Rep. Nancy Mace Blames Democrats for Charlie Kirk Shooting in Utah

The shooting and subsequent death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University shocked the nation and ignited fierce political debate. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) quickly blamed Democrats for the incident, asserting that "Democrats own this, one hundred percent," and dismissed comparisons to past shootings of Democratic lawmakers as unfair. Mace's comments, which came before Kirk's death was confirmed, were widely criticized as hypocritical and partisan, especially since the shooter remains at large and motivations are unknown. Critics argue that Mace's statements exemplify a broader Republican tendency to politicize violence and deflect accountability, exacerbating political divisions. Many commentators stressed that political violence should not be weaponized for partisan gain and that neither party singularly owns such tragedies. The event and ensuing political reactions highlight the ongoing challenges of addressing political violence in a deeply polarized environment.