Department of Education sparks outrage by hanging banner of Charlie Kirk alongside MLK Jr.

The Department of Education has sparked outrage amongst many on the internet after they hung a banner of Charlie Kirk alongside a number of famous figures outside their governmental building in Washington DC.

Kirk, a conservative commentator, was assassinated in September last year during a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University.

Tyler Robinson has since been charged with his murder, while prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.

While Kirk's views were arguably divisive, the Department of Education has decided to honor the commentator with a banner of his portrait hanging outside their offices in the capital.

It sits alongside other banners of many historical figures including the likes of Benjamin Franklin, Martin Luther King Jr. and Catharine Beecher.

The banners are intended to 'celebrate visionary leaders who have shaped the future of education for generations', though Kirk's inclusion certainly hasn't gone down well in certain parts of the internet.

The likes of Benjamin Franklin, Martin Luther King Jr. and Catharine Beecher are featured alongside Kirk (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)

One person penned on X: "Putting Charlie Kirk alongside Martin Luther King Jr. is like putting a microwave meal next to a Sunday soul food spread and calling it the same thing."

While a second noted Kirk was a 'college dropout' so shouldn't be recognised by the Department of Education.

However, not everyone agreed, with one social media user saying of Kirk's inclusion: "Good. Rightly so."

Amid the noise surrounding Kirk's banner, Savannah Newhouse, the Education Department's press secretary, told USA Today: "We are proud to honor visionary leaders whose contributions have shaped the future of education for generations. Their work reflects Benjamin Franklin’s timeless belief that 'an investment in knowledge pays the best interest."

The statement continued: "As our country marks an historic 250th milestone, this moment invites us all to join in the pursuit of fostering educational opportunity that empowers every learner to rise, contribute, and help shape a brighter future for generations yet to come."

The banner had been placed outside the Department of Education building in Washington DC (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)

It comes just a matter of weeks after a banner of Donald Trump was hung up at the Department of Justice buildings in Washington DC.

Just like the Kirk banner, the matter was met with opposition on the other side of politics, amid the president's lowly polling ratings.

Nonetheless, the Justice Department hit back at the nose and stated the banner was intended to 'celebrate 250 years' of the US.

They told USA Today: "We are proud at this Department of Justice to celebrate 250 years of our great country and our historic work to make America safe again at President Trump’s direction."

UNILAD has reached out to Turning Point USA for comment.