TV anchor Beni Rae Harmony resigns after being suspended for honoring Charlie Kirk on air. She says her choice was guided by faith, patriotism, and personal values.
The fallout from the tragic death of Charlie Kirk has taken another dramatic turn, this time in the world of broadcast journalism.
Beni Rae Harmony, a news anchor in Illinois, announced her resignation after claiming she was suspended for paying tribute to the conservative activist during a live broadcast.
Kirk, 31, was shot and killed on September 10 while speaking at an outdoor event at Utah Valley University. Authorities have since arrested 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, who they allege fired the fatal shot from a nearby rooftop.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox confirmed Robinson is in custody but has so far refused to cooperate with investigators.
“Guided by My Values”
On September 12, Harmony used her position at Springfield’s ABC affiliate WICS to call Kirk her “mentor and first boss” and encouraged viewers to stand firm in their beliefs. Shortly after, she was allegedly suspended by the station.
In a Facebook post announcing her resignation, Harmony explained that her faith and patriotism shaped her decision:
“This is guided by values that are essential to who I am, to which I refuse to set aside, in order to keep a job. I choose my faith, and love of country, and always will.”
She ended her message with:
“God Bless Our Troops. God Bless Our First Responders. And God Bless these United States of America.”
On Twitter, Harmony reiterated that she had been punished for honoring Charlie Kirk, contrasting her situation with others who faced backlash for mocking his death.
Backlash and Media Fallout
The killing of Charlie Kirk has deeply divided public opinion. Some critics who made negative remarks online have faced doxxing campaigns, with a site called Expose Charlie’s Murderers publishing the names of social media users accused of mocking the tragedy.
Effective immediately, I have resigned from @WICS_ABC20 after being SUSPENDED for airing a non-partisan tribute to Charlie Kirk this past Friday.
Many in the mainstream media have been fired or punished for mocking his assassination. I believe I am the first to be targeted for… pic.twitter.com/y41QOWDBl5
— Beni Rae Harmony (@BeniRaeHarmony) September 15, 2025
Media figures and professionals have also lost their jobs over comments related to Kirk’s assassination. MSNBC analyst Matthew Dowd was fired for remarks he later apologized for, while a doctor at Englewood Health was dismissed after celebrating Kirk’s death online.
Even Vice President JD Vance weighed in during a guest appearance on The Charlie Kirk Show, encouraging people to hold critics accountable:
“Call them out, and hell, call their employer. We don’t believe in political violence, but we do believe in civility.”
A Nation Still Shaken
The death of Charlie Kirk continues to spark national conversations about free speech, media responsibility, and political polarization.
If you or someone you know has been impacted by gun violence, resources are available at Survivors Empowered.
