Utah Congressman Urges Commencement Speaker To Withdraw From UVU

(Provo, UT) — A Utah congressman is calling on a scheduled commencement speaker at Utah Valley University to step aside. Representative Burgess Owens is urging author Sharon McMahon to withdraw, citing concerns over timing following the killing of Charlie Kirk on campus. Owens says the request is not about silencing views but about sensitivity, pointing to McMahon’s past social media posts criticizing Kirk after his death. The call comes as some state leaders and students have also voiced opposition to her appearance.