The murder of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk has sparked nationwide fear among those with large platforms, raising urgent questions about political violence, security, and free speech in America.
One of the most vocal responses has come from Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX), who shared how deeply the tragedy has affected her during a recent appearance on The Breakfast Club.
Crockett said Kirk’s killing immediately forced her to reflect on her own safety as an outspoken Black congresswoman.
“There were so many people that immediately reached out from all over and was like, what is going on with your security? I had to make sure that I called my mom because I knew that my mom would just want to hear my voice,” she explained.
She described the reality facing members of Congress, noting that unlike the executive and judicial branches, lawmakers do not receive full federal security coverage.
“I mean, I have to raise money to keep myself safe because they will not pay to take care of us even though the other two branches of government they pay for their protection,” Crockett said.
Her remarks highlight a growing conversation in Washington about the safety of elected officials, particularly as political rhetoric becomes increasingly hostile. Crockett argued that the United States must draw a clearer line between constitutionally protected speech and dangerous incitement.
“We do have free speech in this country, but are you free to say just any and everything? There are limits to all of our constitutional protections,” she said.
Crockett also criticized colleagues who were quick to assign partisan blame before details about Kirk’s murder were known. She pointed out that political violence has threatened lawmakers across the spectrum, noting that some Republicans were recently targeted by their own base after refusing to back a pro-MAGA Speaker candidate.
“The fact that this can’t be personal is wild… the fact that they are presuming this is somebody that came from our side of the aisle—we know that’s dangerous,” she warned.
The congresswoman linked these threats to what she described as a “culture of violence” fostered by political leaders who use aggressive language at rallies and campaign stops.
She argued that normalizing calls to “beat people up” or glorifying violence corrodes democratic norms and endangers both public figures and ordinary citizens.
Kirk’s death has amplified existing concerns about whether America is prepared to confront the consequences of escalating political extremism.
