ICYMI: Sen. Tim Sheehy: With the events of this September 11, it is time to heal

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 11, 2025

ICYMI: Sen. Tim Sheehy: With the events of this September 11, it is time to heal

Senator Tim Sheehy penned an op-ed in the Bozeman Daily Chronicle as the nation observes the 24^th anniversary of 9/11 and mourns the assassination of Charlie Kirk.

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Sen. Tim Sheehy: With the events of this September 11, it is time to heal

Senator Tim Sheehy

September 11, 2025

Bozeman Daily Chronicle

Everyone over the age of 35 remembers exactly where they were on September 11, 2001. For the past quarter century, every September 11th, Americans pause for a moment and are brought together by our shared suffering and the shock and horror of seeing thousands of our countrymen killed in the blink of an eye.

That attack reshaped the world, and for many of us, changed the course of our lives forever.

This year, 9/11 hit differently. Replacing the feeling of national unity and shared sorrow that usually dominates the day, America was ripped apart by a bullet that assassinated someone who many disagreed with, but whose only mission was to demand debate, encourage discourse, and spur young people to engage on the issues of our time.

Americans can and should disagree on their opinions of Charlie Kirk, just like they can disagree over our foreign policy in the wake of 9/11. What we MUST agree on, however, is that the murder of a young father and husband, just like the slaughter of 3,000 Americans, is evil.

The past year has seen a terrible tide of political violence be normalized, accepted, and even celebrated as legitimate protest against those with whom we disagree.

From the two attempts on the life of President Trump, to the assassination of elected officials in Minnesota, to the murder of a corporate CEO and the arson attack on Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro's home, far too many Americans seem to think it is OK to demonize and even kill those with whom they disagree.

Even worse, the most disgusting corners of social media celebrate these atrocities when they happen. Media outlets skew coverage to hide the truth and adhere to their viewers' preferred narrative, as we saw when the tragic murder of a Ukrainian war refugee was concealed and suppressed for weeks.

This must end now. 9/11 can serve as a reminder to us all that although we disagree on much, we agree on much more.

We agree that we want a better future for our children. We want safe streets for our families. We want a prosperous economy for our communities, and we want our families to be able to speak their mind without fear of violence.

September 11, 2025, can become the day that America said "enough" - enough of the violence and rhetoric that is tearing us apart, enough of demonizing those with whom we disagree, and enough of accepting that violence is the only way.

Charlie Kirk welcomed debate. He welcomed discourse, and he traveled the world to demand that people defend their rhetoric instead of living in an ideological echo chamber. For this, he was killed, but for this he will also be remembered.

After the deadliest attack in our nation's history 24 years ago, thousands of us volunteered to serve and said, "Send me. I'll fight to protect this nation and make sure this never happens again on our soil."

We're so blessed in this country to have millions of people willing to put their uniform on each day and do whatever it takes to protect our communities with service, sacrifice, and duty at the heart of the mission - just like the firefighters, paramedics, police officers, and everyday Americans who rose to the occasion, ran toward the danger, and embodied the best of America on September 11, 2001.

This year, let us use the anniversary of 9/11 as an opportunity to rekindle the American values that underpin our republic and most importantly, rediscover the love and respect that we should have for each other, not as neighbors or coworkers, or even friends or family, but as Americans - those with whom we share a flag and a nation.

One day, instead of fighting each other, we may have to fight for each other again.

It's time to heal, and now is the perfect time to start.

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Contact: Tate Mitchell, Jack O'Brien