Rubio says State Department has denied visas to people ‘celebrating’ Kirk’s murder

(CNN) — The State Department has “most certainly been denying visas” to people “celebrating” the murder of Charlie Kirk, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said.

The top US diplomat’s comments come amid broader threats by the Trump administration to punish alleged “hate speech” after the killing of the president’s ally last week. The moves have raised questions about whether they are legal under the First Amendment’s freedom of speech protections.

The administration has already been aggressive in its policies to revoke and deny visas, blocking students tied to protests against the war in Gaza, most individuals holding a Palestinian Authority passport, and members of the Palestinian Authority and Palestine Liberation Organization.

Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said last