Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett used a high-profile forum to call for strength, grace, and courage after the brutal killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, highlighting the remarkable forgiveness shown by his wife, Erika. Speaking at the Federalist Society dinner, Barrett and Justice Brett Kavanaugh urged law students and young conservatives not to be silenced by threats and to defend their principles while refusing to answer hatred with hatred.
Barrett told the audience she was moved by Erika Kirk’s response to unimaginable loss, noting how rare and consequential such a reaction is in a polarized moment. She emphasized that responses to political violence shape whether civic life becomes more dangerous or more resilient.
During the conversation Barrett said she was particularly struck by Erika Kirk’s act of forgiving her husband’s killer, and she pushed a clear message to the next generation of conservative legal thinkers. “Fighting poison with poison doesn’t work,” she said, and “leads to more poison.” She urged young people to avoid escalating cycles of anger that only deepen division.
Barrett also encouraged attendees to keep speaking up rather than retreating out of fear, telling students to “take the high road like Erika Kirk and show grace and strength in the face of hatred.” Her remarks answered a student question about how conservatives should navigate campus politics after the assassination, and they struck a chord with an audience worried about safety and free speech. The guidance was practical and moral: stand firm, speak clearly, and do not let violence or intimidation dictate the terms of debate.
Kavanaugh framed the issue as part of a broader pattern of threats against public servants, recalling recent plots and attacks that targeted judges and officials across the spectrum. He highlighted the real danger judges face and the need for a culture that protects debate and the rule of law rather than normalizing violence. That warning underlines how threats chill open discussion and undermine institutions everyone depends on.
Kavanaugh drew strength from faith and tradition, mentioning a Catholic hymn that has guided him through tense moments, and he offered a straightforward charge to the audience. “I think about that, the principle of ‘being not afraid,’ to make the right decision,” he told the crowd. “Be not afraid to stand up for your principles. Be not afraid to resist peer pressure. Be not afraid to pursue what you know is right, even when you’re going to get criticized for it,” he said.
The dinner was part of the Federalist Society’s Antonin Scalia Memorial event, and the conversation was moderated by U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden, a Trump appointee. Other senior legal figures were present, underscoring that this is not just a campus problem but a national concern for the legal community. Their presence reinforced the message that defending principles and personal safety are complementary, not contradictory.
Young conservatives in law schools and on campuses have expressed real anxiety about hosting controversial speakers and holding events that invite robust debate. “I think that’s something that struck us all deeply,” David Haungs, who leads the Federalist Society chapter at Yale, said, reflecting the widespread nervousness about political violence targeted at conservatives. That fear risks chilling speech and restricting the marketplace of ideas students need for a healthy democracy.
The officials at the dinner were blunt: courage and composure matter. Barrett and Kavanaugh’s remarks were an appeal to character as much as strategy, telling students and young lawyers to show resilience without succumbing to fear or retaliation. The tone was firm and principled, insisting conservatives can defend free expression and safety simultaneously while setting an example of dignity under pressure.
