The U.S. House of Representatives descended into chaos when Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) requested a spoken prayer for conservative activist Charlie Kirk following a moment of silence led by House Speaker Mike Johnson.
Boebert, addressing the chamber, stated, “Silent prayers get silent results,” urging a verbal prayer for Kirk and his family. Democrats vocally opposed the request, with some shouting “No!” and others referencing a school shooting in Colorado that same day, attempting to establish a perceived narrative of Republican inaction on gun violence.
The confrontation escalated as Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) yelled at Democrats, “You f***ing own this!” prompting Speaker Johnson to repeatedly bang his gavel to restore order. Johnson promised a prayer would follow after the session, but the exchange represented deep partisan divides.
Earlier that day, Kirk, the 31-year-old founder of Turning Point USA, was assassinated at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. Kirk was shot in the neck while speaking at a Turning Point USA event during the “American Comeback Tour,” approximately 20 minutes into his speech. He was rushed to a local hospital but was later pronounced dead, leaving behind his wife, Erika, and two young children. The shooting took place under a tent in the university’s outdoor quad, and the suspect remains at large, with a manhunt ongoing as of Wednesday evening. The FBI has set up an online form to collect tips, and a person initially detained was released after being cleared as the shooter.
Kirk’s death, condemned by figures across the political spectrum, including President Trump and former President Obama, has reignited debates over escalating political violence in America. And despite the Democrats’ lack of acknowledgment of Kirk following his assassination, later that evening, the New York Yankees honored Kirk with a moment of silence before their game against the Detroit Tigers at Yankee Stadium.
Before tonight’s game we held a moment of silence in memoriam of Charlie Kirk.
Kirk founded the youth activist group “Turning Point USA” and had become a fixture on college campuses. Charlie Kirk, a husband and father of two children, was 31 years old. pic.twitter.com/Fz5xPlmdu0
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) September 10, 2025
The New York Yankees hold a moment of silence for Charlie Kirk before their game.
“Before tonight’s game we held a moment of silence in memoriam of Charlie Kirk,” the team said.
“Kirk founded the youth activist group “Turning Point USA” and had become a fixture on college… pic.twitter.com/NRj2fHYASz
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) September 10, 2025
