Michigan Judge Faces GOP Resignation Calls Over Charlie Kirk Gun Comments

Oak Park District Court Judge Jaimie Powell Horowitz faced calls to resign from Oakland County Republican Party chair Vance Patrick and other GOP leaders after posting a video and quote from recently assassinated conservative activist Charlie Kirk on social media. The quote, originally from a 2023 Turning Point USA event, stated that some gun deaths are an acceptable cost to protect Second Amendment rights. Powell Horowitz captioned the post, "Talk about dying for your beliefs," sparking outrage among Republicans who viewed the comments as justifying or lessening the severity of Kirk's assassination. Despite the backlash, Powell Horowitz defended her post as factual and emphasized the importance of free speech, refusing to resign. She urged people to reflect on Kirk's own words about gun deaths and Second Amendment rights but clarified she did not believe any death was worth it. The controversy highlights tensions around free speech, gun rights, and political discourse following the targeted killing of Kirk, a prominent gun rights advocate.