Trump says ‘we’ll see what happens’ when asked about possibility of striking Venezuela amid rising tensions
President Donald Trump on Sunday responded vaguely to questions about the possibilities of the U.S. striking mainland Venezuela as well as additional drug-smuggling boats amid rising tensions between the two countries. Trump answered several questions about Venezuela while speaking to reporters in Morristown, New Jersey, on Sunday — including the possibility of striking the country and whether he fears escalation from President Nicolás Maduro. “We’ll see what happens,” Trump said on Sunday in response to a question about the likelihood of a U.S. strike on the Latin American nation. “Look, Venezuela is sending us their gang members, their drug dealers and drugs. It’s not acceptable.” VENEZUELAN MILITARY JETS BUZZ US NAVY SHIP IN ‘HIGHLY PROVOCATIVE’ MOVE, PENTAGON SAYS The president also said that the number of boats seen off the coast of Venezuela, where his administration recently bolstered the U.S. Navy’s presence, has decreased significantly. “We’ll see what happens,” Trump told reporters for a second time when asked if he intends to launch additional strikes on Venezuelan drug-smuggling boats. “There’s certainly not a lot of boats out there. …. There’s been very little boat traffic.” TRUMP TOUTS US STRIKE AS MADURO SLAMS MILITARY ‘THREAT’ OFF VENEZUELA When asked on Sunday if he was concerned about a possible escalation from Maduro, who has labeled some of Trump’s actions illegal, Trump pointed to the millions of drug deaths that occurred in the U.S. last year. “What’s illegal are the drugs on the boat, and the drugs that are being sent into our country and the fact that 300 million people died last year from drugs, that’s what’s illegal,” Trump fired back. TRUMP ANNOUNCES US MILITARY CONDUCTED ‘LETHAL STRIKE’ ON VENEZUELAN DRUG BOAT IN CARIBBEAN The remarks from Trump come amid escalating tensions after a U.S. military strike earlier this month blew apart a Venezuelan drug boat in the southern Caribbean, leaving nearly a dozen suspected Tren de Aragua (TdA) narco terrorists dead. On Saturday, Venezuela’s foreign minister accused U.S. Navy personnel of boarding a tuna boat with nine fishermen in Venezuelan waters, according to The Associated Press. “A lot of drugs are coming out of Venezuela. A lot of Tren de Aragua,” Trump told reporters. “They’re trying to get out, but we’re stopping them successfully at the border in Venezuela.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP In February, the Trump administration also designated drug cartel groups like Tren de Aragua, the Sinaloa Cartel and others as foreign terrorist organizations.
Zohran Mamdani lands key endorsement in New York City mayoral race
It took nearly three months, but the top Democrat in New York state has finally endorsed New York City Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani. “New York City deserves a mayor who will stand up to Donald Trump and make life more affordable for New Yorkers. That’s @ZohranKMamdani,” New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said Sunday evening in a social media post. The governor’s endorsement is significant, as it may help Mamdani secure the backing of other key members of the party’s establishment. And it will likely put more pressure on two other top Democrats in New York State who are still withholding their backing of Mamdani – Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, the top two Democratic Party leaders in Congress. Mamdani, in a statement, said he was “grateful to the Governor for her support in unifying our party — as well as the work she’s done standing up to President Trump, securing free lunch meals for our kids, and expanding access to childcare.” TRUMP REVEALS NEW NICKNAME FOR MAMDANI Hochul announced her support for Mamdani, the 33-year-old democratic socialist state lawmaker from Queens who shocked the political world in June with his convincing win over former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and nine other candidates to capture the Democratic Party’s mayoral nomination, in the New York Times. “In the past few months, I’ve had frank conversations with him. We’ve had our disagreements,” the governor wrote. “But in our conversations, I heard a leader who shares my commitment to a New York where children can grow up safe in their neighborhoods and where opportunity is within reach for every family. I heard a leader who is focused on making New York City affordable — a goal I enthusiastically support.” POLL POSITION: JUST HOW LARGE IS MAMDANI’S LEAD IN THE NYC MAYORAL RACE? The Ugandan-born Mamdani, if elected, would become the first Muslim and first millennial mayor of the nation’s most populous city. He is the clear frontrunner in the latest public opinion polls in the mayoral race in the Democrat-dominated city. Mamdani is sitting on 22-point margin leads over Cuomo and the rest of the field in surveys released last week from Quinnipiac University and New York Times/Siena College. And a survey from Emerson University and the Hill also indicates Mamdani comfortably ahead by double digits. CUOMO SHAKES UP CAMPAIGN IN BID TO TAKE DOWN MAMDANI Guardian Angels co-founder Curtis Sliwa, who for a second straight election is the Republican mayoral nominee in the Democrat-dominated city, was a distant third in the polls, with embattled incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, who is running as an independent after deciding to skip the Democratic primary amid anemic polling, further down in fourth place. Both Sliwa and Adams have repeatedly committed to staying in the race in recent weeks amid multiple reports that Trump’s advisors floated administration roles for both mayoral hopefuls if they dropped out. On Sunday, following a new report that Adams would drop out in the coming days, the mayor’s spokesman fired back. “Let me be perfectly clear: any rumor or tweet suggesting Mayor Adams is stepping down this week is complete bulls—,” spokesman Todd Shapiro wrote in a statement. “These lies are being spread by desperate opponents who can’t match the mayor’s record, his campaign energy, or his support across this city.” Mamdani surged to the Democratic primary victory thanks to an energetic campaign that put a major focus on affordability and New York City’s high cost of living. It was fueled by a grassroots army of supporters and backing from top national progressive champions, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont. Mamdani made smart use of social media platforms, including TikTok, as he engaged low-propensity voters. He proposed eliminating fares to ride New York City’s vast bus system, making CUNY (City University of New York) “tuition-free,” freezing rents on municipal housing, offering “free childcare” for children up to age 5 and setting up government-run grocery stores. Mamdani has been heavily criticized by his rivals for his past critical comments of the New York City Police Department (NYPD), and his proposal to shift certain responsibilities away from the NYPD and focus on social services and community-based program. Hochul recently said an apology from Mamdani was in order, and the mayoral hopeful told the New York Times a couple of days ago that he intended to apologize. Hochul said that in her conversations with Mamdani she made “it very clear that our police officers should have every resource to keep our streets and subways safe. I urged him to ensure that there is strong leadership at the helm of the N.Y.P.D. — and he agreed.” The governor also addressed Mamdani’s past critical comments about Israel. “We discussed the need to combat the rise of antisemitism urgently and unequivocally. I’ve been glad to see him meet with Jewish leaders across the city, listening and addressing their concerns directly,” Hochul said. Hochul’s endorsement may not only benefit Mamdani, but could also help the governor shore up support from the Democrats’ progressive base as she seeks re-election next year. Mamdani praised Hochul for her focus on tackling affordability. “I look forward to fighting alongside her to continue her track record of putting money back in New Yorkers’ pockets and building a safer and stronger New York City where no one is forced to leave just so they can afford to raise a family,” he said. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP But Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York, a top Trump ally who is expected later this year to launch a 2026 run for governor, took aim at Hochul. “At the exact moment when New Yorkers are looking for strong leadership from their Governor with a majority opposing Zohran Mamdani, Kathy Hochul embraces this raging Communist who will destroy New York making it less affordable and more dangerous – once again putting criminals and communists first, and New Yorkers LAST,” Stefanik argued
Knives are out for embattled FBI Director Kash Patel, despite Trump support
On Monday, former Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey – once President Trump’s top pick to lead the FBI – will be sworn into a new power-sharing role with deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino. Bailey’s installment comes at a perilous time for FBI Director Kash Patel, whose leadership atop the nation’s premier law enforcement agency is under fire, according to ten sources from multiple federal offices granted anonymity to speak freely. The White House’s reasoning to create an unprecedented office for Bailey has not been explained and left FBI leadership confused, two people at the agency said. “The White House, Bondi, Blanche have no confidence in Kash,” one source with knowledge of ongoing personnel discussions said. “Pam in particular cannot stand him. Blanche either,” they said, referring to Attorney General Pam Bondi and her deputy, Todd Blanche. Bondi and Blanche denied the characterization, and White House officials denied any plans to remove Director Patel from his position. KASH PATEL’S FALSE START ON CHARLIE KIRK KILLER DRAWS SCRUTINY, BUT FBI NABBED SUSPECT IN THE END But allies of President Trump and Patel’s harshest critics have begun to circulate word that contingency plans for Patel’s ouster are forming. They also claim his hopeful successor, Andrew Bailey, made clear that he would not leave his post as Missouri’s AG – or abandon his aspirations to run for state governor – only to serve as Patel’s number two. Under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998, Bailey, who starts at the Bureau on September 15th, would be eligible to fill the FBI Director post – should it become vacant – after he has been employed by the FBI for at least 90 days. Multiple sources close to Trump acknowledged the president was not thrilled with some past episodes of Patel’s performance – including a public feud with AG Bondi over the administration’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case. One senior White House official involved in personnel decisions also framed Patel’s botched communications during the manhunt for Charlie Kirk’s assassin as something Patel likely wished he could do differently, if he could do it all over again. Trump did not call for any action to be taken in response to it, the person said. Patel’s purported off-ramp, which the White House denies, would not involve his firing but a reassignment to another administration role, according to multiple people who described it. “He’ll get Billy Long-ed,” one person said. Less than two months after his Senate confirmation, recent former IRS Commissioner Billy Long was nominated to become the next U.S. ambassador to Iceland. Such decisions would originate from the White House, and a senior official involved in decision-making there dismissed the allegations as baseless and even wishful thinking from figures who might benefit. Three sources also pointed out co-Deputy Director Dan Bongio’s days are more likely numbered than Patel’s, as he threatened to quit amid fallout from the Epstein feud with Bondi. Bongino declined to respond to claims from anonymous sources. In a phone call, he emphasized the FBI’s accomplishments in the short tenure of the new administration, including the success of Operation Summer Heat against violent crime nationwide. After DOJ leadership announced Bailey’s new position, Patel’s allies began quietly inquiring with figures inside and outside the administration about whispers of plans for his departure. Some of the claims were less whispers than shouts, with some going so far as to claim White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles was supportive of plans to replace Patel. Wiles strongly denied ever making such statements and described Kash as a friend of many years. NEW FBI DEPUTY DIRECTOR ANDREW BAILEY BEGINS WORK ALONGSIDE BONGINO Bailey said in a statement to FOX, “Any suggestion that I was brought in to replace anyone in leadership at the FBI or spin my appointment into a sign of division, is simply false – I am honored to serve the FBI and Department of Justice as we work together to keep our nation safe.” Wiles also told FOX, discussions surrounding Bailey’s hiring pertained only to the co-deputy director job he is set to serve in, starting Monday. Fox is told Patel has received ongoing guidance from Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio on improving his working relationship with Bondi. A senior White House official close to President Trump also expressed a desire for Patel to limit his presence on social media, given the gravity of the position he holds. Patel’s conduct online sparked the latest flashpoint in concerns over his ability to effectively carry out his duties as FBI Director. On Thursday, investigators in Orem, Utah delayed an afternoon press conference citing “rapid developments” as Patel jetted in from New York to appear alongside Gov. Spencer Cox. When officials took to the podium late in the evening, the FBI Director did not speak. Multiple sources told FOX he was forcefully instructed not to – adding that investigators had still not identified a suspect when the briefing was delayed. The unusual field appearance from the FBI Director – which current and former agents say can grind time-sensitive fieldwork to a halt – followed Patel’s hasty announcement on social media Wednesday that “the subject for the horrific shooting today that took the life of Charlie Kirk is now in custody.” The news came as an apparent surprise to local authorities about to deliver an update in a televised briefing, who indicated the killer was still at large. Shortly after, the FBI clarified that two people had been questioned and released, and the search was ongoing. “Total amateur hour,” one federal official said of the incident. The back-to-back communications fumbles sparked fury from AG Bondi, Deputy AG Blanche, and the White House, multiple sources told FOX. On Friday, when authorities announced that the 22-year-old Utah man suspected of Kirk’s murder was in custody, Governor Spencer Cox took the leading role in handling the press. There was concern, one source told FOX, that “letting Kash talk much could f*ck up the prosecution”. Asked
Turning Point USA says campus chapter requests surge to over 32,000 after Kirk’s assassination
Turning Point USA has seen a massive surge in inquiries for new college chapters as the organization works to advance Charlie Kirk’s vision following his assassination last week. Andrew Kolvet, executive producer of “The Charlie Kirk Show,” said Sunday that, in the past 48 hours, Turning Point USA (TPUSA) has received more than 32,000 inquiries from people wanting to start new campus chapters. “To put that in perspective, TPUSA currently has 900 official college chapters and around 1,200 high school chapters, with a presence of 3,500 total,” Kolvet, who is also a TPUSA spokesman, wrote on X. SLEEPING GIANT’ LIKELY WOKE UP FOR TURNING POINT USA AFTER CHARLIE KIRK’S ASSASSINATION “Charlie’s vision to have a Club America chapter (our high school brand) in every high school in America (around 23,000) will come true much, much faster than he could have ever possibly imagined,” Kolvet added, calling the response to expand Kirk’s mission “truly incredible.” In a separate post, Kolvet wrote, “This is the Turning Point.” Kirk was assassinated during an outdoor event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday afternoon. The event was the first in what was supposed to be a series called “American Comeback Tour.” Kirk, the charismatic 31-year-old founder of the conservative youth activist group, gained recognition for his signature political debates on college campuses. COMPLETE COVERAGE OF CHARLIE KIRK On Thursday evening, the second family escorted Kirk’s casket and family from Utah to their home state of Arizona on Air Force Two. A video of the moment showed his wife, Erika Kirk, visibly emotional on the tarmac as the casket passed before her. The couple have two young children. Kirk’s celebration of life ceremony is scheduled for next Sunday at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. President Donald Trump said he will attend Kirk’s funeral. On Friday evening, Kirk’s widow galvanized the TPUSA movement and vowed to carry on her husband’s mission. ‘DARK MOMENT FOR AMERICA’: TRUMP DECLARES KIRK’S VOICE ‘BIGGER AND GRANDER’ AFTER ASSASSINATION “To everyone listening tonight across America, the movement my husband built will not die,” Kirk said. “I refuse to let that happen. No one will ever forget my husband’s name. And I will make sure of it. It will become stronger. Bolder. Louder and greater than ever,” Kirk said. She also said that TPUSA’s annual “AmericaFest” conference in Phoenix this December will continue as scheduled. Judah Waxelbaum, a former campus activist at Arizona State University for Republican causes, said that the assassination likely awoke a “sleeping giant” and will likely see an increase in members. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP “Turning Point’s not going anywhere. Turning Point, I think, will probably actually get significantly larger in the wake of what happened to Charlie,” he told Fox News Digital in an interview on Saturday. “You couldn’t do youth politics in Arizona, really anywhere in the United States without coming across Charlie Kirk. “I wouldn’t be surprised if they’ve woken up a sleeping giant.” Fox News Digital’s Cameron Arcand contributed to this report.
Death penalty looms for Charlie Kirk’s accused killer but legal bar is high as Trump, Cox mount pressure
Law enforcement officials arrested the man accused of shooting and killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Utah on Friday after a frantic 33-hour manhunt. The suspect’s fate now hinges on whether the state pursues capital charges as political pressure mounts. Prosecutors have not yet filed charges against Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old accused of killing Kirk after driving nearly four hours to Utah Valley University, where the longtime Trump ally was speaking. It also remains unclear whether they will seek the death penalty, a step publicly urged by both President Donald Trump and Utah Gov. Spencer Cox. At a Friday news conference, Cox said investigators used surveillance footage from the stadium and tips from Robinson’s family and friends to identify him before the arrest. He also said charges would be filed “soon.” “We got him,” Cox said. ‘THIS IS ON ALL OF US’: LAWMAKERS TAKE HARD LOOK AT HOW POLITICAL RHETORIC PLAYED ROLE IN KIRK’S ASSASSINATION The governor vowed that Robinson would be “held accountable” for Kirk’s death, which he called a “political assassination.” “This is certainly about the tragic death, assassination, political assassination of Charlie Kirk, but it is also much bigger than an attack on an individual,” Cox said. “It is an attack on all of us. It is an attack on the American experiment.” Kirk’s graphic death and the scant public information revealed in its wake have left the nation reeling and revived heated debate about political violence in the U.S. It’s also sparked a litany of questions about how prosecutors will bring the case against Robinson, with Utah law and years of precedent making capital punishment difficult to pursue. ENGRAVINGS ON SHOOTER’S AMMO EXPOSES CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSINATION MOTIVE Robinson is being held at Utah County Jail. A probable cause affidavit reviewed by Fox News Digital lists potential charges including aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm causing serious injury and obstruction of justice. Utah law allows prosecutors to seek the death penalty only in cases where an individual is charged with “aggravated murder” — or a murder that knowingly “created a great risk of death” to another person besides the victim or defendant. The offense is listed in the affidavit, which could open the door for prosecutors to seek the death penalty. The clock is ticking: Utah law requires state prosecutors to file a specific notice of intent within 60 days after an individual is arraigned on aggravated murder charges to notify the court and defense attorneys that they plan to try the case as a capital felony. Doing so sets into motion a complex legal process — including a two-part, or bifurcated trial, to decide both guilt and whether the defendant should receive capital punishment. Otherwise, the case is tried under charges of a “noncapitalist fist-degree penalty,” eligible for a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole. TRUMP SAYS SLAIN CONSERVATIVE ACTIVIST CHARLIE KIRK WAS ‘LIKE A SON’ TO HIM IN EMOTIONAL TRIBUTE Cox and Trump both suggested in interviews earlier this week that the state should seek the death penalty against Kirk’s killer, even before Robinson was named as a suspect. “I hope he gets the death penalty,” Trump said Friday morning on “Fox & Friends,” calling Kirk “the finest person.” The Beehive State is one of 27 states that still allows the death penalty, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. It’s also one of just five states where execution by firing squad remains legal. SECRET SERVICE UNDER PRESSURE: WHAT KIRK’S ASSASSINATION MEANS FOR TRUMP’S SECURITY Even so, capital punishment cases are rarely pursued in Utah. The state has carried out only two executions in the past 20 years, and inmates spend an average of 34 years on death row. Only four men are currently on death row in Utah, each for “decades,” according to KUTV. For Robinson, whose criminal trial will draw national attention, particularly from the president and his allies, it’s still far too early to predict the outcome. Already, Robinson’s case has fueled intense speculation — even as some lawmakers urged calm. “History will dictate if this is a turning point for our country,” Cox said, “but every single one of us gets to choose right now if this is a turning point for us.”
Charlie Kirk’s close friend reveals what he would be ‘proudest of’ while reflecting on legacy
A close friend and colleague of Charlie Kirk says the conservative leader and media star “was one of one” and doubts he’ll ever be replaced. But asked about a void in the conservative movement, Andy Surabian, who’s a top political adviser to both Vice President JD Vance and Donald Trump Jr., told Fox News Digital that Kirk “inspired a generation of young conservatives who have the potential to grow into being somebody like Charlie Kirk.” Kirk, who was shot and killed this past Wednesday during a college campus event in Utah, was a top conservative activist, culture warrior, and media rockstar for millions of MAGA and right-wing followers. A crucial ally to President Donald Trump, Vance, and Donald Trump Jr., Kirk transformed the Turning Point USA conservative youth organization that he co-founded at age 18 into an extremely influential political powerhouse and a voter turnout machine for Trump in last year’s presidential election. HOW CHARLIE KIRK HELPED FUEL DONALD TRUMP’S RETURN TO THE WHITE HOUSE “I don’t think there’s any singular person who will ever replace Charlie Kirk,” Surabian said. But pointing to Kirk’s inspiration to a generation of younger conservatives, Surabian said, “This is the thing that Charlie would be proudest of, it’s the thing that makes me so proud of Charlie.” UTAH’S GOVERNOR REVEALS POSSIBLE MOTIVE IN CHARLIE KIRK SHOOTING Surabian said he and Kirk first met in 2018 and quickly became “generational peers.” “We would constantly gut check things with each other….both of us respected the political instincts of the other,” Surabian said. “There was an implicit trust.” In a social media post, Surabian wrote that he and Kirk “bonded quickly over our similar political views and closeness in age, and ultimately developed a close friendship. We always had each other’s back. If I needed help, I knew he would always be there for me. If he needed anything, I was always there for him. If there was a candidate for office he vouched for, that was all I needed. If there was a candidate for office I vouched for, that was all he needed.” Surabian said Kirk was the person who introduced him to Vance, ahead of Vance’s successful 2022 campaign for the Senate in Ohio. “I was skeptical, but since Charlie was vouching for him, I was on the phone with JD within the hour. 90 minutes later, after JD and I had hit it off and decided to work together, Charlie excitedly told me I wouldn’t regret it — and he was certainly right about that,” Surabian wrote. Speaking with Fox News, Surabian listed off Kirks’ numerous political attributes. “Charlie was a terrific fundraiser. He was beloved by donors. Charlie was extremely charismatic and was extremely impressive in debates. Charlie was very talented at doing media. He was a great talk show host. Charlie understood how to organize students. Charlie understood messaging and how to deliver a message in a way that even some of the top PR experts in the country couldn’t touch with a 10-point pole. Charlie understood how to organize in politics. Very rarely do figures come along who can put all those things together the way Charlie put it together,” Surabian highlighted. “Never mind the fact that, in addition to all that stuff, he was highly intelligent. And most important of all, he was a fundamentally decent person,” Surabian added. While Kirk had already accomplished much by age 31, Surabian predicted that his friend would have had many chapters to come. “Despite how influential he became, despite how famous he was, I do absolutely believe that he was still at the start of his rise and not at the end of it,” he said. And Surabian said that Kirk “was getting to a place where in a few years I think he had the potential to be the next Rush Limbaugh, and when I say that, anyone who understands the influence that Rush Limbaugh had on the conservative movement knows what a big statement that is.”
From Zapruder to smartphones: Assassination footage reshapes America’s view of political violence
When President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963, it took more than a decade before Americans saw the infamous Zapruder film. Today, the killing of conservative firebrand Charlie Kirk can be replayed in dozens of high-definition clips across social media, reshaping how the nation confronts political violence in real time. “You’ll never have an assassination again that we don’t have footage of,” Tevi Troy, a presidential historian and former secretary of Health and Human Services under the Bush administration, told Fox News Digital. “I have an image in my head of what Lincoln’s assassination might have looked like, but every assassination since the Kennedy era, or even assassination attempts, there’s generally going to be footage about it now, and that’s just a very difficult thing.” CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSINATION: TIMELINE OF UTAH CAMPUS SHOOTING DETAILS ATTACK, MANHUNT FOR SUSPECT The Zapruder footage of Kennedy’s assassination remained largely unseen by the public until 1975, when it aired on national television more than a decade after his death. Its grainy frames shocked viewers. Americans, at the time, were “much more dependent on what the caretakers of the culture would put on TV,” Troy said, and if a broadcast was missed, there was often no second chance to see it. “The gatekeepers controlled what you saw.” In the minutes after Kirk was shot in the neck on his “American Comeback Tour” at the Utah Valley University on Wednesday, graphic video clips captured by bystanders using phones flooded social platforms like X, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram and YouTube. Traditional outlets held back from airing the moment of impact, but social media users shared multiple angles — including real-time replays and slowed-down segments — many without content warnings or editing. YOUTH LEADERS MOURN ‘THE GODFATHER OF CAMPUS CONSERVATISM’ CHARLIE KIRK FOLLOWING ASSASSINATION “Desensitizing is the right word. … It’s not good for you,” Troy said when asked what the impact of such high-speed graphic footage could do to the public. “It’s not good for your soul. It’s not a question of not being available. It is available. Then you have to make an effort not to see it,” he said. Troy noted that in the immediate aftermath of Kirk’s killing, some voices on the left appeared to rationalize or downplay the violence, while others rushed to frame the suspect’s background in ways that minimized political fallout for their side. He called the reaction “a ghoulish exercise.” PASTOR RECALLS LAST MOMENTS WITH CHARLIE KIRK: AN ‘AMERICAN MARTYR’ “There’s a horrible tragedy where this person who just wants to have political conversations was murdered with three young kids,” Troy said. “But this is where we are today. If there is political violence, they want to make sure it’s framed in such a way that it doesn’t bring their side down.” Kirk, 31, was killed Wednesday by suspected shooter Tyler Robinson while answering a question at Utah Valley University. He leaves behind his wife and two children, ages one and three.
Montana GOP Rep Ryan Zinke calls assassination of Charlie Kirk a ‘watershed moment’
Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mont., said the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk was a “watershed moment,” stressing that Americans should be able to have political disagreements without engaging in violence. Zinke made the comments on Friday during an appearance on NewsNation’s show “The Hill,” when he cited earlier remarks by Utah Gov. Spencer Cox as he expressed disappointment that differences in political viewpoints have led to violent attacks. “We should look and reflect,” Zinke said on Friday. “This is, you know, as the governor pointed out, a watershed moment. So, the watershed moment depends on what this country does.” “Are we going to continue this?” the congressman continued. “Are we going to continue to not be able to have dialogue and talk to your neighbor?” TURNING POINT USA ANNOUNCES MASSIVE PUBLIC MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR CHARLIE KIRK AT ARIZONA FOOTBALL STADIUM Kirk, the 31-year-old co-founder of Turning Point USA, was assassinated by a gunman on the campus of Utah Valley University on Wednesday afternoon. He was transported to a hospital in critical condition before he was later pronounced dead. The alleged gunman was identified as 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, whose family persuaded him to turn himself in after a multi-day manhunt. During a news conference on Friday, Cox called for civility and for people on both sides of the political aisle to de-escalate and to step away from political frustrations and “choose a different path.” “This is our moment: Do we escalate, or do we find an off-ramp? It’s a choice,” Cox said. VIGILS HELD ACROSS US AFTER ASSASSINATION OF CHARLIE KIRK: ‘WE MUST HEAL’ “For the last 48 hours, I have been as angry as I have ever been, as sad as I have ever been … and as anger pushed me to the brink, it was actually Charlie’s words that pushed me back. Charlie said, ‘When people stop talking, that’s when you get violence,’” Cox added. Zinke similarly urged people to engage in political dialogue without turning to violence. He also said statements he has seen on social media were “disheartening” after recent instances of political violence this year. “You see, you know, an assassination attempt,” Zinke said on Friday. “You see a political assassination in Minnesota. You see one with Charlie Kirk. You know a father. You know a great patriot, a loving husband. You know, assassinated. And ironically, his assassination was over his message, which was, ‘Let’s have a dialogue. Let’s talk.’” “In our country, the strength is that, you know, we may agree or disagree, but disagreement should never result in violence,” he continued. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Zinke referenced an incident in June for which Vance Boelter was charged with killing former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman, a Democrat, her husband, Mark, and their dog at their home in Minneapolis. Boelter was also charged with shooting Minnesota state Sen. John Hoffman, also a Democrat, and his wife, Yvette, and for attempting to shoot their daughter, Hope. Other acts of political violence in recent years include President Donald Trump surviving assassination attempts last year and Paul Pelosi, the husband of Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., being attacked with a hammer in 2022. Zinke’s office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Trump claims FBI deployment reduced Memphis crime as city faces potential National Guard intervention
President Donald Trump on Saturday said the “only reason crime is somewhat down” in Memphis, Tennessee, is because he sent the FBI and other federal officers to address the “absolutely terrible crime numbers” over the past five months. In a Truth Social post, Trump added he has done the same in Chicago and Los Angeles. “But the real work by us has barely begun,” Trump wrote. “That happens after we make the official announcement that WE’RE COMING, and when we do that, as we did in now VERY SAFE WASHINGTON, D.C., the no crime “miracle” begins. ONLY I CAN SAVE THEM!!!” TRUMP EYES FEDERAL TAKEOVER OF BLUE CITY WITH HIGHEST VIOLENT CRIME RATE IN US: ‘DEEPLY TROUBLED’ The post comes after Trump on Friday said Memphis is the next city he is eyeing for a potential deployment of National Guard troops to address crime. Memphis, which borders the Mississippi River, had the highest violent crime rate and third-highest murder rate in the U.S. in 2024, according to data provided by the White House. So far this year, nearly 150 homicides have been reported in the city. MEMPHIS REP TORCHES ‘TRUMP SHOW 2.0’ WITH NATIONAL GUARD, SAYS DC ISN’T SAFER AFTER LAST CRACKDOWN Republican Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee said in an X post he is “grateful for the president’s unwavering support and commitment to providing every resource necessary to serve Memphians.” “I look forward to working with local officials and law enforcement to continue delivering results,” Lee wrote. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., added Trump had “answered [her] call” to make Memphis safe again, noting she supports the deployment of National Guardsmen following his “tremendous success” in reducing violent crime in the nation’s capital. CHICAGO CRIME, NATIONAL GUARD PUSH MOVE TO FOREFRONT OF TRUMP’S WEEK While Memphis Mayor Paul Young said he supports focused federal initiatives, other local officials have been less than optimistic. Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris previously told Fox News Digital on Friday the announcement was “disappointing, anti-democratic and violates American norms and possibly U.S. laws.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP “In the short term, the president’s incursion will likely cause confusion and fear in many of our communities, particularly the most vulnerable ones,” Harris said. “In the long term, the mark of Tennessee communities being occupied by federal forces will hurt our state’s reputation for generations.” Fox News Digital’s Cameron Arcand, Charles Creitz and Peter Burke contributed to this report.
Erika Kirk’s first speech since husband’s assassination sparks massive TPUSA chapter surge nationwide
Turning Point USA leaders announced the organization received 18,000 new chapter requests after founder Charlie Kirk‘s wife, Erika, addressed the nation for the first time since her husband’s assassination. Republican Minnesota state Rep. Elliott Engen shared a screenshot Saturday of a conversation with a TPUSA leader, where they said they had received 18,000 requests to start chapters at colleges and high schools. Prior to Erika’s speech, TPUSA reported having 9,000 college chapters and 1,100 high school chapters. “This is the Turning Point” the TPUSA leader wrote in the text exchange. WHO IS ERIKA KIRK?: WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE LATE CHARLIE KIRK’S WIDOW FROM THEIR LOVE STORY TO HIS LEGACY The new chapter requests come after Kirk was assassinated Wednesday while speaking at an event at Utah Valley University. The alleged shooter, Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old Utah resident, was turned in by his father Friday and is facing aggravated murder charges. ERIKA KIRK BREAKS SILENCE AFTER HUSBAND CHARLIE’S ASSASSINATION WITH ADDRESS AT TURNING POINT USA HEADQUARTERS In a viral live stream from Kirk’s office Friday, Erika said her husband’s work and message — centered on faith, patriotism and moral conviction — will not die. She said his mission will become “stronger, bolder, louder and greater than ever,” encouraging young people to join or create Turning Point USA chapters if there is not one in their area. “He wants you to make a difference, and you can,” Erika said. “The movement is not going anywhere, and it will only grow stronger when you join it.” CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSINATION: TIMELINE OF UTAH CAMPUS SHOOTING DETAILS ATTACK, MANHUNT FOR SUSPECT In an Instagram post sharing photos of her husband lying in his casket, she added, “they have no idea what they just ignited within this wife.” “If they thought my husband’s mission was big now..you have no idea,” she wrote. “You. All of you. Will never. Ever. Forget my husband @charliekirk1776 I’ll make sure of it.” Turning Point USA and Turning Point Action did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s requests for comment.