adminOn September 21, 2025, State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, became ground zero for a national moment of mourning and resolve as tens of thousands gathered to honor Charlie Kirk. What was billed as a memorial quickly took on the air of a call to action for anyone who still loves this country and the values that built it.
In the rawest, most Christlike moment of the day, Erika Kirk looked the nation in the eye and forgave the young man accused of murdering her husband — saying plainly, “I forgive him.” Her words weren’t empty sentiment; they were rooted in Scripture and a faith that refuses to let hatred dictate the American character.
Erika didn’t stop at forgiveness; she issued a clarion call for families, urging men to lead with courage and women to embrace their God-given role as mothers and guardians of virtue. She also accepted the mantle of leadership for Turning Point USA, promising to carry Charlie’s mission forward and grow the movement that brought hope to so many young people.
The contrast between Erika’s faith-driven mercy and the uglier instincts boiling in parts of our politics was glaring. Even President Trump — who rightly honored Charlie’s legacy on that stage — admitted he does not share Kirk’s posture of forgiveness toward political opponents, a reminder that our movement must remain anchored in principle even when politics gets dirty.
We owe it to Charlie’s memory to face hard truths about the culture that breeds this kind of violence. Prosecutors say the accused, a 22-year-old, admitted a motive tied to hatred in a text message; that chilling detail should force every parent and leader to ask how we are shepherding young men toward purpose and faith rather than fury.
Erika’s example is a balm and a blueprint. Conservatives should not be ashamed of loudly embracing faith, family, and forgiveness — these are the virtues that built stable communities and kept tyranny at bay. If we let anger and vengeance define our response, we hand the left the moral high ground they desperately want; instead, we must respond with conviction and compassion.
Now is the time for the right to be unapologetically upright: double down on supporting families, defend the right to preach and teach faith on campus, and rebuild institutions that give young Americans a reason to live and a place to belong. Charlie Kirk devoted his life to steering young people away from despair; Erika has vowed to amplify that mission, and patriots everywhere should stand with her.
This was more than a funeral; it was a summons. Let Erika’s forgiveness and her fierce pro-family message sink into the bones of our movement — then get to work. America needs men and women of faith who will lead with love, stand against hatred, and make Charlie’s vision a reality for the next generation.
