Local Democratic Party in Washington deletes post mocking assassination of Charlie Kirk

Yakima County Democrats are under fire after posting, and then deleting, a Facebook message that appeared to mock conservative commentator Charlie Kirk in the days following his assassination.

A screenshot of the now-removed post read: “Blah blah blah Charlie Kirk hmm hmm hmm radicalized nada nada nada facists.” The dismissive message quickly drew outrage from Washington residents who saw it as an example of casual hostility toward a murdered public figure.

Party chair Soneya Lund later issued an apology, blaming a volunteer for the unauthorized post. “The Yakima Democrats do not condone violence of any sort, political or not. While we may not agree with an individual's political stance, we 100% support their rights to vocalize them. Again, our thoughts and prayers are with [Erika] Kirk and their young children. … Our deepest apologies for our oversight and insensitivity.”

The organization said it would begin more closely monitoring access to its social media accounts.

The Yakima County post is part of a string of recent controversies across Washington tied to reactions to Kirk’s death.

In Kelso, City Councilman Jim Hill made national headlines with a public post on a local news blog in which he derided Kirk as merely a “podcaster” who “became rich and recognized because his lips were firmly attached to Trump’s behind.”

Hill went further, writing: “The fact in my humble opinion is this. There is one less voice to promote Trump’s agenda. Where Trump and his minions want our Country to go. Perhaps it’s a good thing his voice was silenced.”

He then added, “Assassinations are going to continue. That there is unprecedented hate, I think, is out there. And guns are going to be the answer, to whether we continue to seek the ideals of our Constitution, continue our search for a better nation on one side, or Trumpism wins out.”

Critics argue Hill’s comments amount to rationalizing violence as a political tool, suggesting that bloodshed is the only way to “protect the ideals of the Constitution” from what he described as “Trumpism.”

At the state level, the Kent School District (KSD) confirmed that it intentionally defied both federal and state directives to keep flags at half-staff through Sunday in Kirk’s honor.

Instead, KSD instructed schools to raise flags back to full mast on Friday, with an internal email from facilities director Gordon Cook telling staff: “All these schools need to raise their flags to full mast.” Parents who called the superintendent’s office were told the district was “not participating.”

The move put KSD at odds with both President Donald Trump, who ordered flags nationwide lowered for Kirk, and Governor Bob Ferguson, who issued a proclamation not only honoring Kirk but also extending the tribute to Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, Democrats killed in June, as well as “all victims of political violence.”

In response to public backlash, KSD released a statement titled “Upholding Our Values: A Statement on Flag Protocol and Ethical Leadership.”

The district defended its decision, writing, “When a person has made public statements that conflict with the values of inclusivity, respect, and student safety that we as a District strive to uphold, we may choose not to fly the flag at half-staff. … Our decision reflects both our compliance with Washington State law and our unwavering commitment to ethical leadership and educational equity.”