The Trump administration announced Tuesday it has revoked visas for six foreign nationals who made controversial statements following the September assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
The State Department confirmed officials conducted a comprehensive review of social media posts and video clips related to Kirk’s death at a Utah college campus on Sept. 10.
The review led to the cancellation of visas for individuals from six different countries.
An Argentine national who lost visa privileges stated that Kirk “devoted his entire life spreading racist, xenophobic, misogynistic rhetoric” and claimed he deserves to burn in hell.
A South African visa holder suggested those mourning Kirk were “hurt that the racist rally ended in attempted martyrdom.”
A Mexican national whose visa was also canceled declared that Kirk “died being a racist, he died being a misogynist… there are people who deserve to die.”
Officials determined these statements violated standards expected of foreign visitors to the United States.
A Brazilian citizen said Kirk “died too late” and accused the conservative activist of organizing “a Nazi rally where they marched in homage to him.”
The individual’s visa was subsequently revoked following the State Department’s investigation.
The final two individuals affected were a German national and a Paraguayan national.
The German citizen stated “when fascists die, democrats don’t complain” while the Paraguayan called Kirk a “son of a b**** [who] he died by his own rules.”
The Daily Mail reported that the visa revocations were announced shortly after President Donald Trump posthumously awarded Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom, America’s highest civilian honor.
Kirk’s widow Erika attended the ceremony and expressed gratitude to the president for the recognition.
Kirk’s widow fought back tears during the White House ceremony as she thanked Trump for giving her late husband the “best birthday gift ever.”
Trump explained his decision to return early from a Middle East peace mission to present the award on the specific date.
The president stated: “I raced back halfway around the globe. I was going to call Erika and ask, ‘Could you maybe move it to Friday?’ but I didn’t have the courage to call.”
Trump added: “But you know why I didn’t call? Because I heard today was Charlie’s birthday.”
Kirk’s parents also attended the White House ceremony despite maintaining a low public profile following their son’s death, the Daily Mail highlighted.
The family’s presence at the award ceremony marked one of their first public appearances since the September tragedy.
The Associated Press reported that during Kirk’s funeral in September, Trump had called him a “great American hero” and “martyr” for freedom.
The president’s comments at the funeral service foreshadowed the administration’s continued efforts to honor Kirk’s memory and punish those who disparaged him.
The administration has taken multiple actions against individuals who made controversial statements about Kirk’s death.
These actions have extended beyond visa revocations to include various forms of professional consequences for American citizens as well.
The State Department justified its actions by stating that Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio “will defend our borders, our culture, and our citizens by enforcing our immigration laws.”
Officials added: “Aliens who take advantage of America’s hospitality while celebrating the assassination of our citizens will be removed.”
