Charlie Kirk’s assassination has forced a brutal trade-off: political figures must now decide how much public access to risk — and security teams are scrambling to redesign events, move things indoors, fly drones, post rooftop spotters and urge the public to “see something, say something” because the bad actors only have to get it right once.
The killing of Charlie Kirk has put politicians and their protectors in an agonizing spot: they must balance open access to voters with the real danger of politically motivated attacks. Several campaigns and political groups have already canceled events, and, with midterms approaching, candidates will increasingly face the dilemma of whether to stay visible or stay safe. Former Secret Service special agent Rob Savage warned that the environment has become intensely “politically charged.”
Kirk was shot from an elevated position at an outdoor event at Utah Valley University — an attack reminiscent of last year’s attempt on former President Trump at an outdoor rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Security experts told CNN that moving events indoors is a common immediate response, but cautioned that threats can show up anywhere and there’s no one-size-fits-all fix.
Caleb Gilbert, who runs an executive protection firm for high-net-worth clients, said Kirk’s death is a stark example of vulnerability: teams can stack guards, gates and intelligence perfectly for years, but an adversary only needs one successful attempt. That asymmetry makes every protection plan a high-stakes exercise.
Assassinations and attempts recently have occurred in many settings — rallies, golf courses, homes, practices and grocery stores. Threats now target not just national figures but local officials, school board members, judges, influencers and their families. Princeton’s Bridging Divides Initiative recorded a year-to-date rise in threats against local officials, and experts say similar trends are emerging at state and federal levels.
Some prominent figures have already canceled events: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Ruben Gallego called off weekend appearances; conservative commentator Ben Shapiro postponed a book signing. Organizers are paying attention — funding for security has increased for some lawmakers after previous deadly attacks — and many potential candidates are legitimately fearful, according to organizers and advocates.
A lot of protection work is preventative: security teams analyze incoming threats, rank their severity and investigate whether those who made threats are capable of acting on them. Joshua Sinai, an intelligence expert, noted killers often leak intent to friends, family or online communities — comments others shrug off can be deadly serious — which is why tip lines and vigilance matter.
“See something, say something” proved crucial: the suspect in Kirk’s killing, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, was located after his father recognized him in FBI-released photos and alerted authorities — a reminder that community reporting can be decisive.
Security teams are now more focused on elevated vantage points outside secured perimeters. Protection firms may deploy discreet counter-sniper spotters to scan rooftops, and many have long used drones for wide views of outdoor venues. Experts stress these measures must be integrated into a full protective advance; drones and spotters help identify anomalies but are not foolproof on their own.
Protective professionals must prepare for a shifting array of dangers — bombings, arson, rammings, cyberattacks and targeted shootings. Long-range sniper-style attacks, once rare since the 1960s, have reemerged in this polarized era and now form part of a broader spectrum of politically motivated violence.
