In the aftermath of the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, several Democratic power players mourned him and slammed political violence.
But unlike in past deadly episodes of gun violence, the leaders were silent on calling for any gun control measures.
“I am deeply disturbed by the shooting in Utah,” former Vice President Kamala Harris said in a post on X.
“Doug and I send our prayers to Charlie Kirk and his family. Let me be clear: Political violence has no place in America. I condemn this act, and we all must work together to ensure this does not lead to more violence,” she added.
Former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden both said they were praying for Kirk and his family.
“We don’t yet know what motivated the person who shot and killed Charlie Kirk, but this kind of despicable violence has no place in our democracy. Michelle and I will be praying for Charlie’s family tonight, especially his wife Erika and their two young children,” Obama wrote on X.
Biden said there was “no place” in the United States “for this kind of violence.”
“It must end now. Jill and I are praying for Charlie Kirk’s family and loved ones,” he added.
Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA), a possible future presidential contender, also passed up the chance to call for gun control measures.
“The attack on Charlie Kirk is disgusting, vile, and reprehensible. In the United States of America, we must reject political violence in EVERY form,” he wrote on X.
Gabrielle Giffords, the former congresswoman and gun control advocate who was shot in the head by a gunman, also decided not to use her statement on Kirk to build towards a gun control message.
“Attacks against political or ideological opponents are cowardly and un-American, and must be universally condemned,” she said.
MIKE JOHNSON CLARIFIES CLAIM TRUMP WAS FBI INFORMANT AGAINST EPSTEIN: ‘THIS ISN’T MY LANE’
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) did not call for gun control in reaction to Kirk’s death but did call for “gun safety legislation” in response to a Denver high school shooting.
“Students were eating lunch when they heard the gunshots. It’s yet another horrific school shooting, and every time my heart breaks for the kids, parents, and communities shattered by gun violence. We can’t stop demanding change. Congress can and must pass gun safety legislation,” she wrote on X.
