Apologia Radio – The Assassination of Charlie Kirk (w/ Jon Root & Brad Geary)

Date: September 11, 2025
Host: Jeff Durbin
Guests: Jon Root (Turning Point USA contributor), Captain Brad Geary (retired military, security expert)

Overview & Purpose

This episode is a somber and urgent reflection on the recent public assassination of conservative figure Charlie Kirk while speaking at a Utah college. Host Jeff Durbin is joined by close colleagues Jon Root and Captain Brad Geary to process the tragedy, honor Kirk’s life and witness, examine issues of violence, public discourse, and security, and offer pastoral counsel for navigating the culture’s escalating tensions in a faithful, gospel-driven way.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Immediate Reactions and Personal Impact

• Jeff Durbin begins with the reading of Romans 12:14-21, emphasizing Christian responses to evil: “Bless those who persecute you…do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (02:25)

• The loss of Charlie Kirk is described as shocking and harrowing. Both Root and Geary share stories of their connection to Kirk and the impact he’s had on their personal faith and public witness.

  “Charlie gave me an amazing opportunity…he is known as a bold Christ follower…that’s the best way you can ever be remembered.” — Jon Root (05:34–07:44)

  “It feels like losing a family member…He challenged people towards civil discourse…one of the most brilliant minds of this generation.” — Capt. Brad Geary (13:09)

2. Kirk’s Legacy & Final Words

• Clips are played of Kirk’s own testimony on how he wished to be remembered:

  “I want to be remembered for courage, for my faith. That would be the most important thing.” — [Charlie Kirk, video] (11:44)

• His last public statement before the shooting is lauded for its focus on Christ:

  “Jesus Christ was a real person. He lived a perfect life. He was crucified, died, and rose on the third day.” — [Charlie Kirk, video] (12:29)

• The universality of Kirk’s impact is noted, with sympathies poured in from across political and religious spectrums (including alleged support from athletes Justin Jefferson, Josh Allen, and James Hetfield of Metallica—though unconfirmed).

3. Security, Culture, and Violence

• The team examines how such an incident was even possible:

  • Open campus, unrestricted access, lack of metal detectors, logistical limitations of non-presidential security teams (24:27–26:28).
  • High-level insights from Geary on the difficulties of securing “fishbowl” environments (public quads): “You’re on the defensive…And you have finite resources…for all the things you cover, the enemy only needs to get lucky once.” (28:39, 31:31)
  • The importance of the “high ground” and practical constraints (32:03).

• The cultural critique: a society awash in passive bystanders, digital voyeurs, and risk-averse “armchair quarterbacks” who do not intervene in moments of crisis:

  “So many people in our culture, especially men, have just…they're cowards. They’d rather have it on video for TikTok…” — Jeff Durbin (36:46)

4. Justice vs. Retaliation

• Biblical basis and governance:

  • All agree that justice must be swift and public, with clear support for the death penalty in cases of premeditated murder (39:10–41:48).
  • Yet, there's an explicit rejection of mob violence or vengeance.

  “I’m actually all in favor of going back to public executions…That’s how it used to be, and that’s how it should be…You have a chance to get right with the Lord before we take your life.” — Jeff Durbin (39:53–40:54)

5. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On faith and legacy:

  "The best testimony—the best way you can ever be remembered." — Jon Root (07:44)

• “He sowed words. If we stand on anything as Americans, words should never be responded to with violence.” — Capt. Brad Geary (13:09)

• “This isn’t a time to shrink away…It’s just a new type of warfare…apply it to spiritual warfare.” — Capt. Brad Geary (18:52)

• Trump’s statement:

  “Charlie was a giant of his generation, a champion of liberty…I’m pleased to announce I will award Charlie Kirk posthumously the Presidential Medal of Freedom.” — Donald Trump (20:32)

• On resisting escalation:

  “Don’t take the bait…We have a righteous reason to be angry, but we should not repay evil with evil.” — Jeff Durbin (44:56)

• “Fake tough guys online…They want to talk big…But I guarantee you, you go through a few of the drills Brad’s gone through—you’re no longer a tough guy.” — Jon Root (45:39–46:19)

6. Culture of Depravity and Public Response

• The hosts condemn those celebrating the murder—especially high-profile media personalities who justified or downplayed the violence (“maybe a supporter was shooting for joy”—MSNBC, 49:28) and the disturbing emergence of “fake alphas” on both sides using the tragedy to incite violence or self-aggrandize.

• They emphasize, again, that Kirk’s “civil discourse” legacy is antithetical to this mob mentality (47:21).

• Clips are played of people admitting their support for Kirk’s assassination. The hosts urge Christians not to mirror the left’s bloodlust.

• Geary’s call: “We should not tolerate language that says words are violence. Words are necessary; civil discourse is necessary. Words do not justify violence.” (64:01)

7. Encouragement in the Gospel & Revival

• Durbin encourages listeners to pray not for retaliation but for revival and gospel impact out of tragedy.
• There is tangible evidence that Kirk’s testimony is stirring spiritual reflection among listeners, including some professing interest in going to church (66:18).

Timeline of Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment/Highlight | |-----------|--------------------------------------------------------------| | 02:25 | Romans 12 exhortation; show's heavy purpose | | 05:34 | Jon Root recounts personal/family impact of Charlie Kirk | | 07:44 | Kirk’s stated wish to be remembered as courageous in faith | | 12:29 | Kirk’s final public words (gospel declaration) | | 13:09 | Brad Geary on the loss: “feels like losing a family member” | | 20:32 | Trump’s formal public eulogy & Presidential Medal of Freedom | | 24:27–32:36| Discussion of security protocols and vulnerabilities | | 39:10–41:48| Debate on the death penalty and biblical limits | | 44:56 | Counsel: “Don’t take the bait” (resisting mob violence) | | 47:49 | Geary: “To use his name to justify violence is hijacking his movement.” | | 49:28 | MSNBC’s controversial coverage example | | 55:01 | The murderous culture and bloodlust in modern society | | 64:01 | Geary on the misuse of “words are violence” rhetoric | | 66:38 | Gospel legacy: listeners expressing desire to know Jesus |

Tone & Language

• The speakers are candid, grieving, and sober—reflecting a mix of personal loss, anger at unlawful violence, love for the gospel, and deep pastoral concern.
• There are moments of gallows humor, but mostly the tone is earnest, exhortative, and direct.
• The show is grounded in scripture, appeals to justice, and consistently circles back to the Christian imperative to overcome evil by doing good.

Closing Takeaways

• Charlie Kirk’s remembered legacy: Courage and public witness for Christ supersede political advocacy.
• Reject mob justice: True followers of Christ are called to seek justice within the rule of law, without mirroring the culture of violence.
• Spiritual warfare: The greatest enemy is not flesh and blood but spiritual—be emboldened for gospel witness, not physical retaliation.
• Don’t take the bait: Avoid escalating violence and rhetoric; press for civil discourse and gospel clarity.
• Pray for revival: Out of tragedy, there is an opening for repentance, personal transformation, and national renewal.
• Pray for the family: Special focus on interceding for Kirk’s wife, Erica, and their children.

For more, listen to the full episode and check out continuing content from Apologia Radio.