SUPER Bowl-level security estimated to cost over $10 million is being put in place for Charlie Kirk’s funeral today.
The service, which is open to the public, is being held at the home of the Arizona Cardinals at the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
The funeral for Turning Point USA Founder Charlie Kirk is taking place in Arizona today[/caption]
Officer Mendez from the Glendale Police Department spoke to The U.S. Sun about the security preparations[/caption]
Federal agencies are collaborating with law enforcement down to city level to protect attendees at the event (stock)[/caption]
Doors will open at 8am local time (4pm BST), with the service due to start at 11am (7pm BST).
For events of such scale, law enforcement and federal agencies at all levels usually have years to prepare.
But the funeral, which will be attended by numerous officials of the highest level in the country, has had to be arranged in just over a week.
“It has been challenging, we can’t deny that,” Officer M. Mendez from the Glendale Police Department told The U.S. Sun.
But, thanks to constant multi-agency communication up to state and federal level, officials are more than ready.
“We’re prepared. We’re confident that we will be able to take care of any matters that arise and keep the public safe, all the attendees, and anyone that is in the area,” Officer Mendez said.
He noted that this extends to any protesters who are expected to attend which could spark tensions.
“We don’t know an exact number but we are expecting some people coming to protest, whatever their message is, whether it’s for or against this memorial service or what Charlie Kirk stands for, we don’t know, but we will be prepared.
“We have a specific team assigned and designated to take care of them and there will be an area designated for them.”
“We’ve been working non-stop with all our partnering agencies, but we have to do it, you know, it’s our duty, and we take pride in keeping our community safe,” he added.
On Friday night, a man impersonating law enforcement who was armed with a gun and a knife was detained by the Secret Service at the State Farm Stadium.
The man identified as Joshua Runkles, was “acting suspiciously” and impersonating law enforcement, officials said.
Kirk, a 31-year-old father and conservative political activist was killed on September 10, after being shot in the neck while speaking at a student debate event at Utah Valley University.
22-year-old Tyler Robinson was arrested as the suspect in the assassination, and he appeared in court for the first time this week as prosecutors asked for the death penalty.
On Tuesday, Senate Republicans were given a security briefing by the US Capitol Police and other officials, with agencies at all levels being on high alert ahead of the event.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed on Thursday that the service has a Level 1 Special Event Assessment Rating meaning it needs security similar to the Super Bowl or Boston marathon.
Kirk’s murder hit the MAGA camp especially hard, with the Turning Point USA founder being a close Trump ally.
As a result, his funeral is going to be attended by numerous high-profile elected officials, which will see many figures in the line of succession for the presidency all in the same space.
Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Speaker Mike Johnson, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard are all due to attend.
Other attendees include Tucker Carlson, Stephen Miller, and Sergio Gor.
Charlie Kirk Funeral Schedule
The funeral for Charlie Kirk, 31, who was assassinated at a student debate event at Utah Valley University on September 10 will be held at the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Sunday, September 21.
- 2 am: Officials expect attendees to start lining up to get into the stadium as it is a first-come, first-served system. (No camping allowed).
- 7 am: Free parking lot opens with carpooling highly recommended.
- 8 am: Doors open.
- 11 am : Service begins and will be livestreamed via The Charlie Kirk Show on Rumble.
- Speeches are expected to be given by:
– Erika Kirk
– President Donald Trump
– JD Vance - Worship by:
– Chris Tomlin
– Brandon Lake
– Phil Wickham
– Kari Jobe Carnes
– Cody Carnes
“It is sort of unbelievable,” Former FBI agent Brad Garrett told KTAR News of the lengthy list of high-profile officials all being in the same space – especially when politcial tensions are so high.
“None of them are going to show up en masse in one vehicle,” he added.
“There will be security details to get them to the building, get them to their seats, they will be their security wherever they are sitting, and that will go on to every one of the important people mentioned, and there are a lot more.
“If you were the agent in charge of that event, being tense on Sunday is an understatement.”
Officer Mendez told The U.S. Sun how the city’s experience of hosting three Super Bowls and a host of other major events such as concerts has given them key experience in such matters.
“We have that experience. We have that skeletal structure that allows us to have a great idea of how things will play out,” he said.
“This one might be a little different just because of all the dignitaries that are coming and attending this memorial service,” he added, but insisted they are more than prepared.
In terms of the wider security arrangement, Garrett said that security will be extremely tight with all attendees forced to go through checkpoints and scanners.
He added that the stadium’s retractable roof will be closed, and there will be plenty of countermeasures in place, including sniper units and biochemical teams on standby near the venue.
Officials of the highest-level are due to attend the service including Trump, JD Vance, Marco Rubio, and Pete Hegseth[/caption]
Glendale Police expect over 100,000 members of the public to arrive in the city over the weekend for the service[/caption]
There will also be extensive intelligence and a command post made up of all federal, state, county and city agencies monitoring the situation in the run-up to and during the funeral.
Glendale PD has already warned that they expect over 100,000 people to descend on the city, located nine miles north of Phoenix.
Meanwhile, the capacity for the stadium itself is 63,000, with those hoping to attend being asked to register with Turning Point USA, providing their name, email, cell phone numbers, and zip codes.
Entry is based on a first-come, first-served system, meaning officials expect people to start gathering in the area in the early hours of Sunday morning, if not before.
An overflow is being established at the Desert Diamond Arena for those who can’t get in.
“It’s going to be quite the task, quite the responsibility that we have, but we’re going to be here for it,” Officer Mendez said.
Security details shared on the memorial website note that funeral attendees will not be able to bring bags into the venue and that “enhanced security measures are in place.”
“No bag policy in effect: Guests arriving with bags, even clear bags, will NOT be permitted entry,” it warns.
Security measures including drones, scanners, and an intelligence command center will be in force to keep people safe (stock)[/caption]
The stadium has a maximum capacity of 63,000 people[/caption]
“You will be required to return the bag to your vehicle and rejoin the line from the end.”
This guidance had been updated after previously saying there would be TSA-style screening, with only clear bags allowed no larger than 12″ by 6″.
Strollers will also not be allowed into the venue.
“Officers will be anywhere the eye can see, and in places it can’t,” Jose Santiago, public information officer for Glendale PD said in a statement.
The department confirmed to NewsNation that several hundred officers will be on foot and patrolling the venue, with some in plain clothes rather than uniforms.
Officers will also be deploying the use of drones to make aerial assessments of any security threats as well as using a real-time crime center as mentioned by Garrett.
The city police department will be overseeing external security as the Secret Service manages inside the stadium.
‘ATTRACTIVE TARGET’
It comes as Federal law enforcement agencies warned of “several threats” to the funeral, per a memo obtained by ABC News.
On Thursday, officials said they were “tracking several threats of unknown credibility” against attendees at Sunday’s service.
“Violent extremists and unaffiliated lone offenders may view the memorial service or related events as attractive attack targets due to the attendance of these individuals, other senior US government officials, state and local government officials, and political activists and due to major international media attention,” the memo issued by federal authorities including the FBI and DHS stated.
But there is currently no information indicating a credible threat to the event, officials said.
However, federal agents have been made aware of unverified threats, as well as possible political violence, especially regarding recent threats to political targets in Arizona.
Officer Mendez added that the Glendale Police Department is “actively monitoring any potential threats” but would not go into any details.
He did note that that all agencies involved in protecting the service, its attendees, and anyone else in the area, “have the upper hand” and are “committed to protecting everyone”.
Mendez urged anyone attending the service to abide by the no overnight camping policy, to listen to law enforcement, and to seek shade and stay hydrated in the humid weather.
“If you see anything, please make sure to say something abotu it and report it to local authorities,” he added.
Charlie Kirk leaves behind his wife Erika and their two young children[/caption]
Sniper teams will be in place as federal agents confirm they are already ‘tracking several threats’ though their credibility has not yet been determined (stock)[/caption]
William Mack, the Secret Service special agent in charge of the Phoenix field office, told the outlet that the Secret Service is acting as the federal coordinator for the event.
“Our teams are already on the ground in Phoenix and Glendale, working side-by-side with state, local, and federal partners,” Mack said.
“Together, we are fully committed to ensuring that these solemn events receive the comprehensive protection and support they require.”
“This is going to push the Secret Service to its limit. It’s all hands on deck – but there are multiple decks,” Jonathan Wackrow, a former US Secret Service agent told CNN.
He warned that the sudden concentration of such high security in one area will mean other key locations will be running on skeleton security, exposing them as targets.
“If you think that foreign entities aren’t watching that and looking for it, don’t be fooled. They are,” he said.
Charlie Kirk’s rise to hero of the youth MAGA movement
CHARLIE Kirk transformed conservative youth activism from a marginal movement into a powerful force before his assassination on a college campus at 31.
Kirk was an American conservative political activist, author, and media personality who rose to prominence as the co-founder of Turning Point USA (TPUSA).
He launched the organization in 2012 when he was just 18 years old, with the goal of promoting conservative principles to high school and college students and became a significant figure in American politics by building a massive grassroots network, framing himself as a “culture warrior.”
The rise of Turning Point USA
Turning Point USA’s mission was to counter what Kirk and his allies saw as liberal dominance on American college campuses.
It quickly grew to prominence through his use of provocative activism and viral social media campaigns.
They created watchlists of professors pushing leftist propaganda and organized events to debate students on controversial topics.
The strategy helped them gain a significant following and financial backing from wealthy conservative donors.
Kirk’s ability to connect with a new generation of conservatives was one of his most notable impacts.
He cultivated a style of political engagement that was heavily reliant on social media, podcasts, and confrontational public appearances.
His organization’s events, such as the annual Student Action Summit, drew thousands of young attendees and featured prominent conservative speakers, creating a new kind of political ecosystem for young people who felt alienated from traditional conservative groups.
A key ally of Donald Trump
Kirk also became a staunch supporter and ally of President Donald Trump.
He was the youngest speaker at the 2016 Republican National Convention and served as an aide to Donald Trump Jr. during the presidential campaign.
This relationship solidified his position within the Republican Party’s “MAGA” (Make America Great Again) wing, and his organization became an integral part of Trump’s political apparatus.
Through his popular podcast, “The Charlie Kirk Show,” and his frequent appearances on conservative media, Kirk was a powerful voice in the pro-Trump movement.
He often framed political issues as a “spiritual battle” between good and evil and championed a pugnacious, populist form of conservatism.
His influence was so significant that after Trump’s 2024 victory, Kirk was credited with helping to mobilize younger voters for the campaign.
Influence on culture and social issues
Beyond traditional politics, Kirk’s influence extended deeply into social and cultural issues.
He was a vocal opponent of “woke” ideology, particularly in education and media.
He promoted traditional values, often encouraging young women to prioritize becoming homemakers and mothers over professional careers.
Kirk also openly criticized programs related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
He was also a major proponent of Christian nationalism, arguing that there is no true separation of church and state in the United States.
The Turning Point Empire
Kirk’s activism led to the expansion of the Turning Point brand into a larger political and media empire.
He launched Turning Point Action, a political advocacy group focused on voter mobilization, and Turning Point Faith, aimed at engaging evangelical Christian communities in conservative politics.
These affiliated organizations allowed him to broaden his reach and influence beyond college campuses, into a more mainstream political force.
