“It ain’t right,” Democrat Commissioner Roderick Miles said of Tarrant County Republican commissioners honoring Charlie Kirk Tuesday morning.
Republican Commissioner Matt Krause presented the recognition commemorating the life of Kirk, who was assassinated at a Utah college campus on Sept. 10, 2025. Kirk was a conservative commentator who founded Turning Point USA to get young people involved in politics.
Precinct 3 Commissioner Matt Krause presents a resolution honoring the life and legacy of Charlie Kirk on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026 in Fort Worth. Abigail Dollins Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Krause said when Kirk died, Krause’s oldest son, a college freshman at the time, was devastated. It wasn’t until then that Krause understood Kirk’s impact on students who needed his guidance, Krause said.
“And so, I thought it was only appropriate as we get close to the one-year anniversary of the assassination that took his life that we honor the work of Charlie Kirk, the ideals and legacy that he’s passed down,” Krause said.
The resolution states the county’s gratitude for his impact “on the lives of all residents of Tarrant County,” Texas and the country.
Miles and Democratic Commissioner Alisa Simmons said they were vehemently opposed to the resolution because it does not accurately represent the impact Kirk had on residents of color. Both noted that any sort of political violence is unacceptable.
Ideologies held by Kirk and others like him, Miles said, are the reason Black people have been violently murdered.
Precinct 1 Tarrant County Commissioner Roderick Miles Jr. speaks against a resolution honoring the life and legacy of Charlie Kirk on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026 in Fort Worth. Abigail Dollins Fort Worth Star-Telegram
After Kirk was assassinated, the Congressional Black Caucus put out a statement condemning political violence. It also stated its disagreement with many of Kirk’s beliefs such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 being a mistake, his denial of systemic racism’s existence, promotion of the Great Replacement theory and multiple offensive claims about various Black public figures.
“We are asked to honor the life of a man whose rhetoric did extreme harm to people of color is an affront to me and every Black person I know,” Miles said.
The resolution passed along party lines with Republicans Krause, Manny Ramirez and County Judge Tim O’Hare being in favor.
This story was originally published September 1, 2026 at 4:18 PM.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Rachel Royster is a news and government reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, specifically focused on Tarrant County. She joined the newsroom after interning at the Austin American-Statesman, the Waco Tribune-Herald and Capital Community News in DC. A Houston native and Baylor grad, Rachel enjoys traveling, reading and being outside. She welcomes any and all news tips to her email.