The Left seemingly has no heart. They make light of their political opponents losing their lives.
And now a leading Democrat mocked Charlie Kirk in disgusting comments he’ll never live down.
Palmetto Bay, Florida, Councilman Steve Cody sparked widespread outrage with a Facebook post mocking the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot in the neck by 22-year-old Tyler Robinson during a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University on September 10.
Cody’s post, which quoted Kirk’s 2023 defense of Second Amendment rights—“I think it’s worth to have a cost of, unfortunately, some gun deaths every single year so that we can have the Second Amendment to protect our other God-given rights”—callously described Kirk as a “fitting sacrifice to our Lords: Smith & Wesson. Hallowed be their names,” twisting the Lord’s Prayer to deride Kirk’s Christian faith. The post, since deleted, was preserved by outlets like the Tampa Free Press and prompted calls for Cody’s resignation from local and state leaders, who condemned his insensitivity and apparent endorsement of violence.
Cody’s Post and Community Reaction
Cody, a Democrat elected to the Palmetto Bay Village Council in 2020, posted the inflammatory message on his personal Facebook account, which features an AI-generated image of President Donald Trump holding a taco. The post, made hours after Kirk’s death, drew immediate condemnation for its callousness and perceived mockery of Kirk’s faith and advocacy for free speech.
Palmetto Bay Mayor Karyn Cunningham, a Republican, demanded Cody’s resignation, stating, “Violence has no place in our community or in our nation, and words that seek to diminish or make light of such tragedy are equally harmful. The people of Palmetto Bay deserve leadership that reflects compassion, responsibility, and dignity in moments of crisis.” Protesters gathered at Village Hall, with resident Chad Heffernan calling the post “immoral” and Councilwoman Marsha Matson labeling it “disgusting” and “vile.”
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, U.S. Rep. Carlos Gimenez, State Sen. Ileana Garcia, and State Rep. María Elvira Salazar, all Republicans, echoed the call for Cody to step down. Salazar wrote, “How disgusting for Steve Cody, an elected official, to not only celebrate news of Charlie Kirk’s assassination, but also, sacrilegiously smear the name of an American Patriot who was passionate about his faith in the one true lord, Jesus Christ.
Palmetto Bay deserves leaders who model integrity and respect, not officials who glorify violence and mock a man’s faith.” Garcia called the post “abhorrent” and “unacceptable,” while Gimenez deemed it “unbecoming of any elected official.” Miami-Dade County Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins, a Democrat, also demanded Cody’s resignation, stating he “can no longer be trusted to serve, lead, nor represent this community.”
Cody’s Apology and Defiance
Facing mounting pressure, Cody issued an apology on September 11, writing, “Yesterday, I regrettably made a significant error in judgment by sharing a quotation on my personal Facebook page that referenced remarks made by the deceased Charlie Kirk. This action, born out of my deep anger and frustration with the now too common tragedy of gun violence, was misguided. I want to state unequivocally that this post did not and does not reflect my personal values, my deeply held beliefs, or my solemn responsibilities as an elected official. To the Kirk family, my sincere condolences during this difficult time, and my apologies for any statements I made that caused you further distress.” Captioned “I screwed up,” the apology failed to quell criticism, as Cody defiantly told NBC6, “I understand why they’re saying that, but that’s not something I’m going to do,” refusing to resign.
Critics, including Republican Party of Florida Chairman Evan Power, slammed Cody’s apology as insufficient, calling him a “bully drunk on power” who disrespected Kirk’s faith and legacy.
Power argued the Florida Democratic Party’s silence made them “complicit in the behavior that is at the root of political violence.” Cody’s history of controversy, including a May 2025 lawsuit challenging Vice Mayor Mark Merwitzer’s legitimacy over a property dispute—costing Palmetto Bay thousands in legal fees—further fueled perceptions of him as a divisive figure unfit for leadership.
Kirk’s Legacy and the Shooter’s Motive
Charlie Kirk, 31, was a prominent conservative voice, founding Turning Point USA to engage young conservatives and hosting a widely followed online program. His “American Comeback Tour” aimed to foster civil debate, with the Utah event encouraging students to challenge his views.
Tyler Robinson, a Utah native and third-year electrical apprenticeship student at Dixie Technical College, was arrested on September 11 after his father and a youth pastor turned him in following his confession.
Authorities found a bolt-action rifle with unfired casings bearing anti-fascist messages, including “Hey fascist! Catch!” and lyrics from the WWII-era Italian resistance song “Bella Ciao,” suggesting a political motive. Robinson, who had no prior criminal record and was not affiliated with a political party, faces charges of aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm, and obstruction of justice.
President Trump, a close ally of Kirk, praised his character on Fox & Friends, saying, “He wanted to help young people, and he didn’t deserve this. He was really a good person,” and expressed hope for the death penalty for Robinson.
Vice President JD Vance, who credited Kirk with shaping his political career, accompanied Kirk’s body to Arizona on Air Force Two. The assassination, labeled a “political assassination” by Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, has intensified national debates over political violence, following incidents like two 2024 attempts on Trump’s life and attacks on Democratic officials in Minnesota and Pennsylvania.
