Following the assassination of Charlie Kirk, supporters on the far right are calling for punishment against those who criticize the conservative activist. Kirk, 31, was shot and killed Wednesday in front of a crowd at a university in Utah. His death has intensified political divisions in the United States, with some viewing him as a martyr.

Laura Sosh-Lightsy, an assistant dean at a Tennessee university, faced backlash after posting on social media, "Hate begets hate. ZERO sympathy," in response to Kirk's death. Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn condemned her remarks, stating, "This person should be ashamed of her post. She should be removed from her position." The president of Middle Tennessee State University announced that an employee was fired for making a "callous" comment about Kirk.

Kirk was a prominent figure in conservative circles, known for his pro-gun, anti-abortion, and anti-immigrant views. The suspect in the shooting, Tyler Robinson, was arrested Thursday and reportedly had anti-fascist messages engraved on his bullet casings. This has led many on the right to label him a "far-left" killer.

In the wake of Kirk's death, some of his supporters have taken to social media to identify and target individuals who praised or celebrated the murder. Conservative influencer Joey Mannarino encouraged followers to investigate these critics, saying, "If they have their picture on their profile, even without a name, download the picture and reverse image search it. Cross-reference it with their LinkedIn profile and find their place of employment. Call the place of employment, leave Google reviews."

These actions have affected various professionals, including teachers and military personnel, some of whom have lost their jobs. While Kirk's murder has drawn condemnation from both sides of the political spectrum, former President Donald Trump quickly blamed the "radical left" for the violence, even as authorities began their investigation.

One targeted individual, an Oklahoma teacher, faced scrutiny after posting, "Charlie Kirk died the same way he lived: bringing out the worst in people." The state's Department of Education described his comments as "abhorrent" and initiated an investigation.

In a show of support for Kirk, Trump ordered flags to be flown at half-staff and facilitated the transport of Kirk's body from Utah to Phoenix, Arizona, aboard Air Force Two, accompanied by Vice President JD Vance. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has instructed military personnel to identify colleagues who mocked or celebrated Kirk's death.

U.S. Under Secretary of State Christopher Landau expressed his disapproval of those who glorified violence on social media, stating, "I have been disgusted to see some on social media praising, rationalizing, or making light of the event." He urged individuals to report such comments to the State Department.

Laura Loomer, a far-right figure, has also targeted critics of Kirk. She condemned a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) employee who criticized the lowering of flags for Kirk, labeling him as someone who "doesn't belong near the levers of our National Power." Following Loomer's comments, FEMA placed the employee on leave for making what they called "revolting and unconscionable" remarks.

Turning Point USA, the organization founded by Kirk, announced a memorial service scheduled for September 21 in a Phoenix suburb. The venue, a stadium with a capacity of over 63,000, reflects the anticipated turnout for the event.