US threatens to strip visas for foreigners over Kirk killing online posts

A general view of a wreath laid by mourners outside the US Embassy in Pretoria, South Africa, following the fatal shooting of US youth activist and influencer Charlie Kirk while speaking during an event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, United States. Photo / Phill Magakoe, AFP

The State Department’s number two today threatened to strip visas over online support for the killing of United States right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk, encouraging internet users to flag foreigners’ posts.

“In light of yesterday’s horrific assassination of a leading political figure, I want to underscore that foreigners who glorify violence and hatred are not welcome visitors to our country,” Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau wrote on X.

“I have been disgusted to see some on social media praising, rationalising, or making light of the event, and have directed our consular officials to undertake appropriate action,” he wrote, without naming specific posts.

Landau quickly received replies that pointed to specific online comments and which encouraged him to revoke visas purported to belong to foreign residents in the US.

Landau responded in turn, asking X users to keep sharing by replying to him online. He promised to ask the State Department to look into the posts.

Kirk, a 31-year-old ally of President Donald Trump who has helped galvanise conservative support among young people, was shot dead during a speaking engagement yesterday at a university in Utah.

The Trump Administration has moved aggressively to revoke or deny visas as part of a broader crackdown on immigration.

As of mid-August, the State Department said it has rescinded 6000 student visas, mostly over legal violations including overstays or police encounters including drunk driving.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also said he is prioritising the revocation of visas of “lunatics” who led campus protests against Israel’s offensive in Gaza, using a law that allows him to remove people for going against US foreign policy interests.

Under Rubio’s orders, the State Department now asks all visa applicants to keep their social media profiles open for vetting.

The approach comes despite outspoken criticism by the Trump Administration over restrictions on online speech in European allies, including over alleged incitement by far-right groups.

-Agence France-Presse