Super Bowl-level security will surround the president and 100,000 red, white and blue-clad mourners who gather Sunday at the memorial service for slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk, according to federal law enforcement agencies.
US Department of Homeland Security officials told The Post they designated Sunday’s “Building a Legacy: Remembering Charlie Kirk” memorial service at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. a level-1 “special event assessment rating.”
“This designation is reserved for events of the highest national significance and enables the federal government to provide the full range of law enforcement and security resources necessary to support local officials in ensuring a safe and successful event,” the official explained.
The funeral for slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk will be held at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. on Sunday. FightForCharlieFederal agencies were already “tracking several threats of unknown credibility” ahead of the funeral, which will also be attended by Vice President JD Vance, ABC News reported.
“Violent extremists and unaffiliated lone offenders may view the memorial service or related events as attractive attack targets due to the attendance of these individuals, other senior U.S. government officials, state and local government officials, and political activists and due to major international media attention,” warned a law enforcement memo obtained by the outlet.
Meanwhile, an armed man was grabbed by Secret Service agents outside the stadium Friday, law enforcement officials revealed Saturday.
Joshua Runkles, 42, was charged with impersonating a law enforcement officer and carrying a weapon into a prohibited place, and released on bond, authorities said.
The incident occurred prior to the security perimeter being set up at the football stadium, which is home to the Arizona Cardinals.
Kirk was shot and killed Sept. 10 as he engaged with an audience at Utah Valley University. Getty ImagesMore than 100,000 people are expected to attend the event, which begins at 11 a.m. MST and will be televised by broadcast news outlets FOX and CBS.
There will be live eulogies by Trump and Kirk’s widow, Erika, who delivered an emotional address just days after the shooting. Other VIPs expected to deliver remarks include White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles; Secretary of State Marco Rubio; Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.; Secretary of War Pete Hegseth; US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard; Donald Trump Jr.; Tucker Carlson; White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller and Director of the White House Personnel Office Sergio Gor.
“Two planes full” of Trump administration officials and staff will travel with the president to attend the funeral, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Saturday, adding that the immense interest “speaks to how many people [Kirk] touched at the highest levels of our government.”
Worship services will be led by Christian singers and songwriters Chris Tomlin, Brandon Lake, Phil Wickham, Kari Jobe Carnes and Cody Carnes. Musical artists Lee Greenwood and Steve Amerson are also expected to perform.
Kirk’s widow, Erika, is expected to be a headline speaker at the memorial service. Turning Point USAThe Kirk family lived in Scottsdale, Ariz. and their Turning Point USA, the conservative and Christian youth group Kirk founded, was headquartered in Phoenix.
At the public outpouring of grief and support, the US Secret Service will coordinate all security measures, according to William Mack, the special agent in charge of the Phoenix field office, who said Secret Service teams “are already on the ground in Phoenix and Glendale, working side-by-side with state, local, and federal partners.
Here's the latest on the Charlie Kirk shooting in Utah
- Police identified Tyler Robinson, 22, as the alleged assassin who fatally shot Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10.
- Robinson was charged with aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury and obstruction of justice.
- Law enforcement confirmed that Robinson was living with a transgender roommate, and communications between the two helped the feds catch the alleged assassin.
- Kirk, the 31-year-old Turning Point USA co-founder, was attending an event on his American Comeback Tour when he was struck in the neck by a single shot.
- President Trump was among many who have called for the assassin to receive the death penalty.
- Kirk’s body was brought to Arizona from Utah on Air Force Two, accompanied by Vice President JD Vance, and taken to Phoenix’s Hansen Mortuary Chapel.
- Kirk’s funeral, which Trump has promised to attend, is scheduled for Sept. 21 at State Farm Stadium, home of the Arizona Cardinals.
- Kirk, a rising MAGA star, is survived by his wife and two young children.
“It’s all hands on deck,” said Jose Santiago of the Glendale Police Department.
Santiago said the department is also coordinating with the Phoenix Police Department, the FBI and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Kirk’s widow, Erika, shared a photo of her leaning her head on her husband’s casket on Instagram. Erika Kirk“Security of all different types – from the sky and the ground – and measures that won’t be visible to the naked eye” will be in effect, as well as metal detectors and a strict no-bag policy, Santiago said.
At least several hundred officers will be in and around the stadium, he added.
As law enforcement is expecting at least a handful of protestors to show up at the event, there will be a designated “free speech zone” outside of the stadium, Santiago explained.
“Whenever there is a possibility that there is going to be political opposition to an event, we establish a free speech zone – that’s there for people to stand there with their signs and voice their protest,” he said.
“That’s their right. As long as no one is breaking the law and inciting violence they have the right to be there,” Santiago said, describing the zone as “fairly large” but not taped off from the rest of attendees.
A former NYPD detective and security consultant told Fox News Digital that mourners should stay vigilant at the event.
“From the moment you arrive…have your eyes wide open…who’s to your right, who’s to your left, who’s behind you? What are they doing?” Pat Brosnan advised attendees, according to the outlet, and added: “Eyes in the backs and the sides of your head.”
Kirk, a 31-year-old married father of two, was shot and killed Sept. 10 as he engaged with an audience at Utah Valley University.
The Kirk family lived in Scottsdale, Ariz. and Turning Point USA operated in Phoenix. Erika Kirk
The event is expected to draw over 100,000 spectators. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectHis suspected assassin, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, is being held without bail on charges including first-degree murder.
The memorial service is open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis, though attendees were asked to register with Turning Point USA.
The crowd is expected to far exceed the stadium’s 73,000-person capacity, as well as the 20,000-person capacity at the adjacent Desert Diamond Arena, where overflow crowds will go.
The memorial service is open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis, though attendees were asked to register with Turning Point USA. Erika KirkOvernight camping is not allowed in the parking area, but Santiago said he expects spectators to start showing up at as early as 2 a.m. – hours before the doors open at 8 a.m. local time.
“We expect people to have to park several miles away,” Santiago said.
Attendees were asked to dress in their Sunday best, and wear red, white or blue colors.







