“Stop in the Name of God”: Erica Kirk Opens Up About Charlie’s Final Book, His Legacy, and the Ongoing Investigation

This hour on Burning and Company at FBN, host Brian Kilmeade welcomed Lt. Col. Allen West—and then Turning Point USA CEO Erica Kirk, who wrote the foreword for her late husband Charlie Kirk’s final book, Stop in the Name of God: Why Honoring the Sabbath Will Transform Your Life.

“It’s bittersweet,” Erica said. “These are his final words—not just to the world, but to me.” She revealed that Charlie wrote her a letter every Saturday during the Sabbath. “This book is now my love letter for the rest of my life.”

Kilmeade recalled when Larry Arnn of Hillsdale first encountered Charlie at age 22 or 23. At the time, almost no one knew Turning Point USA, but thousands showed up at 7 a.m. to hear him speak. “This is just the beginning,” Charlie told him.

Arnn later spoke at Charlie’s memorial. He once told Charlie he needed to study deeply if he wanted to lead a movement, not just talk. Charlie took 33 courses from Hillsdale and read relentlessly. His mission was always to pursue truth, beauty, and the eternal.

Charlie Sought Wisdom, Not Fame

Erica explained that Charlie never wanted to be a “talking figure” but a movement leader. “He didn’t preach at people. He learned, he lived it, then showed you a better way.”

He dedicated his book to Dennis Prager, who deeply influenced him. Charlie listened to every fireside chat and read every Old Testament commentary Prager wrote. Erica said, “You cannot understand the New Testament without reading the Old Testament. Charlie knew that.”

This devotion shaped Charlie’s approach to writing the book: he wanted to understand Sabbath practice fully—not legally, but spiritually

The Sabbath: Not Legalism, But Rest

Erica emphasized that Charlie did not present Sabbath laws in a rigid way. Instead, he urged people to see God’s command as a gift:

“Press pause. Rest. Be with Him so He can use you.”

For the Kirk family, Friday nights were for family dinner; Saturdays were for rest, prayer, and each other. Charlie prioritized Erica and their children above everything.

Charlie’s Discipline and Integrity

Charlie didn’t drink—not for legalistic reasons, but because “he couldn’t operate at the level he needed to if he was drunk.” He avoided partying, stayed focused, and modeled the values he wanted his son to grow up with.

“He always said, ‘I’m not raising a boy, I’m raising a man.’”

Why Charlie Never Took FOX & Friends Weekends

Kilmeade laughed recalling how he once invited Charlie to guest-host FOX & Friends weekends. Charlie immediately declined:

“My weekends are sacred.”

He protected the Sabbath fiercely—not just for spiritual reasons, but to maintain clarity, peace, and family leadership.

His Legacy: Intentional, Disciplined, Purposeful

Charlie managed time with precision—“down to the second.” Erica said this wasn’t learned; “it was God-given.” Despite endless responsibilities, he never seemed rushed because he lived intentionally.

He left behind no possessions—“nothing attached to his casket,” Erica said. “You come into this world the same way you leave it. What matters is what you leave behind.”

Turning Point USA After His Death

Erica now leads Turning Point USA and Turning Point Action. She credits the organization’s survival to Charlie’s insistence on handpicking every leader.

“When Charlie was murdered, our team—by the grace of God—put together his memorial within seven days. We don’t see this as a job. It’s mission-driven, vision-led.”

The global outpouring of support stunned her. “Only God can use someone to that capacity.”

Walking Onto the Stage at the Memorial

Erica stayed alone in her green room beforehand, listening to worship music and praying.

“I didn’t want to see the crowd early. I wanted to feel the full emotion the second I walked out.”

Hearing tens of thousands singing “Hallelujah” was indescribable—a “slice of heaven.”

But then she had to speak.

“There’s nothing harder than seeing the videos of my kids and Hammond. It was gut-wrenching. But life is tough, and you have to decide: collapse—or ask God for grace to move forward.”

The Investigation Into Charlie’s Murder

Kilmeade finally asked what everyone wanted to know: how involved is she in the investigation?

“I’m in contact with attorneys and prosecutors daily,” Erica said. “With the evidence we have, we are moving in the correct direction. I trust our team completely.”

On whether the FBI or Kash Patel’s involvement worries her, Erica said:

“When you have the truth, you don’t need anything else. I’ve seen the autopsy report. If you don’t believe the truth, I don’t know what to tell you.”

She acknowledged rampant conspiracy theories—guns, manhole covers, alternate shooters.

“I’ve heard all of them.”

But she warned these theories could taint the jury pool.

“There is a trial coming. I want justice for my husband more than anyone else. People online aren’t in the meetings with prosecutors. Why would we reveal strategy to the Internet? That only helps the defense.”

For now, she is focused on truth, justice, and raising her children with strength.