US revokes visas over comments made about Charlie Kirk’s death

The Trump administration has taken decisive action by revoking the visas of at least six individuals for their public remarks celebrating the death of right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk. The State Department announced the move on X, stating, ‘The United States has no obligation to host foreigners who wish death on Americans.’ The department shared screenshots of social media posts from visa holders who allegedly expressed approval of Kirk’s assassination in September, hinting at further visa cancellations. Kirk, a prominent ally of former President Donald Trump, was fatally shot on September 10 while speaking at a university event in Utah. Known as a champion of free speech and a mobilizer of young Republicans, Kirk’s death has sparked both mourning among conservatives and backlash from liberals who criticized his controversial statements on race and crime. The six individuals whose visas were revoked hail from Argentina, South Africa, Mexico, Brazil, Germany, and Paraguay. While their identities remain undisclosed, South African national Nhlamulo Baloyi confirmed to media outlets that his business visa was revoked last week. Baloyi admitted to writing one of the posts shared by the State Department, in which he described Kirk’s followers as ‘trailer trash’ and dismissed Kirk’s legacy. The visa cancellations coincided with President Trump posthumously awarding Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom, calling him a ‘martyr’ and blaming ‘far-left radicals’ for his death. The suspect in Kirk’s killing, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, was arrested two days after the shooting and charged with aggravated murder. The Trump administration’s actions reflect a broader Republican effort to target Kirk’s critics, with Vice-President JD Vance urging people to report those who celebrated the killing. The administration has also intensified social media vetting during visa applications, revoking thousands of student visas this year, citing violations ranging from assault to ‘support for terrorism,’ though the latter remains undefined.