Photo: Alamy
The State Department said Thursday it will begin monitoring the words of foreign nationals who praise or excuse acts of violence following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, and will take “appropriate action” when necessary.
“In light of yesterday’s horrific assassination of a leading political figure, I want to underscore that foreigners who glorify violence and hatred are not welcome visitors to our country,” Deputy Secretary of State Chris Landau wrote on X.
“I have been disgusted to see some on social media praising, rationalizing, or making light of the event, and have directed our consular officials to undertake appropriate action. Please feel free to bring such comments by foreigners to my attention so that the @StateDept can protect the American people,” he added.
Landau later said consular officials would also monitor replies to his post to identify foreign nationals in the U.S. on visas who engage in violent rhetoric.
The announcement follows a June policy requiring visa applicants to make their social media accounts public for review.
“Every visa adjudication is a national security decision. The United States must be vigilant during the visa issuance process to ensure that those applying for admission into the United States do not intend to harm Americans and our national interests,” the State Department noted.
Since then, the State Department has revoked more than 6,000 student visas for violations, including overstaying visas, committing crimes such as assault or burglary, or expressing “support for terrorism.”
Kirk, 31, co-founder of Turning Point USA and a father of two, was shot and killed Wednesday during a speaking event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. He had been addressing a question about mass shootings involving transgender individuals when he was struck in the neck by a single round.
Authorities said the shot came from a rooftop nearly 200 yards away. A high-powered bolt-action rifle believed to have been used in the attack was recovered in a wooded area near campus.
The FBI released images of a suspect and urged the public to assist in identifying the gunman, who remains at large as of Friday.
