Utah Sen. Mike Lee is drawing national attention after publicly calling for the execution of the man charged with killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk, using social media to demand the punishment be carried out “in public,” as reported by The New York Post.
“Execute Tyler Robinson. In public,” Lee wrote in a post on X.
The comments followed a court filing Monday by Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, who called for a speedy trial in the case. In the filing, she accused the defense team of the accused killer of employing delay tactics as the high-profile prosecution moves forward.
Robinson, 22, has been charged with aggravated murder in connection with the fatal shooting of Kirk during a Turning Point USA event held last September at Utah Valley University.
Prosecutors have already indicated they will seek the death penalty if Robinson is convicted.
Lee’s remarks marked the second time in recent days that the Utah Republican has publicly called for Robinson to receive the death penalty.
In a similar X post on Friday, Lee wrote, “Tyler Robinson publicly executed Charlie Kirk,” followed by another statement saying, “Tyler Robinson should be publicly executed.”
Tyler Robinson publicly executed Charlie Kirk
Tyler Robinson should be publicly executed https://t.co/fkNmyPLQTB
— Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) January 16, 2026
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Robinson has not yet entered a plea in the case. Court records show that pretrial proceedings are ongoing, with defense attorneys seeking additional time to prepare.
Erika Kirk’s filing argued that those delays are unnecessary and prolong the legal process for the victim’s family.
Under current Utah law, executions are not conducted in public. The state primarily uses lethal injection as its method of execution.
A firing squad is permitted only if state officials are unable to obtain the drugs required for lethal injection.
Lee’s statements quickly spread across social media, prompting reactions from supporters and critics alike.
While some applauded the senator’s forceful rhetoric, others questioned the appropriateness of a sitting U.S. senator calling for a public execution in an active criminal case.
The case itself has remained in the spotlight since the shooting at Utah Valley University, where Kirk was attending a Turning Point USA event.
Authorities said Robinson was taken into custody and later charged with aggravated murder, one of the most serious charges under Utah law.
Prosecutors have not publicly commented on Lee’s statements. Legal experts note that while lawmakers are free to express personal views, sentencing decisions ultimately rest with the courts and must follow state law.
As the proceedings continue, the case remains closely watched both in Utah and nationally, given the profile of the victim, the severity of the charges, and the ongoing debate over capital punishment in the state.
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