January 1, University Official Cheers Kirk Shooting Outrage

Wyatt’s Take

• A university leader called it “fair” that Charlie Kirk was shot because of his defense of gun rights.
• People who celebrate violence just because they disagree with someone’s views cross a dangerous line.
• Some who justified Kirk’s murder lost their jobs, but the damage is already done.

After Charlie Kirk was killed, a George Washington University campus director used Facebook to say it was “fair” that Kirk was gunned down due to his support for gun ownership.

“If nothing else, it is fair, in a nation where children get massacred by gun violence on the regular, the people who advocate for continued gun ownership at the expense of those children are not immune from the consequences of their advocacy,” wrote Anthony Pohorilak, a campus administrator at GWU.

He closed his post with, “No thoughts no prayers.” Pohorilak’s post about Kirk’s death drew 37 likes and love reactions from social media friends. The university lists Pohorilak as working in the Campus Living & Residential Education department, and he refers to himself with “He/Him” pronouns.

“The George Washington University unequivocally condemns all forms of violence,” a university statement read. They said Pohorilak was not allowed to speak for the university and his views were not those of GWU.

After the news of Kirk’s assassination, other individuals online also justified or even celebrated the murder, sometimes resulting in firings. The Carolina Panthers dismissed a staff member for sharing a post questioning sympathy for Kirk and posting a song. In other universities, some staff lost their jobs for insensitive comments about Kirk’s assassination. Matthew Dowd from MSNBC was fired after blaming Kirk’s “hateful words” for creating a chain reaction that led to his death, and he later apologized.

If you care about keeping the conversation civil, share this with a friend who wants facts over fury.

Wyatt Matters

When political violence gets excused or even praised by those in power, it chips away at what keeps this country together. Heartland values demand respect and civility, even when we don’t agree.

Read more