Camas resident Anna Miller shares the published reactions of President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance after the Charlie Kirk assassination

Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are those of the author alone and may not reflect the editorial position of ClarkCountyToday.com

These are the reflections of Conrad Black, published in The Epoch Times, following a solemn moment in the White House Oval Office. Mr. Black was present when President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance received the devastating news of Charlie Kirk’s assassination.

As Black notes, the liberal media has been quick to cast aspersions, working overtime to suggest, as he puts it, “ungenerous imputations of motive to both men.” Yet his firsthand account offers a stark contrast to those narratives.

Here is an excerpt from Mr. Black’s remarks:

“Given the uncharitable speculation surrounding the motives of both men in their public statements in the days that followed, I feel compelled to emphasize that neither the president nor the vice president expressed anything but sorrow over the loss of their friend. Their thoughts were with Charlie Kirk’s wife, family, and close associates, and their demeanor reflected a calm, profound concern over the rising tide of violence in our country.

“Not a single word was vengeful, partisan, or even ill-tempered. Both men were exemplary, indeed quietly inspiring in their singular focus on the tragic, premature death of a gifted ally and their shared alarm at the growing normalization of political violence in America and across the Western world.

“The only mention of political consequence came from me, when I suggested that such a horrific event might serve to sober public discourse and discourage further violence. This was met with a non-committal response.

“Americans of all political stripes should take comfort in knowing that, in a moment of profound grief and national significance, the president and vice president were guided solely by compassion for the bereaved and concern for the country. It was my solemn privilege to witness this. Their spontaneous grace and generosity did not erase the sorrow of the occasion, but they did, in some measure, soften its sting.”  – Conrad Black

Anna Miller
Camas

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