A sitting U.S. Senator is facing backlash after calling for the public execution of the alleged killer of right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk, despite the suspect not having been convicted. The controversy centers on Utah Senator Mike Lee, who has served in office since 2011 and made the statement publicly on social media.
As reported by The Blast, Lee posted the remark on X, explicitly demanding that the accused be executed in public. The statement quickly drew criticism for appearing to disregard the legal process entirely.
The accused, Tyler Robinson, was arrested last September following the fatal shooting of Kirk during an event for his nonprofit organization, Turning Point USA. Robinson faces the death penalty if convicted, but has not yet entered a formal plea as proceedings continue.
The comment ignored due process entirely
Lee’s post was blunt, stating, “Execute Tyler Robinson. In public.” The senator had previously made a similar remark, saying Robinson deserved to be publicly executed for the alleged crime, a comment that drew comparisons to recent debates over federal power responses in news like recently reported federal press device seizures. While prosecutors have indicated they plan to seek the death penalty if Robinson is convicted, Utah law does not permit public executions.
The post sparked immediate outrage online, with many users condemning the senator’s language. Critics argued that calling for execution prior to a conviction violated basic principles of due process and was inappropriate for an elected official, much as other political figures, like Donald Trump, have faced backlash over public communication missteps recently regarding international policy shifts towards Europe.
The controversy unfolded as legal actions surrounding the case continued. Charlie Kirk’s wife, Erika Kirk, recently filed a motion through her attorney, Jeffrey Neiman, asserting her right to a speedy trial as a victim under Utah law. The filing argued that the court should balance Robinson’s right to a fair trial with her right to a timely resolution.
Robinson last appeared in court on January 16, when Judge Tony Graf issued an order limiting press coverage during the hearing. The decision came after defense attorneys raised concerns that a pool cameraman had zoomed in on Robinson, potentially capturing private conversations and violating prior court orders.
Judge Graf ruled that further close-up footage could prejudice the case and barred additional recordings of Robinson during the hearing. While the judge declined to hold the videographer in contempt or issue a fine, he noted that such penalties were within his authority.
Defense attorneys have also sought to remove a local prosecutor, citing a potential conflict of interest because a family member of the prosecutor was reportedly present at the event where Kirk was shot. Judge Graf denied referring the matter to the Utah Attorney General’s Office, instead ordering an evidentiary hearing to address the issue. Robinson has not yet entered a plea and is scheduled to return to court on February 3.
Published: Jan 22, 2026 03:00 pm