The Knox County Commission passed R25‑10‑103, an honorary resolution recognizing Charles (Charlie) Kirk, on Oct. 27 after a prolonged debate and public commentary. The motion to approve was introduced by Commissioner Lee and seconded by Commissioner Fox and, by the commission's tally, passed by a reported margin of 7 yes, 3 no and 1 abstention.

Supporters said the resolution honored a person whose campus work and advocacy had drawn large local audiences and whose death by political violence many commissioners described as abhorrent. Nick Settle, vice president of the University of Tennessee Turning Point chapter, told the commission, "By now, everyone should have heard about just how great Charlie Kirk was, a man known for fighting for his conservative values and most importantly, his faith." Commissioner Fox argued the resolution recognized Kirk's push for civil debate, saying Kirk "promoted peaceful and organized debate to work through political disputes."

Opponents said using an honorary county resolution to salute a national, partisan political figure risked turning a ceremonial tool into a political endorsement. Commissioner Rawls said his objections were foundational: "My concerns are rooted in principle, community, and character rather than politics," and he said he would vote no. Commissioner Hill urged restraint on the commission's ceremonial process, saying, "This is not supposed to be what our resolutions are about," and argued that honoring a polarizing national figure could undermine the commission's role as an inclusive local body.

Several commissioners urged alternatives to a full‑commission resolution, including individual proclamations or private acknowledgements. Commissioner Durant and others repeatedly emphasized that the commission must represent a broad cross‑section of county residents; Commissioner Durant said the body should avoid the appearance of endorsing a "particular ideology."

The debate drew a large public presence, including students and Turning Point supporters. The meeting record shows a mix of audience responses and a request from the chair for civility. Commissioners also discussed the wording of the resolution, its scope and the commission's rules for honorary recognitions before taking the roll call vote.

Formal vote record: the roll call in the transcript names each commissioner and their recorded position during the vote (Rawls stated he would vote no; Durrett voted no; Oster voted aye; Jackson voted nay; Russell voted yes; Hill voted aye; Lee voted aye; Thompson voted yes; Fox voted aye; Jay voted aye; Fraser recorded as aye during roll call but the commission reported the final tally as 7 yes, 3 no, 1 abstain). The commission's minutes record the approved resolution and direction that the resolution be presented to invited representatives supporting the measure.

The resolution text read on the floor praised Kirk's advocacy for what its sponsors characterized as constitutional principles and civil discourse, noted he had spoken at the University of Tennessee in March 2025, and condemned the act of political violence that led to his death. It also calls on leaders at all levels to repudiate political violence and urged officials to pursue justice for the suspect."