US politicians and conservative public figures paid tribute to slain activist and podcaster Charlie Kirk at a memorial service in Glendale, Arizona, on Sunday. The speakers praised Kirk’s ability to connect with young people and his Christian convictions.

Kirk, who co-founded conservative action group Turning Point USA at just 18 years old, was killed by a sniper on September 10 when speaking to students at a college in Utah.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described Kirk as a “warrior” who had the “Biblical heart of a soldier.” He urged the activist’s followers to “live worthy of Charlie Kirk’s sacrifice.”

Journalist Tucker Carlson said that Kirk believed faith was more important than politics. “The main thing about Charlie and his message is that he was bringing the Gospel to the country,” Carlson added. “He was doing the thing that the people in charge hate most, which is calling for them to repent.”

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard hailed Kirk as a “warrior for truth and freedom.”

“His words were his weapons. He slayed ignorance, cut through lies, and woke people’s minds,” she said, adding that “his voice is now louder than ever.”

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