Vance Backs Mass Doxing Campaign Against Charlie Kirk Critics, Igniting Free Speech Concerns
Vance Backs Mass Doxing Campaign Against Charlie Kirk Critics, Igniting Free Speech Concerns
US Vice-President JD Vance has publicly endorsed a mass ‘doxing’ campaign targeting individuals perceived to be celebrating the recent assassination of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk. Speaking on Kirk’s podcast on Monday, Vance urged listeners to ‘call out’ and even contact employers of those seen celebrating Kirk’s death. He stated, ‘We don’t believe in political violence, but we do believe in civility, and there is no civility in the celebration of political assassination.’ This endorsement comes amidst a wave of punitive actions against workers across various sectors who have commented on Kirk’s passing, with some already facing termination.
An anonymous website, initially named ‘Expose Charlie’s Murderers’ before rebranding to the ‘Charlie Kirk Data Foundation,’ claimed to have received over 63,000 submissions targeting anti-Kirk ‘political extremism.’ The site, which was reportedly down on Tuesday, has drawn significant criticism. Allies of former President Trump have, without presenting evidence, linked Kirk’s killing to a purported left-wing ‘terror’ movement, fueling widespread fears of a severe crackdown on free speech and potential government overreach.
Vance, joined by Stephen Miller, Trump’s former deputy chief of staff, vowed to leverage government resources to ‘identify, disrupt, dismantle and destroy these networks’ blamed for Kirk’s death. Miller asserted, ‘With God as my witness, we are going to use every resource we have at the Department of Justice, homeland security and throughout this government to identify, disrupt, dismantle and destroy these networks and make America safe again for the American people… It will happen, and we will do it in Charlie’s name.’ The political motivations of Kirk’s shooter remain unclear, and the US has recently experienced political violence targeting both sides of the political spectrum.
The dragnet has not only targeted those celebrating Kirk’s death but also individuals who have simply criticized the late commentator, known for his Christian nationalist views and controversial speeches. Examples include an Army Lt Col who quoted Kirk’s own words and teachers in Republican-controlled states facing investigations. The US military has also invited public reports and removed some troops for their comments. Critics, such as Adam Goldstein of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, have drawn parallels to McCarthyism, warning that government involvement in such campaigns could severely undermine free expression.
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