House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries gave a brief response when asked why he skipped the vigil for Charlie Kirk.
“I had a meeting,” Jeffries told reporters Tuesday during a press conference.
Vigil in the Capitol
House Speaker Mike Johnson announced the vigil on Monday.
It was held that evening in Statuary Hall at the Capitol.
The event honored conservative activist Charlie Kirk, assassinated last week.
Dozens of Republican lawmakers attended the service.
Only a handful of Democrats joined their GOP colleagues.
Democratic Attendance
Fox News reported that just seven House Democrats were present.
Those included Tom Suozzi of New York and Debbie Dingell of Michigan.
Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington and John Larson of Connecticut also attended.
Jimmy Panetta of California and Chris Pappas of New Hampshire were seen there.
Don Davis of North Carolina rounded out the small Democratic group.
Absent were Jeffries and other top House Democratic leaders.
Jeffries Responds
Pressed about the low turnout, Jeffries gave little explanation.
“I don’t know,” he said when asked why Democrats stayed away.
‘I HAD A MEETING’: House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries gives a four-word excuse for why he was among the many elected Democrats not to attend the congressional vigil for Charlie Kirk. pic.twitter.com/T3quzOfIwN
— Fox News (@FoxNews) September 17, 2025
He suggested individual members had other commitments.
Reporters noted his own four-word excuse stood out.
Republicans called the vigil a show of unity despite divisions.
Johnson Downplays Division
Speaker Johnson said he did not focus on who showed up.
He said he was glad the vigil was bipartisan in nature.
Mike Johnson
Johnson added that he wished more Democrats had attended.
He said he could not speculate on their absence.
The speaker noted similar bipartisan vigils had been held before.
Broader Context
Kirk’s assassination stunned conservatives and led to nationwide memorials.
Republicans have highlighted bipartisan support for honoring his legacy.
Critics said Democrats missed an opportunity to show respect.
Jeffries’s curt answer fueled frustration among conservative observers.
The debate underscored the partisan divide even in moments of mourning.
