War Secretary Pete Hegseth honored conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated on Wednesday, during his 9/11 speech at the Pentagon.
The secretary spoke after Gen. Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and briefly touched on Kirk’s killing toward the end of his address before introducing President Donald Trump.
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“The young soldiers who take the oath give me hope. The young cops who wear the badge give me hope. The young firefighters who answer the call give me hope. The young agents who patrol our border give me hope. The life, example, and even death of Christ follower and American patriot Charlie Kirk give me hope,” he said.
“Sheer courage, no matter the arena. Charlie, we love you,” Hegseth continued. “We know that you have heard the Lord’s words. Well done, good and faithful servant. Full hearts, clear eyes, like those on 9/11, you will never be forgotten.”
Thursday is the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks in New York City, Arlington, Virginia, and Stonycreek Township, Pennsylvania, that resulted in the deaths of nearly 3,000 Americans on that day. One hundred eighty-four people died in the plane crash at the Pentagon.
The attack spurred the U.S.’s wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, which led to thousands more American casualties. Many veterans of those wars and first responders to the attacks have dealt with significant long-term health problems.
The secretary also posted a video on social media Wednesday night, showing him addressing service members about Kirk’s killing. He called Kirk a “dear friend of mine” in the video.
Several senior government leaders close to Kirk have shared tributes since his death was announced.
“Charlie was a patriot to my great fellow Americans. I am filled with grief and anger at the heinous assassination of Charlie Kirk on a college campus in Utah. Charlie inspired millions, and tonight, all who knew him and loved him are united in shock and horror,” Trump said in a recorded video from the Oval Office, later calling him a “martyr for truth and freedom.”
The president announced in his remarks at the Pentagon that he will posthumously award Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom.