Security is being ramped up in Arizona as Americans gather for a massive memorial service honoring conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was killed in a shooting earlier this month.
The event, organized by Turning Point USA (TPUSA), will take place Sunday at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, with crowds expected to top 100,000 attendees, according to organizers.
The gathering will feature appearances from President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Donald Trump Jr., political commentator Tucker Carlson, and senior Trump adviser Stephen Miller, among others.
Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, who recently stepped into his role as TPUSA’s CEO, is also scheduled to speak.
Authorities have described the security operation as “TSA-level”, comparable to what is seen at major national events like the Super Bowl.
A senior Department of Homeland Security official confirmed the memorial has been given one of the highest security classifications.
The 31-year-old activist and founder of TPUSA was shot dead on September 10 while speaking at a Utah university.
His killing has deepened political tensions across the country, with officials warning of the risk of further violence.
Utah’s governor said the accused shooter, Tyler Robinson, 22, expressed “leftist ideology,” though investigators have not yet confirmed a motive.
Shell casings with anti-fascist slogans were recovered at the scene, but the meaning of those messages remains unclear.
Despite the somber occasion, the memorial is being framed as a show of resilience. A large banner outside the venue reads: “They killed the messenger, but they can’t kill the message.”
Doors to the stadium will open at 8 a.m. local time, with the main program beginning at 11 a.m. Guests are encouraged to wear red, white, or blue in honor of Kirk’s legacy.
State Farm Stadium seats roughly 63,000 people, and an additional 20,000-seat overflow area has been designated for those unable to enter.
For those watching from home, TPUSA confirmed the event will be live-streamed on Charlie Kirk’s Rumble channel.
Security concerns heightened on Friday when Secret Service agents detained a man acting suspiciously near the venue.
According to CBS, the man was armed and falsely claimed to be a law enforcement officer. He was arrested for impersonating an officer and carrying a weapon in a restricted area but later released on bond.
TPUSA later clarified that the man was a private security consultant scouting the area for a known guest and that there was no immediate threat.
TPUSA spokesperson Andrew Kolvet assured the public that every precaution is being taken:
“We do not believe this individual had malicious intent, but the advance was not properly coordinated with TPUSA security or the Secret Service. The site is now fully locked down.”
