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Charlie Kirk assassination sparks bipartisan uproar over political violence as Utah manhunt underway

Charlie Kirk assassination sparks bipartisan uproar over political violence as Utah manhunt underway

Lawmakers bridged the partisan divide on Wednesday after news that conservative activist Charlie Kirk, 31, was killed from a gunshot wound.  Prayers for Kirk’s recovery on social media swiftly turned into condolences to his family and a widespread condemnation of political violence from both Republicans and Democrats.  CHARLIE KIRK, TURNING POINT USA FOUNDER, DEAD AT 31 AFTER UTAH CAMPUS SHOOTING “It’s devastating news,” House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said. “The idea that political violence has taken one of the strongest voices on the conservative side is a great heartbreak. Charlie was a close friend of mine and a confidant, and he will be sorely missed, and we need every political leader to decry the violence and to do it loudly. The problem is in the human heart, and it’s gotten out of hand.” “This is beyond terrible,” Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., said. “Charlie Kirk was a husband, father, and son. Violence is never the answer. Sydney and I are keeping the Kirk family in our prayers.” DEMS, GOP LAWMAKERS JOIN FORCES TO CONDEMN POLITICAL VIOLENCE AFTER CHARLIE KIRK SHOT Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., addressed Kirk’s death on the Senate floor and said that “political violence, which this attack seems to be, has no place in this country — none.”  “I’m deeply disturbed about the threat of violence that has entered our political life, and I pray that we will remember that every person, no matter how vehement our disagreement with them, is a human being and a fellow American deserving of respect and protection,” he said.  President Donald Trump confirmed the news on Truth Social and said, “No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie.”  CHARLIE KIRK ROSE TO BECOME CONSERVATIVE POWERHOUSE, TRANSFORMATIVE CAMPUS FIGURE Kirk was shot during an event on his “American Comeback Tour” at Utah Valley University on Wednesday afternoon. The university initially said that a suspect was in custody but later announced that the person was released. Campus police on Wednesday afternoon asked students to call a hotline and be escorted off. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, called Kirk “an American patriot, an inspiration to countless young people to stand up and defend the timeless truths that make our country great.”  “This murder was a cowardly act of violence, an attack on champions of freedom like Charlie, the students who gathered for civil debate, and all Americans who peacefully strive to save our nation,” he said.  “The terrorists will not win,” he continued. “Charlie will. Please join me in praying for his wife Erika and their children. May justice be swift.” Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., urged, “We must collectively find a way forward during these polarized times.”  His death follows a wave of high-profile political assassination attempts in an increasingly polarized political environment.  Trump survived two separate assassination attempts within weeks of each other while running for re-election in 2024. Meanwhile, a gunman in Minnesota shot and killed state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, while critically injuring another state lawmaker, this past June.

Charlie Kirk shooting leads to outpouring from Utah officials, 2025 noms on both sides

Charlie Kirk shooting leads to outpouring from Utah officials, 2025 noms on both sides

After conservative Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk was shot and killed at Utah Valley University, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox called for the public to pray for the 31-year-old father of two and his family. “We need your prayers for Charlie,” Cox, a Republican, said Wednesday. Sen. John Curtis, R-Utah, said separately that his office is working to gather information on the attack. “We are praying for his safety and the well-being of everyone impacted,” Curtis said. CHARLIE KIRK CONFIDENT CONSERVATIVES ARE WINNING OVER YOUNG AMERICANS AFTER WATCHING DEMS’ GEN Z SUMMIT “I am grateful for the swift response of law enforcement and first responders working to secure the campus.” Curtis’ counterpart Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, added, “This is a good time to pray.” House GOP Vice Chair Blake Moore, R-Utah, added that his office is also following the harrowing events. “My team and I are tracking the tragic shooting at Utah Valley University and seeking more information as it’s made available,” Moore said. “We are praying for Charlie Kirk, his family, the students, and all those impacted.” Rep. Burgess Owens, R-Utah, called the situation “horrific,” adding, “we will not tolerate this in Utah.” The former New York Jet was echoed by Rep. Mike Kennedy, who represents the city of Orem where Utah Valley University sits. CHARLIE KIRK NAMES JD VANCE AS GUIDING LIGHT FOR YOUNG CONSERVATIVES, BUT SAYS GOP MUST DELIVER ON PROMISES “I’m devastated to learn Charlie Kirk was shot during an event at UVU,” Kennedy said in a statement. “We condemn this senseless act of violence. Praying for Charlie and all those affected. My team and I are monitoring the situation for updates.” Rep. Celeste Maloy, the Beehive State’s other remaining congresswoman, asked for prayers and said the situation does “not reflect who we are in Utah.” On the East Coast, where two key gubernatorial elections will be held in just over a month, candidates on both sides spoke out against political violence and said Kirk and his family deserve the nation’s thoughts. “Please keep Charlie Kirk in your prayers,” said Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears. “He’s a husband, a young father, and someone who cares deeply about our country. Praying for him and his family,” said the retired Marine — who is running for governor. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Her opponent, former Rep. Abigail Spanberger said she and her husband Adam are praying for Kirk’s family. “Political violence of any kind is unacceptable,” the former Democratic congresswoman said. To the north, New Jersey Republican gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli said there must be “zero tolerance for political violence and harsh punishment for the perpetrators of it.” “Pray for Charlie Kirk and his young family,” Ciattarelli said. Opponent Mikie Sherrill, currently a Democratic congresswoman, called the shooting “appalling.” “I’m praying for him and his family. Political violence is dangerous, un-American, and has no place in our democracy,” she said. “My thoughts are with Charlie Kirk, his loved ones, and the community at Utah Valley University. The perpetrator of this abhorrent act should be brought to justice,” Sherill said on X.

Self-representation ‘almost always a mistake,’ expert warns as Trump trial begins

Self-representation ‘almost always a mistake,’ expert warns as Trump trial begins

Ryan Routh – accused of attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump when he was a major candidate in the 2024 election at his Florida golf club last year – has chosen to represent himself in court, a decision one legal expert says could prove disastrous. Cully Simson, a former prosecutor, defense attorney and judge, told Fox News Digital that while the Constitution guarantees the right to self-representation, it’s “almost always a mistake.” “It really makes no sense for somebody to defend themselves, especially in a serious case,” he said. “They have the right to do it, but it’s not prudent.”  RYAN ROUTH TRIAL OPENS WITH BIZARRE JURY QUESTIONS AND WITNESS DRAMA Self-representation creates risks and an unusual courtroom dynamic where the judge and prosecutor “have to pull their punches” to protect the record, and essentially “protect the defendant from himself.” A seasoned defense attorney knows how to put prosecutors to the test, forcing them to prove every element of the case and carefully laying the groundwork for potential appeals. When a defendant represents himself, Simson said, that kind of strategy is completely missing. “And so what ends up happening is the judge and the prosecutor has to play, in a weird way, a defensive role, in addition to the role of the judge being a neutral and impartial arbiter of the law, and the prosecutor just be the person who advocates on behalf of the government. You have to essentially protect the defendant from himself, and that is so much more difficult,” he said. RYAN ROUTH TRIAL: JURY SELECTION BEGINS IN TRUMP ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT CASE Simson said defense attorneys typically “push the envelope” and force the government to object, but when someone is representing themselves, lawyers hold back “because he’s not going to be smart enough or educated enough to object.” This can sometimes create an atmosphere where a “right to a fair trial” can become skewed – and it’s something law students study, too. “That’s that sophisticated point that law students talk about, and lawyers talk about. If you had a public defender or a private defense counsel who wasn’t very good and made a number of mistakes during the trial, if the guy’s convicted, one of the first things on appeal is you’ll claim ineffective assistance of counsel,” Simson said. “You can’t claim ineffective assistance of counsel when you represent yourself.” When asked if there were any pros to self-representation in a federal trial, Simson said, “I guess one pro would be to conduct his defense exactly how he wanted to.” “For example, in the Long Island shooter case, no criminal defense attorney was going to let that nut job act out in court and be the wacko he was,” he said. TRUMP ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT SUSPECT RYAN ROUTH CAN REPRESENT HIMSELF AT TRIAL, FEDERAL JUDGE RULES As in the notorious 1993 Long Island Rail Road case, convicted killer Colin Ferguson chose to represent himself and even took the witness stand to question his own victims.  Routh has pleaded not guilty to federal charges of attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate and assaulting a federal officer. Prosecutors say he was armed with an AK-style rifle when Secret Service agents stopped him near Trump’s golf course in West Palm Beach in September 2024. The trial is expected to last several weeks, but Trump-appointed Judge Aileen Cannon urged both sides to keep proceedings efficient. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Opening statements are tentatively scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 11, if the panel is seated on time.

After Qatar attack, Israel ambassador to US says ‘we’ll get them next time’

After Qatar attack, Israel ambassador to US says ‘we’ll get them next time’

Israeli diplomat Yechiel Leiter says countries criticising Israel over launching air strikes on Doha will ‘get over it’. Published On 10 Sep 202510 Sep 2025 Click here to share on social media share2 Share Washington, DC – Hours after United States President Donald Trump promised that Israel would not attack Qatar again, the Israeli ambassador to the US suggested that his country could repeat its attempt to kill Hamas officials within the Gulf country. Speaking to Fox News late on Tuesday, Yechiel Leiter said if Hamas leaders had survived the Doha bombardment, Israel would target them again. Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of list “If we didn’t get them this time, we’ll get them the next time,” the Israeli envoy said. Israel launched air attacks in Doha targeting a Hamas delegation that was meeting to discuss Trump’s Gaza ceasefire proposal on Tuesday. But Hamas said its top leaders – including its Gaza chief Khalil al-Hayya – survived the assassination attempt, which killed six people, including a Qatari security officer. Countries across the world, including some of Israel’s Western allies, condemned the attack. The Israeli air raids appear to have violated several provisions of international law, including the United Nations Charter’s prohibition on aggression against sovereign states. Qatar described the strikes as “state terrorism” and called for a regional response against the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani accused Netanyahu of undermining regional stability and peace in pursuit of “narcissistic delusions” and personal gains. “Working to violate the sovereignty of nations without any care must not be overlooked and must be confronted by all means,” he said. Advertisement Trump, a staunch supporter of Israel, also expressed misgivings with the attack, but stopped short of publicly condemning it. “Unilaterally bombing inside Qatar, a Sovereign Nation and close Ally of the United States, that is working very hard and bravely taking risks with us to broker Peace, does not advance Israel or America’s goals,” he wrote in a social media post. Qatar is a major non-NATO ally of the US, and it has helped mediate several international agreements involving Washington. The Gulf country also hosts one of the largest US military bases in the region. The US president added on Tuesday that he spoke to Qatar’s emir and prime minister and “assured them that such a thing will not happen again on their soil”. But Leiter dismissed the US and international concerns, saying that Israel – which attacked at least five Arab countries over the past month – is changing the region “for the better” and working to “defeat Islamic extremism”. “Right now, we may be subject to a little bit of criticism. They’ll get over it,” he said. Israel receives billions of dollars in US military aid annually. Adblock test (Why?)

Pakistan and India: What’s the global cost of natural disasters?

Pakistan and India: What’s the global cost of natural disasters?

Floods in Pakistan and India re-ignite the debate on the mounting cost of global disasters. Global natural disasters are striking harder and more often, with climate emergencies now breaking records year after year.The UN says a child born today faces a nearly nine in 10 chance of experiencing a catastrophic flood during their lifetime.The financial toll is staggering, with more than $200bn a year.That could rise to as much as $2.3 trillion, once knock-on effects are included.But who will pay when the storms hit? Nowhere is that question more pressing than in Pakistan and in India, which have been hit by one of the worst floods in decades. Published On 10 Sep 202510 Sep 2025 Click here to share on social media share2 Share Adblock test (Why?)

Breaking from colleagues, judge votes for annulment in Bolsonaro trial

Breaking from colleagues, judge votes for annulment in Bolsonaro trial

Justice Luiz Fux insists the court has no jurisdiction to decide if the former president is guilty of plotting a coup. Published On 10 Sep 202510 Sep 2025 Click here to share on social media share2 Share Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Luiz Fux has called for the annulment of the case against former President Jair Bolsonaro due to what he called an “absolute lack of jurisdiction” for the five-judge panel hearing the case. His vote on Wednesday is the third of five to be cast this week, as judges deliberate on the charges facing the former president, who stands accused of plotting a coup to remain in power after losing the 2022 election. Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of list The high court still seems likely to convict Bolsonaro: Two judges have already voted to convict, and the remaining two were appointed by leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who defeated Bolsonaro. The former president stands accused of taking part in an armed criminal organisation, attempting to violently abolish democracy, organising a coup, and damaging government property and protected cultural assets. His lawyers have maintained his innocence on all counts. Fux argued on Wednesday in the trial’s final deliberations that the case should have been heard by lower courts because Bolsonaro had left office. “I vote … that the Supreme Court has no jurisdiction to judge this case because the defendants had already lost their [political] positions,” Fux said. Once involved, he added, the full Supreme Court should have handled the trial rather than the five-judge panel, because it involves crimes committed while Bolsonaro was president. Fux also said the defence was not given enough time to prepare their case, noting that the investigation generated around 70 terabytes of documents, which he called a “tsunami of data” and “document dumping”. Advertisement “I’m not an expert in this area, but the volume reached 70 terabytes — I couldn’t believe it, because that’s billions of pages. Yet it was only on April 30, 2025, that a decision was issued granting access to the media and materials seized during the investigative phase,” he said. If found guilty, the far-right, 70-year-old Bolsonaro faces up to 43 years in prison. Seven co-defendants, including ex-ministers and army generals, face similar sentences. Yesterday, when Justice Alexandre de Moraes cast his vote in favour of conviction, he noted that there was excessive evidence of plans to assassinate current President Lula, citing a document found at government headquarters. The case has drawn widespread attention in Brazil, where tens of thousands of Bolsonaro supporters took to the streets on Sunday ahead of the verdict. Such protests have raised concerns about the implications of a possible guilty verdict. After Bolsonaro lost the election, his supporters stormed key government buildings on January 8, 2023, seeking to prevent Lula from taking office. The attack caused millions of dollars in damage, and dozens of law enforcement officers and protesters were injured. Bolsonaro’s supporters have called on United States President Donald Trump – a close ally of the Brazilian former leader – to intervene in the case. Trump has denounced the trial as a “witch hunt” and levied sanctions against Moraes, as well as steep tariffs on Brazilian goods. Adblock test (Why?)