President Donald Trump posthumously awarded the late Charlie Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom and declared his birthday as the National Day of Remembrance for Charlie Kirk. The award was received by his widow, Erika Kirk, on Oct. 14, the day that would have been his 32nd birthday.
Kirk, co-founder of Turning Point USA (TPUSA), died from an assassin’s bullet to the neck on Sept. 10. Kirk had been speaking at a TPUSA event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. Tyler Robinson, 22, of St. George, Utah, has been charged in Kirk’s death.
The ceremony was attended by some 100 people in the White House’s Rose Garden, where the president spoke for approximately 30 minutes, lauding Kirk’s dedication to his Christian faith and his love for America and freedom.
“Everything he did was historic, and [he was] a true evangelist for the cause of freedom and the Word of Almighty God,” Trump said. “God was very important to Charlie. He would say, ‘You don’t have religion, you’re not going to have a strong country.’ It’s true. He was so wise beyond his years.
“Charlie never missed an opportunity to remind us of the Judeo-Christian principles of our nation’s founding, or to share his deep Christian faith. In his final moments, Charlie testified to the greatness of America and to the glory of our Savior, with whom he now rests in Heaven.”
In accepting the award, Erika Kirk, the new CEO of TPUSA, said: “Charlie’s life was proof that freedom is not a theory, it’s a testimony. He showed us that liberty begins not in the halls of power, but in the end, a heart surrendered to God.”
A cross was engraved on the medal awarded to Kirk, the first Presidential Medal with a Christian cross inscribed on it.
Franklin Graham, president of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan’s Purse, commented about the ceremony on Facebook.
“This medal is not just from the President, but from our country,” Franklin posted, “and there are millions and millions of us who Charlie spoke for. This honor is well-deserved, and I pray that it will be an expression of our gratitude and love for the principles Charlie stood for, the Gospel message he so clearly shared, and the battles he fought to preserve our freedoms.”
Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California, attended the event, invited by Erika. Laurie also commented on the event.
“It was a very touching moment as Erika Kirk showed my wife, Cathe, and Pastor James Kaddis the Medal of Freedom that was presented to her by the President of the United States in honor of her late husband,” Laurie posted. “One unique and powerful detail was the cross engraved on the back of the medal—something that has never been done before. It was added in recognition of Charlie Kirk’s strong faith in Christ.”
Trump had been in Israel for the peace-deal signing between Hamas and Israel before he flew back to attend the ceremony. Following the presentation, Trump proclaimed Oct. 14 as National Day of Remembrance for Charlie Kirk by signing a presidential order. Erika stood by his side as he signed.
