US House Erupts Over Prayer Request After Charlie Kirk Shooting

The House of Representatives erupted into chaos when Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert requested a spoken prayer for Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist and Turning Point USA founder who was fatally shot during an event at Utah Valley University. Speaker Mike Johnson initially called for a moment of silence and later tried to maintain order amid shouted objections and heckling from Democratic lawmakers, who pointed to a recent school shooting in Colorado as a contrast to the GOP's response. Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna responded angrily to the Democrats, escalating tensions on the House floor. The shooting of Kirk, who was a vocal supporter of President Donald Trump and a prominent conservative figure, has been described by Utah's governor as a "political assassination," with flags ordered at half-staff at the White House and Trump properties. The incident has sparked renewed debate over political violence, public safety, and gun control, with some Democrats calling for legislative action and Republicans blaming partisan rhetoric. The federal investigation into the shooting is ongoing, and the motives and identity of the shooter remain unclear.