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A former Australian political strategist warned Thursday that Charlie Kirk's assassination at a Utah university campus represents a dangerous escalation in political violence that could spread internationally, calling the killing a symptom of broader radicalization targeting young minds on college campuses.
Jeroen Finkelstein, who served as advisor to former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, told Sky News AM Agenda that Kirk's death Wednesday during a campus debate highlights how "bad actors have worked out" that university campuses are where "young minds are forming their views."
"It is a form of radicalization," Finkelstein said during the live television interview. "You only have to persuade and talk to 100 people with crazy ideas, and it only takes one to take it too far. And that's potentially what's happened here."
Kirk, 31, was fatally shot by a single bullet Wednesday while taking questions during an outdoor event at Utah Valley University. The CEO and co-founder of conservative youth organization Turning Point USA was discussing mass shootings when an unidentified gunman fired from a campus rooftop. Utah Governor Spencer Cox called the killing a "political assassination."
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The House of Representatives held a moment of silence Thursday morning for Kirk, with Speaker Mark Johnson leading members in prayer for the slain activist and his family.
Finkelstein's comments came as law enforcement agencies continued searching for Kirk's killer. A person of interest was taken into custody but later released after questioning, according to FBI Director Kash Patel. Utah authorities said the shooter wore dark clothing and fired from a campus building approximately 140 yards from where Kirk was speaking
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The political strategist warned that Australia faces similar risks of imported political violence, citing recent incidents involving foreign interference.
"We know very recently that there was a foreign regime who was trying to do all sorts of things here in Australia," Finkelstein told interviewer Laura Jayes. "We had to expel the Iranian ambassador because our intelligence and security forces were able to work out that they were behind it. And remember, they were burning synagogues, homes."
Kirk's assassination marks the latest in a series of political attacks in the United States this year, including the killing of a Democratic Minnesota state lawmaker and her husband in June and the fatal shooting of two Israeli embassy staffers in Washington in May.
The conservative activist had been conducting his "American Comeback Tour" at colleges nationwide, featuring his signature "Prove Me Wrong Table" format where he fielded questions from students, including those who disagreed with his views. The Utah Valley University event had drawn more than 3,000 attendees and nearly 1,000 signatures on an online petition calling for the university to bar Kirk from appearing.
Finkelstein emphasized that Kirk "wasn't fomenting civil unrest" but rather engaging in campus debate, making the location of his assassination particularly concerning.
"Time and time again, America proves that university campuses are among the unsafest places in America," the interviewer noted. "They should be the safest. They are not."
"That's really well put. There should be places of ideas, a contest of ideas, a place where we learn," Finkelstein responded.
The political expert said the assassination raises fundamental questions about political discourse in democratic societies.
"There's a bigger question here as well. Charlie Kirk had a lot of views that many people may not have agreed with, but he wasn't fomenting civil unrest," Finkelstein said. "So the question is, how are we working out how to disagree with each other?"
He referenced Morrison's approach to political disagreement, saying the former prime minister "used to have a good way of putting it. We all have to learn in politics to disagree better."
"Why is it that we resort, why is there so much radicalization in the body politic in politics that people think it's okay to resort to murder?" Finkelstein asked.
The strategist warned that political violence could spread beyond the United States if democratic societies fail to address underlying causes of radicalization.
"We have to be really conscious of what other people who bear us ill will are trying to do on Australian campuses," he said.
Finkelstein contrasted the security environment in Australia with that of the United States, noting that Australian political leaders can still walk streets without bulletproof protection.
"We don't have to have our leaders behind bulletproof glass giving speeches. They can walk down any street in any electorate," he said. "We've got to be really careful not to import that kind of politics here."
The interview also touched on domestic Australian politics, with Finkelstein defending Liberal Party leader Susan Lee's decision to remove Jacinta Price from the front bench over controversial comments about Indian migrants.
"She was ultimately sacked because she wasn't being a team player," Finkelstein said. "She refused to apologize. Not good."
He suggested Price could return to leadership roles if she demonstrates better team discipline, saying she "has talent, without a doubt."
Kirk's death prompted bipartisan condemnation from political figures across the spectrum. Former President Barack Obama called the killing "despicable," while Vice President JD Vance wrote "Dear God, protect Charlie in his darkest hour." President Donald Trump, who announced Kirk's death on social media, praised him as understanding "the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than" anyone.
The conservative activist had built Turning Point USA from a small campus organization into a major force in Republican politics, particularly among young voters. He was a close Trump ally who helped mobilize youth support during the 2016 and 2024 presidential campaigns.
University police chief Jeff Long said six officers were working the event and had coordinated with Kirk's security team. Students reported seeing no metal detectors or bag checks at the outdoor venue.
The FBI's Salt Lake City office has created an online form for the public to submit information about the shooting. Utah Valley University canceled classes and evacuated the campus following the incident.
Kirk leaves behind a wife and two young children. Flowers have been placed outside Turning Point USA's Phoenix headquarters, where flags fly at half staff.
The assassination occurred on the 24th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, prompting increased security measures for commemorative events in New York City, where Vice President Vance is scheduled to attend memorial ceremonies.
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