Pelosi, Crockett Defend Rhetoric Following Charlie Kirk Assassination [WATCH]

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) is facing questions over comments she made Friday in the wake of the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, suggesting Democrats cannot be held responsible for how political rhetoric is interpreted.

Authorities announced Friday that the suspected gunman, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson of Utah, had been arrested after Kirk was fatally shot Wednesday while addressing students at Utah Valley University in Orem.

Investigators also revealed that ammunition connected to the shooting carried engravings including “Hey, Fascist!,” “Catch!,” and “If You Read This, You are Gay, LMAO.”

Speaking at an event in Maryland, Pelosi addressed the killing but stopped short of acknowledging that rhetoric from the left could influence violent actions.

“People don’t have any intention of saying something that’s going to lead to something dangerous,” Pelosi said.

“But we cannot take responsibility for the minds that are out there and how they hear it.”

WOW

Nancy Pelosi DEFENDS violent rhetoric & REFUSES to take any accountability for championing movements that led to the assassination of Kirk.

“People don’t have any intention of saying something that leads to something dangerous. We cannot take responsibility for the minds.” pic.twitter.com/fy5zY2yNwQ

— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) September 12, 2025

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Pelosi went on to say that after Kirk’s death, “Most of our colleagues put out similar statements of—while we may not agree politically, philosophically, or in any other way, that doesn’t matter. What does matter is that our prayers and thoughts are with the family, and may he rest in peace.”

She added that “starting from the top,” referring to President Donald Trump, “there has to be a more unifying message coming from our government.”

The comments came as Representative Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) also weighed in publicly.

Appearing on “The Breakfast Club” podcast earlier Friday, Crockett was asked about the assassination and pointed to rhetoric from the right.

Crockett said Democrats are “denouncing political violence,” though she questioned whether the Kirk shooting was politically motivated or personal.

She said, “Even if [this person] came from our side of the aisle, let’s assume the worst… let’s talk about it. So, we’ve got to talk about what it means when you are running for president or you are running for one of these higher offices…and you go out there and say things like ‘I could shoot somebody in the middle of the street in New York and I could still win.’”

Crockett insisted she had never advocated for violence but argued that using strong terms against political opponents does not equate to inciting attacks.

“All those things are are not necessarily saying go out and hurt somebody,” she said, after noting that she had referred to political figures as “wanna-be-Hitler.”

She added, “I can say Trump is operating as a dictator. That doesn’t mean that I want somebody to go out and hurt the President of the United States.”

Jasmine Crockett says that rhetoric — and labeling Trump a ‘wannabe Hitler’ — doesn’t equate to encouraging violence.
pic.twitter.com/DK77dNUbIJ

— ɓʌslɹqɓ (@gbrlsvg) September 12, 2025

Kirk, 31, was killed by a single rifle shot to the neck while answering questions from students during the opening event of his American Comeback Tour.

He was pronounced dead after being transported to a hospital.

Utah Governor Spencer Cox has described the assassination as a “political” killing.

Federal and state authorities continue to investigate Robinson’s motive, while evidence recovered at the scene, including shoe prints and bullet casings, is being analyzed.

Kirk’s death has drawn responses from national leaders, with President Donald Trump announcing that he will posthumously award Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Funeral arrangements for the conservative activist have not yet been announced.