Charlie Kirk’s wife Erika says at memorial service she forgives husband's killer

The public memorial honoring Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old conservative youth activist who was assassinated during an event at a Utah college, is underway on Sunday at State Farm Stadium in Glendale with a lineup of high-profile guests in attendance including President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.

Organizers said about 100,000 people were in attendance at the event, including an overflow area.

The program began at 11am local time. 

Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, will be taking over as CEO of the organization her husband co-founded, Turning Point USA (TPUSA).

During the service, Erika said her husband's killer should be forgiven.

"I forgive him," Erika Kirk said. "I forgive him because it was what Christ did and what Charlie would do. The answer to hate is not hate. The answer we know from the gospel is love, and always love — love for our enemies and love for those who persecute us."

She noted that rioting did not occur after her husband was assassinated.

 "After Charlie's assassination, we didn't see violence. We didn't see rioting. We didn't see revolution. Instead, we saw what my husband always prayed he would see in this country — we saw revival."

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard described Kirk as “fearless” for directly engaging with those who do not share the same views. 

“By trying to silence Charlie, his voice is now louder than ever,” Gabbard said. 

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Kirk proved him wrong about bringing a conservative message to college campuses.

“I was skeptical. I said, ‘College campuses, you’re going to do that? Why don’t you start somewhere easier, like Communist Cuba?'” Rubio said. “But my skepticism was proven wrong.”

Rubio said Kirk had a "very special and direct impact on young men" in the U.S. 

“That is one of the greatest developments I’ve seen. That is very positive. I think we remember him for that,” he said.

The arena is home to the Arizona Cardinals football team and Grammy Award-winning recording artist Taylor Swift kicked off her Eras tour at the same venue. 

The U.S. Secret Service led a heavy security operation for the event, with some comparing it to Super Bowl-level protection. 

On Saturday, an armed man was arrested at the venue after reportedly claiming he was law enforcement. Later, TPUSA said the man was part of a private advance security team for a known guest.