Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) will lead a vigil on Monday, March 18, 2024, in honor of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was tragically killed last week. The memorial service will take place in the U.S. Capitol’s Statuary Hall at 6:15 p.m., and is open to members of both parties in the House of Representatives. Johnson is expected to deliver remarks and lead prayers during the event.
The vigil follows a previous moment of silence led by Johnson on the House floor shortly after the shooting incident. That gathering escalated into a heated exchange between Republican and Democratic members, sparked by a request from Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) for a public prayer.
In addition to the Capitol vigil, a separate prayer event for Kirk took place at the Kennedy Center on Sunday, March 17, 2024. This gathering featured speeches from Johnson, as well as Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.), White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard.
During the Kennedy Center vigil, Johnson remarked, “Charlie Kirk recruited, trained, and educated a generation of happy warriors. We do well to be reminded that the best way to honor his memory and unmatched legacy is to live as Charlie did.”
In light of Kirk’s legacy, several Republican members have called for additional official memorials in the Capitol. Luna, for instance, has proposed the creation of a statue in Kirk’s honor, reflecting his significant impact on the conservative movement and his role in shaping younger generations of activists.
As the nation mourns the loss of Kirk, both political leaders and citizens are expected to gather during Monday’s vigil to pay their respects and celebrate his contributions to political discourse.
