GOP Bill Seeks Charlie Kirk Commemorative Coins

Two House Republicans, Reps. Abe Hamadeh (R-AZ) and August Pfluger (R-TX), plan to introduce the "Charlie Kirk Commemorative Coin Act" directing the U.S. Treasury to mint up to 400,000 one-dollar silver coins bearing Kirk’s likeness and the inscription "Well done, good and faithful servant." The proposal specifies the coins would include Kirk’s full name, the year 2026 and "In God We Trust." Backers say the measure would permanently honor Kirk’s influence and could make him the youngest American depicted on U.S. legal tender, but the bill would still need congressional approval and reports note the Treasury has authority over likenesses on currency. Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot Sept. 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University; the suspect faces multiple charges including aggravated murder and prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. The effort has drawn criticism from commentators who say it politicizes his death and amounts to partisan posturing.