GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — Gwinnett County’s sheriff is facing criticism for comments he made on his personal Facebook page following the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
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Sheriff Keybo Taylor expressed condolences to Kirk’s family but also criticized Kirk’s actions, leading to backlash from critics who questioned the timing and tone of his remarks.
Justice Nwaigwe, Gwinnett County GOP Chairman, said people mourning Kirk’s death were upset by the comments.
“When you have a public leader that is tasked with bringing people together in a force of unity and they take the opportunity to use their personal views and spend their personal beliefs to the public, it’s just disappointing,” Nwaigwe told Channel 2 Gwinnett County Bureau Chief Matt Johnson.
Taylor opted not to comment on the response to his post.
Some came to his defense online, writing “ironic that those claiming Charlie Kirk was assassinated for exercising his free speech right don’t want free speech for anyone who did not agree with him.”
“I would like to see him take some kind of accountability and owe the public an apology for his choice of words and especially his timing,” Nwaigwe said.
The post appears to have been made private or taken down on Facebook. The full statement read:
First of all this is not a political post. This is a human dignity post. In no way do I ever condone violence in regards to one’s political stance. I truly feel and pray for Charlie Kirk’s wife and children. However if you support the actions of Kirk, do me a favor. Unfriend me.
Leaders are place (sic) in a position to lead. When you have a leader at the top who refuses to lead for ALL the people regardless if we disagree, then that is not leadership. I was elected to be the Sheriff of Gwinnett County. Regardless if you voted for me or not. That is my job and the oath that I swore to. As a leader we are afforded opportunities to lead. Never before have I seen a person who uses every opportunity to stroke the fires of hate such as this. Today a number of HBUC (sic) had to cancel classes for fear of retaliation due to the actions of others that had nothing to do with the tragedy that occurred yesterday. I am disturbed by this. God allowed me this opportunity to serve in this capacity. Rest assured I will do my job to the best of my abilities to keep the people under my responsibility safe.
But in the end we ALL will have to give account of our actions. I’m sure God will not care about what party we identify with.
I believe in the higher power to get us through this.
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