MAGA influencer calls on Trump to use 'the sword' against enemies of conservative 'martyr'

MAGA influencer Benny Johnson called on President Donald Trump and his administration to 'wield the sword' against the enemies of slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk during Kirk's memorial service in Glendale, Arizona, on Sunday.

Johnson, who hosts an eponymous MAGA podcast, made the comments during his speech at Kirk's memorial. The service was attended by high-profile administration figures like Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and Trump himself.

During his speech, Johnson compared the Trump administration to the "godly government" that the Apostle Paul wrote about in the Book of Romans. He said God saved Trump's life from an assassin's bullet so that he could lead the country through the aftermath of Kirk's death.

Johnson also lobbed a thinly veiled threat of violence against those he considers "evil men" following Kirk's assassination.

"And what does the Apostle Paul say in Romans about a godly leadership?" Johnson asked. "He says that rules wield the sword for the protection of good men and for the terror of evil men."

"May we pray that our rules here, rightfully instituted and given power by our god, wield the sword for the terror of evil men in our nation in Charlie's memory," he added.

Johnson also compared Kirk to Stephen from the Book of Acts. Stephen is the Christian tradition's first martyr because he was stoned to death for his faith.

"Charlie Kirk is a martyr in the true Christian tradition," Johnson said. "If you cut down a tyrant, his power goes away. If you take out a martyr, his power grows, and that's what we see time and time again. We're seeing it across this country."

"The power of Christ's blood and the power of martyrdom speak through Charlie," he continued.