Why would Democrats do this?
Five New York House Democrats are under intense fire after they ducked a critical vote on a resolution honoring conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was tragically assassinated.
Reps. Ritchie Torres, Grace Meng, Dan Goldman, Tim Kennedy, and George Latimer were all marked as “not voting,” a move critics say was a cowardly attempt to avoid taking a stand on condemning political violence.
Their refusal has sparked outrage from Republicans and millions of Americans who believe silence is complicity.
Democrats Try to Have It Both Ways
Four of the five Democrats later admitted they didn’t want to vote “no” on condemning political violence and Kirk’s murder — but also refused to vote “yes” because of Kirk’s strong conservative values.
Ritchie Torres attempted to defend his decision:
“I could easily vote for a resolution that unequivocally condemns the murder of Charlie Kirk and extends condolences to his loved ones,” Torres said. “But I cannot and will not vote for a resolution that romanticizes the legacy of anyone who opposed the Civil Rights Act of 1965. That is my red line.”
Dan Goldman argued that skipping the vote was “the most prudent choice”:
“I denounce all forms of political violence, including the tragic assassination of Mr. Kirk,” Goldman stated. “However, I cannot support a resolution that glorifies beliefs I deeply disagree with — nor can I vote against a measure that condemns political violence.”
George Latimer, whose district includes parts of the Bronx and Westchester, said he couldn’t support Kirk’s positions on issues such as birth control, affirmative action, and what he described as “demeaning statements” about Black women.
“It’s a terrible tragedy,” Latimer admitted. “But this resolution was clearly a political ploy. I won’t endorse that.”
Grace Meng echoed similar sentiments, calling political violence “unacceptable” and Kirk’s assassination “a tragedy.” However, she argued the resolution wasn’t “comprehensive” enough to address Democratic concerns.
Tim Kennedy remained silent, offering no public comment.
What the Resolution Actually Said
Republicans fired back, pointing out that the resolution didn’t mention any controversial policy positions.
Instead, it simply honored Kirk as:
- “A man of deep faith.”
- “A fierce defender of America’s founding principles — life, liberty, and limited government.”
- A champion of free markets, personal responsibility, and First Amendment free speech rights.
In other words, Democrats refused to honor a man for defending freedom itself.
Far-Left Democrats Go Even Further
While these five New York Democrats hid from the vote, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) and other members of the radical progressive wing voted outright against the resolution.
Meanwhile, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Rep. Gregory Meeks, and Rep. Jerry Nadler joined all Republicans in voting “yes.”
Republicans: Democrats Are “Too Weak to Stand Up”
Republicans blasted Democrats for caving to their radical base and refusing to stand firmly against political violence.
“Democrats love to brand themselves as the party of tolerance,” said National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Mike Marinella. “But when they had the chance to denounce political violence and pay tribute to a man who motivated countless young Americans to stand up for freedom, they chose to run and hide. Their radical base cheers on this kind of violence, and Democrats are simply too spineless to push back.”
Why This Matters for America
This controversy highlights a growing rift within the Democratic Party. Moderate Democrats are under extreme pressure from radical progressives like AOC, pushing them further left and away from the values of ordinary Americans.
By refusing to take a stand, these five lawmakers have alienated millions of voters who see their actions as political gamesmanship in the face of tragedy.
For conservatives, this is yet another wake-up call: the radical Left will not stop until every traditional American value is destroyed — and too many Democrats are willing to go along with it.
Bottom Line
The assassination of Charlie Kirk should have been a moment to unite Americans against political violence. Instead, Democrats turned it into a partisan spectacle, proving once again that ideology matters more to them than unity or basic human decency.
This fight is far from over — and voters will remember who stood for freedom and who hid in the shadows.