MI Judge Faces Backlash Over Facebook Comment On Charlie Kirk Shooting

The head of the Oakland County Republican Party called for a Michigan judge to resign over a comment she made on Facebook relating to the assassination of conservative political activist Charlie Kirk.

Hours after the shooting Wednesday, 45th District Court Judge Jaimie Powell Horowitz shared a video featuring Kirk speaking about gun violence at a 2023 event, according to a Detroit News report.

She shared the video with the caption, "Talk about dying for your beliefs," and a quote from Kirk that read: "I think it’s worth it to have the cost of unfortunately some gun deaths every year..so we can have the Second Amendment to protect our other God given rights. It’s a prudent deal, a rational deal."

Oakland County Republican Party chair Vance Patrick said the comment was "disgusting" and called for Horowitz to resign.

"Any attempt to justify or lessen the severity of the assassination of Charlie Kirk is a clear indicator of the lack of character and moral fiber of that person," Patrick said. "Judge Horowitz should resign immediately to help protect the integrity of our court system."

Powell Horowitz told The Detroit News on Thursday that her post was factual and that she will not step down.

"The fact that Mr. Kirk — in his own words — had said these kinds of deaths are worth it to protect our Second Amendment rights, as if it's just something we’re willing to accept for gun rights, I think that’s a quote people should really think about," Powell Horowitz told the outlet. "I hope people will think about his quote, and whether or not gun deaths are worth it for Second Amendment rights. I certainly don't think his death or others' death is worth it.

Powell Horowitz was elected to the bench in 2020 after working as an assistant prosecutor in Wayne County for more than 15 years.

Kirk, 31, a native of Arlington Heights, IL, was fatally shot Wednesday during an event at Utah Valley University. Video from the event shows Kirk falling from his chair as a shot was fired in his lower neck.

Investigators believe they have found the gun used in the killing and released images of a person of interest Thursday. The FBI is offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to the identification of the shooter.

Related:

• Conservative Activist Charlie Kirk Shot Dead, MI Officials React: 'Sadness. Disgust. Anger'
• Trump Says 'Radical Left' Directly Responsible For Kirk Shooting, Political Violence