Palmetto Bay, Florida, Councilman Steve Cody is under growing pressure to step down after publishing a social media post that mocked the Christian faith of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk just hours after his assassination.
Cody, a Democrat first elected to the Florida council in 2020, shared a message on his personal Facebook account quoting Kirk on the Second Amendment and referring to him as a “fitting sacrifice” to gun rights.
The post read: “Charlie Kirk is a fitting sacrifice to our Lords: Smith and Wesson. Hallowed be their names.”
The remark, which appeared to parody the Lord’s Prayer, was preserved by local outlets before Cody deleted it.
The same account also displayed an AI-generated image of President Donald Trump holding and shouting at a taco, a detail that fueled criticism of Cody’s judgment.
Kirk, who founded the national conservative group Turning Point USA, was leading an open debate with students at Utah Valley University when he was fatally struck in the neck by an assassin’s bullet.
He was pronounced dead shortly afterward.
Authorities later confirmed on Friday that 22-year-old Tyler Robinson was taken into custody in connection with the shooting.
After the backlash, Cody attempted to walk back his remarks.
He posted a letter of apology, writing, “Yesterday, I regrettably made a significant error in judgment by sharing a quotation on my personal Facebook page that referenced remarks made by the deceased Charlie Kirk. This action, born out of my deep anger and frustration with the now too common tragedy of gun violence, was misguided.”
He insisted the statement did not reflect his “deeply held beliefs” or responsibilities as an official and closed his apology with the caption, “I screwed up.”
Breitbart highlighted how Republican leaders in Florida quickly condemned Cody’s post.
“Absolutely mortified by Palmetto Bay councilman Steve Cody’s mocking of Charlie Kirk’s death in real time,” Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-FL) wrote.
“This is unbecoming of any elected official. Steve Cody must resign.”
Rep. María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) called Cody’s remarks “disgusting,” accusing him of mocking both Kirk’s death and his faith.
“Charlie wanted his legacy to be courage for his faith. People like Cody betray the trust of the very community they represent,” she said.
State Sen. Ileana Garcia (R) added a blunt response: “Abhorrent!! Unacceptable!! Resign!!!!!!!!!!!”
Cody’s political history has also drawn attention amid the controversy.
Born in Massachusetts, he has faced prior disputes on the council, including a lawsuit earlier this year in which he challenged the legitimacy of the vice mayor, a move that critics said cost taxpayers thousands in legal fees, per Breitbart.
The controversy has already spilled into Florida’s education system.
In Miami, an education official was dismissed after posting on social media that Kirk’s assassination was “karma.”
State leaders promised additional oversight of similar cases.
Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas said he would be reviewing the conduct of teachers who posted celebratory or inflammatory remarks online, calling such behavior unacceptable.
Gov. Ron DeSantis’ (R) administration also pledged to examine any public officials or state employees who engaged in rhetoric glorifying the killing, stressing that state resources should not be used by those who condone political violence.
Cody’s remarks, along with other inflammatory reactions nationwide, have underscored a wider debate over accountability in public life.
The incident has sparked renewed questions about the standards of behavior for elected leaders and government employees, particularly when responding to moments of tragedy.
