In a solemn gesture of solidarity, Speaker Mike Johnson announced that the House will observe a moment of silence to honor Charlie Kirk, the conservative organizer who was tragically shot at a public event. The incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, during an engagement that drew national attention.

“We ask everyone to pray for him and his family,” stated Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, underscoring the growing concern over political violence in the United States. “Political violence has become all too common in American society, and this is not who we are.”

Charlie Kirk, known for founding the influential conservative group Turning Point USA, was reportedly targeted while attending the university event. Following the shooting, the university promptly issued a statement confirming that a gunshot had been fired and that law enforcement had taken a suspect into custody.

Speaker Johnson, addressing the press, emphasized that such acts of violence starkly contrast with the nation’s foundational principles. “It violates core principles of our country today, our Judeo-Christian heritage, our civil society, our American way of life," he remarked. "And it must stop.”

The Speaker called upon public figures and influencers across the political spectrum to advocate for peaceful resolutions to conflicts. “We need every political figure, we need everyone who has a platform to say this loudly and clearly: we can settle disagreements and disputes in a civil manner," he urged. "Political violence ... has to stop."

This call to action reflects a broader plea for unity and civility in American political discourse, at a time when the nation seems increasingly divided. As the community rallies around Kirk and his family, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address and curb the tide of violence linked to political unrest. Johnson’s leadership on this issue highlights a pivotal moment for lawmakers and citizens alike to affirm their commitment to a more peaceful, respectful political environment.