Two tragic victims, two wrongful killings, two massive reactions. But how different they were! Let’s compare.
THE VICTIMS
Both victims were persons whose lives were precious in the sight of God, and the lives of both were entitled to the protection of law. But the contrasts between them are striking.
2020
The victim was George Floyd. Floyd had some achievements in athletics and rap music, but he also had numerous brushes with the law, most of them for drug dealing and drug abuse, but also a conviction of armed robbery.
2025
The victim was Charlie Kirk. A 31-year-old husband and father, Kirk founded Turning Point USA to motivate young people to get involved in civic affairs and to stand for the Christian faith and for the principles of our American constitutional republic. Kirk’s hallmark was his willingness to come to college campuses and engage liberals in open and honest debate, usually confounding his opponents with impressive facts and logic.
THE CRIMES
Both victims’ lives were tragically ended by violent action. But again, the differences are notable.
2020
A store cashier called the police and accused George Floyd of paying for cigarettes with a counterfeit $20 dollar bill. There was conflicting testimony, but by some accounts Floyd was on fentanyl and meth and was taken down because he resisted arrest. Prosecutors argued, and the jury found, that the arresting officer used excessive force which caused Floyd’s death. The prosecutors did not allege, and the jury did not find, that the killing was intentional or premeditated.
2025
Charlie Kirk was shot and killed while speaking to an audience of about 3,000 people, mostly students, at Utah Valley University. The case has not yet gone to court and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty, but there is strong evidence to establish that the killing was intentional, premeditated, and in cold blood.
THE REACTIONS
Like the victims and the crimes, the reactions are a study in contrasts.
2020
The left reacted to the death of George Floyd as thousands poured into the streets for a summer of rioting, looting, burning and mayhem. As rioters splattered the streets with blood and wreckage, their leaders flooded the media with venomous hatred for America. The riots caused between $1 and $2 billion in property damage (some say more), much of it suffered by innocent businesspersons and property owners. Additionally, at least 700 law enforcement officers were injured, with some estimates as high as 2,000, and at least 25 people were killed.
Meanwhile, the family of George Floyd received a $27 million settlement from the City of Minneapolis.
2025
The right reacted to the death of Charlie Kirk with prayer vigils, memorial services, increased church attendance, expressions of patriotism, public statements by pastors and leaders in government, an award of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the passing of House Resolution 719 honoring Charlie Kirk by the U.S. House of Representatives and similar resolutions currently being considered by state legislatures, and a nationally-televised memorial service. Currently there are approximately 2,000 Turning Point USA chapters in the United States, but since the assassination TPUSA has received (thus far) more than 54,000 requests from students to start new chapters. Kirk’s young widow Erika Kirk has been named the new CEO of TPUSA and has told her husband’s killer, “You have no idea what you just have unleashed across this entire country, and this world.”
As of this writing, it seems unlikely that the Kirk family will request or receive any kind of settlement for Kirk’s wrongful death.
AND SO?
So why am I writing this column? Why am I making these comparisons?
What do these contrasts tell us about what is going on in America?
And what should we do about it?
That’s for you to decide.
Colonel Eidsmoe service as Professor of Constitutional Law for the Oak Brook College of Law & Government Policy (obcl.edu), as Senior Counsel for the Foundation for Moral Law (morallaw.org), and as Pastor of Woodland Presbyterian Church of Notasulga, Alabama (woodlandpca.org). He may be contacted for speaking engagements at [email protected].
The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of 1819 News. To comment, please send an email with your name and contact information to [email protected].
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