Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., accused President Donald Trump of exploiting the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
"Those who break the law, of course, resort to any source of violence ought to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," Schumer said. "But using the tragic death of Charlie Kirk as an excuse to supercharge the political witch hunt against critics is abhorrent, obnoxious and as un-American as it gets."
"To attack civil society, whether it's Jimmy Kimmel, civil society organizations or the Trump administration's perceived political enemies, its crusade is unending," he continued. "And this is one of the saddest parts of all, because of congressional Republicans' obeisance to Trump, it's unchecked because they are scared to stand up to Trump."
BONDI 'HATE SPEECH' REMARKS SPARK TORRENT OF CRITICISM FROM CONSERVATIVES
President Donald Trump walks to Air Force One at Morristown Airport on Sept. 14, 2025, in Morristown, New Jersey. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Their legislative push also comes after Attorney General Pam Bondi said earlier this week that the administration would "go after you if you are targeting anyone with hate speech."
Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., called her comments "bone chilling."
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"The shooting of Charlie Kirk was a national tragedy," he said. "It should have been a line in the sand, an opportunity for President Trump to bring this country together to do whatever is necessary to stamp out political violence that's targeted both Republicans and Democrats, political violence that emanates from both right-wing and left-wing radicalization."
"But Trump and his lieutenants are choosing a different path," he continued. "They are choosing to exploit this tragedy, to weaponize the federal government to destroy Donald Trump's political opposition."
Fox News Digital reached out to the White House and Justice Department for comment but did not immediately hear back.
Alex Miller is a writer for Fox News Digital covering the U.S. Senate.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/schumer-accuses-trump-exploiting-charlie-kirks-death-launch-political-witch-hunt