Rubio Promises To Block Visas Of Foreigners Who Cheer Charlie Kirk’s Death
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced this week that the Trump administration is actively revoking and denying visas for foreign nationals who celebrated the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.
Rubio, speaking in a Fox News interview and later expanding his remarks to reporters, made clear that under his leadership, the State Department will not tolerate foreigners expressing support for political violence on U.S. soil.
“We are not in the business of inviting people to visit our country who are going to be involved in negative and destructive behavior,” Rubio said. “If we invite someone to visit the United States of America as a student, as a tourist, as whatever, then the standard they should be held to is very high.”
He continued: “We should not be giving visas to people who are going to come to the United States and do things like celebrate the murder, the execution, the assassination of a political figure. We should not. And if they’re already here, we should be revoking their visa.”
America will not host foreigners who celebrate the death of our fellow citizens.
Visa revocations are under way. If you are here on a visa and cheering on the public assassination of a political figure, prepare to be deported. You are not welcome in this country. pic.twitter.com/dQys2OAeK7
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) September 16, 2025
Rubio’s comments come just days after the assassination of Charlie Kirk at a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University. The 31-year-old conservative activist was shot by a rooftop sniper while speaking in an open-air courtyard, in what federal authorities have confirmed was a politically motivated killing.
“We Don’t Want Pro-Murder People in America”
Rubio didn’t hold back during follow-up remarks to the press, saying the United States has every right to draw the line against people who support acts of violence against political figures.
“There’s no shortage of idiots around the world that’ve decided it’s a great idea to murder someone,” Rubio said. “We don’t want people like that in our country. By the way, it’s bad that we have people that are U.S. citizens that feel that way. But you’re a foreigner? Why would we want to allow into the United States someone who’s in favor of murder?”
“We don’t want pro-murder people in America,” he added bluntly.
A Pattern of Tough Visa Policies
Since taking over the State Department in Trump’s second term, Rubio has taken a hard line on visa policies, particularly when it comes to national security and anti-American activity. In the past year, he has targeted foreign nationals with ties to terrorism, the Chinese Communist Party, and global censorship campaigns. The crackdown has also extended to foreign officials who aided in suppressing free speech online or who helped restrict American businesses abroad.
This latest policy, Rubio said, is consistent with the broader national security goals of the Trump administration — keeping the homeland safe and ensuring that visitors respect American laws and values.
National Response to Kirk’s Death
The move follows a wave of disciplinary actions against both U.S. citizens and non-citizens who mocked or celebrated Kirk’s death online. Airlines, universities, and tech firms have taken action against employees who posted comments cheering the assassination. Vice President JD Vance, in a special appearance on the Charlie Kirk Show, called on Americans to “shine the light of truth” and hold people accountable for justifying political murder.
Rubio’s visa crackdown adds a diplomatic edge to the administration’s response, signaling that celebration of political violence will come with serious consequences — especially for those who don’t have a right to be in the United States.