State Department Revokes Visas of 6 Foreign Nationals Who Gloated Over Charlie Kirk's Assassination Online

State Department Revokes Visas of Six Noncitizens Who Celebrated Charlie Kirk's Assassination Online The State Department announced on Tuesday that it had revoked the visas of six noncitizens who had celebrated the assassination of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk online. The move comes as part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to lionize Kirk and chill criticism of his politics. According to a thread shared by the State Department on X, the offending remarks were made in response to Kirk's assassination, which occurred in September 2025. The comments were redacted to protect the identities of the posters, but their content was described as "crass" and "incendiary." One commenter suggested that Kirk should be remembered for his life's work spreading racist, xenophobic, and misogynistic rhetoric. Nota Baloyi, a South African national, had his visa revoked for tweeting that Charlie Kirk "won't be remembered as a hero." He was used to astroturf a movement of white nationalists who sought to promote Kirk's ideology. In an interview with The Intercept on Wednesday, Baloyi stated that he was unaware of the consequences of his actions and was simply expressing his opinion. The State Department's decision to revoke visas has sparked debate among experts and advocates for free speech. "This is a clear attempt by the administration to silence critics and stifle dissent," said Sarah Jones, a spokesperson for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). "The First Amendment protects even the most unpopular or incendiary speech, and this move sets a dangerous precedent." Background context on Charlie Kirk's life and ideology is necessary to understand the implications of the State Department's decision. Kirk was a prominent figure in the right-wing movement, known for his inflammatory rhetoric and advocacy for white nationalism. His assassination sparked widespread outrage among his supporters, who saw him as a hero. The Trump administration's efforts to lionize Kirk have been met with criticism from many quarters. "This is a cynical attempt to exploit tragedy for political gain," said Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), who spoke at Kirk's memorial service in September 2025. "We should be working towards unity and understanding, not using the deaths of innocent people as a rallying cry." The current status of the six noncitizens whose visas were revoked is unclear. It is also uncertain whether they will appeal the decision or seek to have their visas reinstated. As the debate over free speech and censorship continues, one thing is clear: the State Department's decision has set a precedent that could have far-reaching implications for online discourse and the rights of noncitizens in the United States. *Reporting by Theintercept.*