The States Must Protect our Rights and Liberties
Originally published at Pennsylvania Policy Center on September 18, 2025. September 18, 2025 By Marc Stier The murder of Charlie Kirk was a terrible, appalling event. It was a blow not just to this young man and his family and young children, but to freedom of speech in the United States. Whatever one thinks of Kirk’s views—and I vehemently disagree with him—our country is diminished by his murder. People of all views will now think twice about entering the public space to express views that might be controversial. And we are all poorer for that. The worst possible response to this awful event, however, is being contemplated by President Trump and Vice President Vance. Their recent statements threatening to punish and defund “left-wing groups” that they wrongly hold responsible for the murder of Kirk would be an even greater threat to freedom of speech and assembly than the murder itself.… Continue reading