The House of Representatives erupted into shouting Wednesday after Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) held a moment of silence in memory of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot earlier this week at an event at Utah Valley University. The emotional and tense session highlighted the deep partisan divide on the chamber floor.
Before entering the House chamber, Johnson told reporters that he would pause proceedings to honor Kirk’s memory, describing the moment as an opportunity for lawmakers to reflect. However, what began as a solemn recognition quickly devolved into a chaotic exchange between Republicans and Democrats.
Following the moment of silence, Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) requested that a prayer be read for Kirk. Her request was met with loud objections from Democratic lawmakers, who shouted “no” in unison. The disagreement escalated further when Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) shouted at Democrats, saying, “You f***ing own this.” Democrats fired back, referencing a tragic Colorado school shooting that had occurred earlier in the day. One Democrat shouted, “Pass some gun laws,” reflecting the ongoing national debate over firearm legislation.
The confrontation left the chamber in an unusually tense atmosphere. Speaking to reporters later, Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) echoed Luna’s frustration, saying, “Democrats own what happened today.” Several Republicans framed the shooting as a politically motivated attack and expressed anger over what they saw as partisan resistance to acknowledging Kirk’s death.
Earlier in the day, Rep. Cory Mills (R-Fla.) introduced a resolution addressing the shooting. The initial text, which was drafted before Kirk’s death was officially confirmed, was later revised to condemn the “horrific political assassination” and to honor Kirk as a “faith-based conservative spokesman and thought leader.” Several Republican lawmakers signed on to the resolution, emphasizing their support for the recognition of Kirk’s contributions.
The events on the House floor underscore the ongoing political polarization in Washington, where moments of mourning can quickly become arenas for partisan debate. As the nation continues to grapple with high-profile acts of violence, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are increasingly vocal in connecting such tragedies to broader discussions on policy, safety, and political accountability.
