The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has placed a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) employee on administrative leave after he mocked President Donald Trump’s order to lower American flags to half-staff in honor of Charlie Kirk.
Kirk, a prominent conservative activist, was brutally assassinated on Wednesday in Utah.
Gavin Sylvia, a data analyst who joined FEMA in November 2024, smeared Kirk as a “racist homophobe” while questioning the president’s directive.
In an Instagram post, Sylvia wrote:
“Half staff for the literal racist homophobe misogynist.”
FEMA, DHS Condemn Employee’s Remarks
“This employee’s words are revolting and unconscionable,” a FEMA spokesperson said in a statement.
“Celebrating the death of a fellow American is appalling, unacceptable, and sickening.
“Such behavior does not reflect the values of public service, and it will not be tolerated among individuals entrusted to work at FEMA.”
DHS sources also told Fox News that Sylvia’s remarks were “disgraceful” and said he had “no place” within the department or the federal government.
Sylvia’s suspension comes as federal agencies have begun monitoring employee social media posts related to Kirk’s assassination.
Other Agencies Respond
The Department of War warned that it had “zero tolerance” for military personnel or civilian staff who celebrate or mock the murder of any American.
Assistant to the Secretary of War Sean Parnell posted on X:
“It is unacceptable for military personnel and Department of War civilians to celebrate or mock the assassination of a fellow American.”
The U.S. Coast Guard also emphasized that endorsing Kirk’s assassination or slandering his name online is “contrary to our core values.”
One senior Trump administration official told Fox News that federal leaders were disgusted by those cheering Kirk’s death online.
“Imagine being so unbelievably useless in life that your response to the death of a man who has, through sheer force of will and belief in Christ, reshaped the American political landscape is to mock his assassination,” the official said.
“These are weak people, with weak minds, saying weak things.”
Kirk, 31, a father of two, was shot dead by a sniper on Wednesday afternoon.
He was gunned down while speaking at Utah Valley University.
The killer remains at large as the FBI and local law enforcement continue their manhunt.
The FEMA employee’s disgraceful comments echo those of radical Democrat Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN).
Omar mocked tributes to Kirk’s legacy and laughed off claims that his mission was rooted in civil political discourse.
During an interview, Omar sneered at supporters who praised Kirk’s debates as civil and constructive, calling them “full of s***” and branding his views “f***ed up.”
Her remarks came less than 24 hours after Kirk’s assassination, intensifying anger over the pattern of Democrats and public officials downplaying, or even ridiculing, the targeted killing of one of the most prominent conservative voices in America.
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