National Day of Remembrance for Charlie Kirk
President Donald J. Trump issued a Proclamation designating October 14, 2025, as a National Day of Remembrance for Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated earlier that month.
The proclamation mourns Kirk as a martyr of the conservative movement, praises his dedication to truth and debate, and calls upon Americans to gather in places of worship on that day to honor his memory, pray for peace, and renew a commitment to free exchange of ideas amidst escalating political violence.
Arguments For
Honoring the memory of a nationally recognized figure who promoted debate and conservative ideals.
Providing a focal point for national mourning and solidarity following a politically charged violent act.
Reaffirming the administration's commitment to ending political violence and defending core American tenets like free expression and truth.
Offering a unified, symbolic act of remembrance and condolences to the victim's family.
Arguments Against
Using the power of the Presidency to elevate a partisan political figure through a formal proclamation, blurring governmental neutrality.
The action may be perceived as inflaming political tensions rather than promoting peace, given the highly polarized context described.
Designating a day of remembrance based on a specific, potentially controversial political viewpoint might alienate segments of the population who do not share those views.
The proclamation relies on highly subjective characterizations of the deceased, which may be disputed by opponents.
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
This opening text formally identifies the issuing authority as the President of the United States and specifies the type of legal instrument being issued as a Proclamation.
On the afternoon of Wednesday, September 10, 2025, pure evil struck when the legendary Charlie Kirk was assassinated in broad daylight in a campus courtyard, triggering a groundswell of righteous fury all across our land. Today, our Nation honors the immortal memory of Charlie — a father, a husband, a Christian martyr, and a titan of the American conservative movement. We honor his life, we send our condolences to his beautiful family, and we pledge to advance the values for which he laid down his life.
This paragraph details the context for the proclamation: the assassination of Charlie Kirk on September 10, 2025.
It frames the death as a tragic event that sparked significant public outrage.
The text honors Kirk's memory by describing him in highly favorable terms, including labeling him a "Christian martyr" and a "titan of the American conservative movement."
Every day, Charlie devoted himself to a set of simple causes: Defending the truth, encouraging debate, and spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He was gracious and articulate beyond measure, always welcomed opposing perspectives, and never deviated from his noble goal of bridging our political, cultural, and philosophical divides.
This section describes the life and mission of Charlie Kirk, emphasizing his commitment to defending truth, encouraging open debate, and spreading Christian teachings.
The description portrays him as an exceptionally eloquent individual who sought to unite differing viewpoints across political and cultural lines.
As we mourn this extraordinary loss, my Administration will continue to do everything in its power to end this devastating wave of political violence. No civilized country can endure a culture where open debate is met with gunfire, the pursuit of truth is met with bloodshed, and love of country is met with seething hatred. In Charlie’s absence, we are now tasked with continuing his mission of giving voice to our cherished American ideals with confidence and clarity. Like him, we must not flinch in the face of darkness and hostility — and we must never waver in speaking the truth with joyful and steadfast resolve.
The Administration announces its intention to actively work to stop political violence, stating that civil society cannot survive when dialogue leads to bloodshed or violence.
It charges the nation, in Kirk's absence, to carry on his work defending American ideals clearly and confidently, without yielding to hostility.
Today, on what would have been his 32nd birthday, our Nation honors the loving memory of Charlie Kirk. We offer our condolences to his beautiful wife, Erika, and two precious children. We call on every American to pray for peace in our public square. Above all, we renew our resolve to always defend our principles of truth, faith, and the open exchange of ideas.
This part notes that the proclamation is issued on what would have been Kirk's 32nd birthday, expressing condolences to his immediate family, Erika and their two children.
It issues a national call for prayer for peace in public discourse and reaffirms dedication to truth, faith, and open discussion.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim October 14, 2025, as a National Day of Remembrance for Charlie Kirk. I call on the American people to assemble on this day in their respective places of worship, there to pay homage to Charlie’s memory. I invite the people of our Nation to pray for the advancement of peace, truth, and justice all across our country.
Acting under constitutional authority, the President officially proclaims October 14, 2025, as a National Day of Remembrance for Charlie Kirk.
The public is requested to gather in their places of worship to pay tribute to his memory and to pray for peace, truth, and justice nationwide.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fourteenth day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fiftieth.
DONALD J. TRUMP
This concluding paragraph serves as the formal attestation, stating the date of signing—October 14, 2025, which is the 250th year of American Independence—and bears the signature of President Donald J. Trump.