Pardoned Insurrectionists Seize on Charlie Kirk's Assassination to Fuel Calls for Civil War

Pardoned Insurrectionists Call for Civil War Amid Charlie Kirk's Assassination In the aftermath of Wednesday's assassination of right-wing youth leader Charlie Kirk, a group of pardoned insurrectionists has issued calls to their networks to seek revenge against the left, which they blame for Kirk's death. Despite the shooter still being unidentified and their motivations unknown, leaders of prominent extremist groups have taken to social media and email newsletters to incite violence. According to an email obtained by Mother Jones, Stewart Rhodes, founder of the Oath Keepers militia group, wrote to his followers: "The time is now to take a stand against tyranny. We must not let the left get away with this." Rhodes was sentenced to 18 years in prison for his role in leading the January 6th insurrection at the US Capitol. Devin Burghart, executive director of the Institute for Research and Education on Human Rights, expressed concern that reactions to Kirk's death could energize the far-right to intensify political violence. "We're seeing a pattern of behavior from these extremist groups," Burghart said. "They're using this as an opportunity to whip up their followers into a frenzy, which can lead to street clashes, armed paramilitarism, and even racist terror." The calls for revenge come amid a growing trend of far-right extremism in the US. According to a report by the Institute for Research and Education on Human Rights, there has been a significant increase in hate crimes and extremist activity since 2020. In an interview with Mother Jones, Burghart noted that the pardoned insurrectionists are using Kirk's death as a rallying cry to mobilize their followers. "They're trying to create a sense of urgency and momentum around their cause," he said. "But what they're really doing is putting people in harm's way." The international community has been watching the situation unfold with growing concern. In a statement, the European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, condemned the violence and called on all parties to refrain from inciting further conflict. As the investigation into Kirk's assassination continues, the US government is facing pressure to address the root causes of far-right extremism. In a press conference, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said: "We take these threats seriously and will continue to work with law enforcement and other partners to prevent violence and promote public safety." The situation remains volatile, with many experts warning that the calls for revenge could lead to further escalation. As Burghart noted: "This is a ticking time bomb. We need to be vigilant and proactive in addressing this threat before it's too late." *Reporting by Motherjones.*