Utah Governor Spencer Cox eased nationwide anxiety over the manhunt for the fugitive accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk with just three words Friday: 'We got him.'
Less than 48 hours after Wednesday’s shocking attack, and following the identification of the 22-year-old suspect, two-term Republican Governor Spencer Cox spoke with urgency about the gravity of the incident, emphasizing the need for calm and restraint in its aftermath.
“The problem with political violence is it metastasizes, because we can always point the finger at the other side," the governor said, "And at some point we have to find an off ramp, or it's going to get much, much worse.”
Cox’s voice cracked with emotion as he confessed to the anger and sorrow he felt—emotions mirrored by many who had seen the harrowing videos of the attack circulating on social media this week. During the manhunt, the governor had reminded Utahns that the state permits capital punishment and pledged to hold the suspect fully accountable under the law.
Cox has long championed civility in politics, even as his Republican Party holds a commanding grip on Utah, controlling all congressional seats and both chambers of the state legislature.
On Friday, the governor spoke directly to young Americans, a clear acknowledgment of Kirk’s political group, Turning Point USA, which is active on college campuses and has been instrumental in fostering a budding conservative movement among youth who, by large margins, continue to lean Democratic.
“To my young friends out there: you are inheriting a country where politics feels like rage. It feels like rage is the only option, but through those words, we have a reminder that we can choose a different path," Cox said. "Your generation has an opportunity to build a culture that is very different than what we are suffering through right now. Not by pretending differences don't matter, but by embracing our differences and having those hard conversations."
Cox, 50, is a father of four, a practicing member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and a former lieutenant governor of Utah.
Like fellow Utahn and former U.S. Senator Mitt Romney, Cox has long been regarded as a moderate Republican. Last year, he diverged from many in his party by signaling stronger state-level support for Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression.
Following the July 2024 assassination attempt on Donald Trump during the campaign trail, Cox endorsed the former president for the first time. Critics in the state, including Brian King, his Democratic opponent in last year’s gubernatorial race, called the endorsement a capitulation to Trump. Cox, however, maintained that his support was intended as a stand against political violence.
[1/3]Utah Governor Spencer Cox speaks at a press conference after U.S. right-wing activist, commentator, Charlie Kirk, an ally of U.S. President Donald Trump, was fatally shot during an event at Utah Valley University, in Orem, Utah, U.S. September 10, 2025. REUTERS/Jim Urquhart/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
“Mr. President, I know we have some differences and you probably don’t like me much. And that’s OK. I get it,” Cox wrote to Trump in the endorsement letter, opens new tab last year, “Your life was spared. Now, because of that miracle, you have the opportunity to do something that no other person on earth can do right now: unify and save our country.”
SEEN AS A 'STATESMAN'
Cox’s measured tone this week came as little surprise to fellow political leaders who have worked closely with him.
“I think he’s been brilliant and I’m not surprised for one second,” said New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, a Democrat who recently served alongside Cox in the leadership of the National Governors Association.
In a Friday interview, Murphy called Cox a "statesman," comparing his handling of this week’s events to that of former U.S. Senator Robert Kennedy, who in 1968 addressed a predominantly Black audience in Indianapolis to announce the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.
At the time, Kennedy called for an end to violence and appealed for "love and wisdom," quoting the ancient Greek poet Aeschylus: "In our sleep, pain which cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart until, in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom through the awful grace of God."
“You need leaders to be calm, resolute, not pointing fingers or blaming others, and pleading with fellow citizens to choose peace over violence,” Murphy said about Cox, “I love the guy and I’m incredibly proud of him, especially this week.”
Cox’s measured, fact-based updates in the aftermath of the shooting stood in stark contrast to responses from some Republican lawmakers and former President Trump, who on Thursday told reporters it was time to "beat the hell" out of the "radical left."
"Every life taken is a child of God," Cox said Friday, making a heartfelt appeal while referencing the namesake of Kirk’s organization, Turning Point USA.
“History will dictate if this is a turning point for our country, but every single one of us gets to choose right now, if this is a turning point for us, we get to make decisions. We have our agency,” Cox said.
