Democrats objected after Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) requested a spoken prayer from the House floor for conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated on Wednesday while holding an event at a university in Utah.
Kirk, 31, was shot and killed during an appearance at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. He was transported to a hospital and later pronounced dead. As news of the assassination spread, House Speaker Mike Johnson held a moment of silence in the House for Kirk. After the moment of silence, Boebert asked for a verbal prayer.
“I believe silent prayer gets silent results,” Boebert said, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Boebert’s request was met with yells of opposition from Democrats, including from Rep. Jahana Hayes (D-CT), who yelled about school shootings, the Journal reported. Other Democrats screamed “no.”
Daily Mail reporter Jon Michael Raasch described the incident as “Possibly the ugliest moment I’ve ever witnessed in politics.” About three dozen Democrats in total objected to having a spoken prayer, according to the outlet. “Pass some gun laws!” one yelled. In response, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna yelled back, “You f***ing own this!”
NEW: Democrats REJECT prayers for Charlie Kirk as moment of silence devolves into House floor shouting match
Possibly the ugliest moment I’ve ever witnessed in politics…https://t.co/zfUEazy0Qi
— Jon Michael Raasch (@JMRaasch) September 10, 2025
The verbal back-and-forth prompted Johnson to repeatedly bang the gavel and call the House to order.
A moment of silence was held on the House floor for Charlie Kirk.
Rep. Lauren Boebert then called for a moment of prayer for Charlie Kirk. Democrats verbally disapproved. pic.twitter.com/YJA0D95nqk
— Kassy Akiva (@KassyAkiva) September 10, 2025
“Utterly devastating. Charlie was a close friend and confidant. He will be sorely missed by so many,” Johnson posted on X. “Every political leader must loudly and clearly decry this violence. Our prayers go out to his wife and young children. May he rest in peace.”
The FBI announced that a person of interest had been captured, and that person was believed to be the shooter.
“The subject for the horrific shooting today that took the life of Charlie Kirk is now in custody. Thank you to the local and state authorities in Utah for your partnership with @fbi,” FBI Director Kash Patel wrote on X. “We will provide updates when able.”