In the wake of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk’s assassination last week at Utah Valley University, House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman and Kentucky Congressman James Comer used Wednesday afternoon to invite CEO’s of Discord, Steam, Twitch, and Reddit to testify at a full committee hearing October 8.
The purpose of the hearing, Comer said is to openly examine the “radicalization of online forum users, including instances of open incitement to commit politically motivated acts.”
Comer further noted that the allegedly politically-motivated assassination of Kirk claimed the life of a husband, father, and “American patriot,” and that in the wake of this tragedy, and amid other acts of politically motivated violence, “Congress has a duty to oversee the online platforms that radicals have used to advance political violence.”
In order to prevent future radicalization and violence, Comer said these CEO’s “must appear before the Oversight Committee and explain what actions they will take to ensure their platforms are not exploited for nefarious purposes.”
Multiple news outlets have reported that the alleged shooter, 21-year-old Tyler Robinson, was later apprehended under “gentle conditions” after escaping a campus rooftop.
Multiple news outlets have also reported a mixed bag of Robinson’s supposed beliefs and ideologies, ranging from far left to far right, and none of which has been confirmed.
One could go much further, but dating back to at least 2011, Kirk’s murder is one of many violent political timestamps in American history.
From ABC News:
Jan. 8, 2011 — 6 killed, 13 others including then-Rep. Gabrielle Giffords wounded in Tucson shooting
June 14, 2017 — Rep. Steve Scalise shot during congressional baseball game practice
Oct. 8, 2020 — 13 men arrested for plotting to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer
Jan. 6, 2021 — January 6 attack on the US Capitol, pipe bombs at RNC and DNC
Feb. 14, 2022 — Kentucky mayoral candidate targeted in attempted shooting
Oct. 28, 2022 — Paul Pelosi attacked with hammer in his home
Dec. 4, 2023 to Jan. 3, 2024 — New Mexico state legislature candidate orchestrates shootings, murder for hire
June 13, 2024 — 1st attempted assassination of Donald Trump
Sept. 15, 2024 — 2nd attempted assassination of Donald Trump
Oct. 6, 2024 — Kamala Harris campaign office in Arizona shot at 3 times in a month
Dec. 4, 2024 — Murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson
April 13, 2025 — Arson at Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s residence
May 21, 2025 — Killing of two Israeli embassy staffers in Washington, D.C.
June 1, 2025 — 13 people injured in Colorado firebombing attack, 1 later dies
June 14, 2025 — Minnesota lawmaker shootings
Aug. 8, 2025 — Shooting at CDC headquarters
Sept. 10, 2025 — Shooting of Charlie Kirk
