Charlie Kirk

from Ed Case Newsletter, Sept 16, 2025 (excerpt)

The premeditated murder of Charlie Kirk is about more than the senseless loss of a husband, father, friend and fellow citizen. It is about whether democracy as we’ve dreamed and largely known it can still work.

While we don’t know the full why, all indications are that Charlie Kirk was killed because he was exercising his rights to free belief and free speech. What he believed and said and how he was killed is not the issue. The issue is that the response to his beliefs and speech was violence.

Politically-motivated violence is not new to our country. Why is this one different?

Because it forces us all to face the stark reality that too much division and polarization and anger in our society matter. That how we express our beliefs and views matter. That it matters whether we treat our fellow citizens with whom we may disagree as enemies or as a national ‘ohana.

Like freedom, democracy is not free. It won’t just be there forever automatically, regardless of what we as fellow citizens say and do.

Democracy like freedom requires commitment and sacrifice for the common good, for today and the next generations. That means treating fellow citizens as one of our own, listening to views, considering different beliefs, and disagreeing with respect and consideration, not anger and violence. That is very hard today, but it’s the only way forward.

Charlie Kirk’s tragic death is unfortunately being twisted by some to match their own agendas. But all that really matters is that a fellow citizen was killed for expressing himself. That cannot be accepted, and we are all responsible not only for rejecting it, but for doing our part in our own speech and conduct to listen to views, consider different beliefs, and agree or disagree with respect and consideration.

I pledge that, as your U.S. Representative, directly representing over 720,000 fellow citizens from all walks of life with all different backgrounds, circumstances and beliefs, I will continue to try as hard as I can to do my part….

read … News Letter

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RESCHEDULED: JUDICIARY COMMITTEE TO HOST INFO BRIEFING WITH ED CASE

News Release from Senate Committee on Judiciary, Sept 19, 2025

HONOLULU – The Hawaiʻi State Senate Committee on Judiciary, chaired by Senator Karl Rhoads (Senate District 13 – Dowsett Highlands, Puʻunui, Nuʻuanu, Pacific Heights, Pauoa, Punchbowl, Pālama, Liliha, Iwilei, Chinatown, and Downtown), will be holding a third informational briefing to discuss the rule of law around recent actions by the Trump Administration. U.S. Representative Ed Case will be a featured guest.

View the Hearing Notice HERE

The World Justice Project defines the rule of law as “a durable system of laws, institutions, norms, and community commitment that delivers four universal principles: accountability, just law, open government, and accessible and impartial justice.” Recent presidential executive orders and policies raise questions about whether the current Administration is following federal law. This informational briefing will examine that question and what effect federal government actions are having on Hawaiʻi residents.

“The Committee is hosting Ed Case to gain insights on how the actions of the Trump Administration are impacting our nation and our State,” said Senator Rhoads. “The Trump Administration’s latest decisions are increasingly concerning and are causing negative effects on Hawaiʻi residents.”

AGENDA

1. Welcome and Introductions (10 mins)

2. U.S. Representative Ed Case, Hawaiʻi's First Congressional District (20 mins)

3. Questions from the Committee – 5 minutes per member for questions and answers

WHEN/WHERE

2:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 24, 2025

Conference Room 016 & Videoconference

Hawaiʻi State Capitol

415 South Beretania Street

Honolulu, HI 96813

As is normal with informational briefings, no public testimony will be accepted.

ACCESSIBILITY: For accommodations, please contact the committee clerk at (808) 587-7211 or email JDCCommittee@capitol.hawaii.gov. Requests made as early as possible have a greater likelihood of being fulfilled.

Photo ID is required for entry into the State Capitol building. Limited paid public parking is available at the Capitol; entrance is via Miller Street off Punchbowl. Additional public parking is available in Lot V (Vineyard Garage on Punchbowl); Lot G (Kalanimoku Building on Beretania & Punchbowl); and Lot L (Kinau Hale Building on Punchbowl).

This informational briefing is part of a series of informational briefings on the rule of law in relation to the recent actions of the Trump Administration and how its decisions are impacting Hawaiʻi.

Information about past and upcoming briefings can be accessed on the Senate Judiciary Committee webpage HERE

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