directing consular officials to take “appropriate action” against individuals found to be glorifying violence. Landau emphasized that such individuals “are not welcome visitors to our country.”

The Department of State has been actively monitoring social media platforms for posts from foreign nationals that celebrate or rationalize Kirk’s assassination. While specific actions have not been disclosed, the administration has indicated that visa revocations are among the measures under consideration.

This development comes amid a broader crackdown on foreign nationals whose actions or expressions are deemed to conflict with U.S. national security interests.

Earlier this year, Secretary Rubio authorized the use of artificial intelligence to identify and revoke visas of foreign-born pro-Palestinian protesters.

The assassination of Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative figure and ally of President Donald Trump, has sparked widespread condemnation across the political spectrum. Kirk was fatally shot during a speaking event at Utah Valley University. The suspect, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, is currently in custody, though he has not been cooperating with authorities.

In a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Secretary Rubio described Kirk’s death as a “political assassination” and a threat to democratic discourse. He emphasized the importance of maintaining open dialogue, stating that societies must not lose the ability to engage in discourse, as it could lead to silence or violence, both of which are destructive.

The administration’s actions reflect a broader commitment to safeguarding national security and upholding the principles of free speech and democratic engagement.