On Saturday, October 18, 2025, Just the News reported that two Ohio lawmakers are seeking the removal of Hamilton County Municipal Court Judge Ted Berry following public statements he made regarding the death of Charlie Kirk. Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot during a campus event in Utah in September and posthumously received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Donald Trump last week.
State Representative Adam Mathews, a Republican serving his second term, has characterized Judge Berry’s comments as “egregious and inflammatory” and initially called for the judge’s resignation. After a month had passed without Berry stepping down, Mathews introduced a concurrent resolution to initiate removal proceedings against the judge.
Mathews emphasized the importance of public trust in the judiciary, stating, “The people of Ohio deserve a judiciary they can trust to be fair, unbiased, and beyond reproach. Judge Berry’s actions have fallen far short of that sacred trust, and now the Legislature must act to defend the courts.”
Representative D.J. Swearingen, also a Republican, echoed Mathews’ concerns, describing Berry’s comments as misconduct and a violation of judicial ethics. Swearingen stated that Berry’s refusal to resign has left the Legislature with no alternative but to pursue the most serious option available to ensure public confidence in the fairness of Ohio’s courts.
Media outlets have reported that Berry’s comments included phrases such as “reds in Hatred & Division,” “How’s he feel about gun violence & gun control in Hell now,” and “So, a white guy killed him! Color it KARMA!”
The controversy has already resulted in consequences for Berry, as he was removed from his position as a member of the Joe Burrow Foundation following the public outcry over his statements.
This is not the first time Berry’s conduct has come under scrutiny. In 2021, the Judicial Disciplinary Counsel charged him with violating the code of judicial conduct for sending inappropriate Facebook messages and videos to a court employee. According to records, Berry stipulated to the charge of misconduct and received a public reprimand.
Source: Just the News
