The Trump administration has canceled the visas of six individuals who were found to have made disrespectful remarks or jokes about the conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s assassination. The State Department conducted a review of their social media content and clips related to Kirk, who was tragically killed while speaking at a college campus in Utah on September 10.
This announcement coincided with President Donald Trump’s posthumous awarding of the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Kirk, whom he hailed as a “great American hero” and “martyr” for freedom at Kirk’s funeral in September.
Individuals, including journalists and teachers, have faced repercussions for their comments on Kirk, sparking concerns about freedom of speech. The six foreigners whose visas were revoked hailed from Argentina, Brazil, Germany, Mexico, Paraguay, and South Africa, although their identities were not disclosed.
President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have emphasized the enforcement of immigration laws to protect American citizens and culture. Vice-President JD Vance and other officials have urged the public to report offensive language related to Kirk, with Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau expressing personal dismay at online reactions to Kirk’s death.
In a separate move, the administration has intensified efforts to identify and potentially expel thousands of foreigners in the U.S., particularly students, who have been linked to unrest or expressed support for protests against Israel’s military actions in Gaza. The administration has also taken action against officials and musicians, such as expelling South Africa’s ambassador for criticizing Trump, denying a visa to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, and revoking visas for British punk-rap duo Bob Vylan.
Critics, including civil rights groups, have condemned these measures as potential infringements on freedom of speech rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution, applicable to all individuals within the country, not just American citizens.