Fox News host Brian Kilmeade suggested using "involuntary lethal injection" to kill homeless people with mental illness during a September 10, 2025 segment of "Fox & Friends"[^1]. The comments came during a discussion about the murder of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska by a homeless person with schizophrenia in North Carolina[^2].
After co-host Lawrence Jones argued that homeless people should be forced to accept help or face jail time, Kilmeade interjected: "Or involuntary lethal injection... or something. Just kill 'em"[^3]. His co-hosts briefly acknowledged the comment before continuing their discussion[^4].
The remarks sparked widespread condemnation. Rep. Don Beyer of Virginia tweeted: "America's homeless population includes over a million children and tens of thousands of veterans, many of whom served in Iraq or Afghanistan. Nobody deserves to be murdered by the government for mental illness or poverty"[^1].
California Governor Gavin Newsom responded by quoting Proverbs 21:13: "Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered"[^3].
[^1]: The Independent - Fox News' host Brian Kilmeade says 'just kill 'em' about mentally ill homeless people
[^2]: Rolling Stone - Fox Host Says to 'Just Kill 'Em' While Discussing Homeless People Who Decline Help
[^3]: HuffPost - 'Just Kill 'Em': Fox Host Makes Shocking Comment On Homeless People
[^4]: Media Matters - Fox News host on mentally ill people who commit crimes: "Just kill them"