14 Senators Nominate Charlie Kirk for National Garden of American Heroes Statue

Senator Bill Cassidy and 14 other Republican senators have nominated conservative activist Charlie Kirk for inclusion in President Trump's National Garden of American Heroes, a sculpture garden set to open in 2026 to commemorate 250 historically significant Americans. The senators praised Kirk for inspiring civic engagement and free expression among young Americans and highlighted his contributions to strengthening democracy. The nomination follows President Trump's 2021 executive order establishing the garden amid a national debate over monuments. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has also called for a statue of Kirk at LSU, sparking controversy and criticism from some academics and students who oppose the proposal, comparing Kirk unfavorably to racist figures. Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA and a prominent MAGA ally, was assassinated in 2025, which led to widespread condemnation of political violence. The National Garden project has faced scrutiny for including figures viewed as controversial and politically charged, reflecting ongoing cultural conflicts.