Overview

• On the 9/11 anniversary, Rep. Derrick Van Orden posted on X that he "will be at war" over Charlie Kirk's killing and paired an image of the Twin Towers with a photo of Kirk.
• Van Orden used the post to denounce "leftist scumbags," despite authorities not naming a suspect or motive in the case.
• The Wisconsin Republican later confronted reporters on Capitol Hill, pointing at journalists and declaring they were "at fault" for the "assassination," telling one questioner to "knock it off."
• Coverage described sharply different media responses, with Fox News host Jesse Watters urging the right to "avenge Charlie's death" and MSNBC guests avoiding criticism of Kirk as figures like Mehdi Hasan condemned the murder.
• Social-media commenters rebuked Van Orden's language, arguing such rhetoric fuels division and risks further violence.