Old Charlie Kirk post goes viral after the Alex Pretti shooting, but it’s the Democratic response that is raising eyebrows

A social media post from 2018 by conservative activist Charlie Kirk has gone viral again after the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. The post, originally shared on X over seven years ago, has sparked a national debate about the Second Amendment, protest safety, and what happens when armed civilians and federal agents come face to face.

According to Newsweek, the official X account for Homeland Dems reshared Kirk’s message with the caption “Interesting.” That single repost has gotten over 1.2 million views, along with thousands of comments and shares. On March 4, 2018, Kirk wrote: “The 2nd amendment is not for hunting, it is not for self protection. It is there to ensure that free people can defend themselves if god forbid government became tyrannical and turned against its citizens.”

Kirk’s statement shows the basic split in how Americans see gun rights. If you believe the Second Amendment exists to check government power, you’ll view the Pretti shooting very differently than someone who sees it mainly as a right for personal defense or sport.

Kirk’s statement highlights America’s divide on gun rights and government power

The old post became news again because of Alex Pretti’s killing during a protest in Minneapolis. The incident has led to investigations into the actions of federal agents and the role guns played at the demonstration. Gun rights supporters say this case proves that tensions between constitutional rights and federal enforcement are reaching dangerous levels.

President Trump addressed the violence in an interview, saying he’s unhappy about it but also pointed out the danger of armed protesters. “I don’t like any shooting. I don’t like it,” Trump said. “But I don’t like it when somebody goes into a protest and he’s got a very powerful, fully loaded gun with two magazines loaded up with bullets also. That doesn’t play good either.”

Senator Pete Ricketts, a Republican from Nebraska and Trump ally, offered prayers to Pretti’s family while stressing the importance of law enforcement. He posted on X that he expects “a prioritized, transparent investigation into this incident,” while adding, “But we must also maintain our core values as a nation, including the right to protest and assemble.” Meanwhile, one senator has sparked major controversy over statements made before the trial.

Former President Bill Clinton urged Americans to recognize the seriousness of the situation. He wrote that the nation faces moments where “the decisions we make and the actions we take will shape our history for years to come. This is one of them.”

He said it’s up to everyone who believes in democracy to “stand up, speak out, and show that our nation still belongs to We the People.” The accused shooter’s behavior has also drawn attention, particularly their courtroom demeanor and legal tactics.