Fox News Politics Newsletter: From Pentagon Ceremony to Yankees Game, Trump Observes 9/11 Anniversary
Welcome to the Fox News Politics newsletter, with the latest updates on the Trump administration, Capitol Hill and more Fox News politics content. Here’s what’s happening… -Charlie Kirk’s assassination only the latest in increasing political violence across the country -Ryan Routh chastised during opening statements in federal trial of attempted Trump assassination for ‘making a mockery’ -What is a bolt action rifle? What we know about the gun used to kill Charlie Kirk President Donald Trump announced earlier this month that he will attend the New York Yankees game against the Detroit Tigers on the 24th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks. Trump has attended numerous sporting events over the years but has not attended a baseball game during his second term. In 2019, Trump, then in his first term as president, attended Game 5 of the World Series between the Washington Nationals and Houston Astros in the nation’s capital. He also attended the World Series between the Astros and Atlanta Braves in 2021, roughly a year after losing the 2020 election to former President Joe Biden…Read more JURY LOCKED IN: Ryan Routh trial begins after jury seated in Trump assassination attempt case PATRIOT DOWN: Trump to award Charlie Kirk Medal of Freedom after campus assassination GULF STRAINS: Israel’s strike in Qatar triggers rare US rebuke, tests Trump’s Gulf diplomacy HONOR TO ACTION: Lawmakers mark 9/11 at Ground Zero as New York remains a bullseye for terror threats ‘TENDER-HEARTED LEADER’: Pastor recalls last moments with Charlie Kirk: an ‘American martyr’ POLS SPEAK OUT: Boys suspended in transgender locker room controversy spark GOP backlash in Virginia INSERT KICKER HERE: Charlotte mayor sidesteps Trump’s death penalty demand in stabbing case VISA CRACKDOWN: State Department warns it will revoke visas of foreigners who ‘glorify violence’ after Kirk shooting TRUMP’S ‘AVATAR’: Architect of LA ICE raids reportedly arrives in Chicago as focus shifts to Windy City, agent’s history Get the latest updates on the Trump administration and Congress, exclusive interviews and more on FoxNews.com.
What to know about Utah Valley University’s Losee Center, the shooter’s possible perch in Charlie Kirk killing
OREM, Utah — Utah State Police blocked the perimeter of the Losee Center at Utah Valley University Thursday morning as the manhunt continues for the assassin of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk. Authorities confirmed Wednesday the shot that killed Kirk came from the roof of a campus building about 200 yards away from where Kirk was delivering his remarks. While authorities have not confirmed the shots came from the Losee Center Wednesday, state police cars blocked incoming traffic outside the Losee Center Thursday as authorities investigated in and around the school building. Videos captured by eyewitnesses Wednesday showed a person in dark clothing running on a campus building. PERSON OF INTEREST IN CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSINATION PICTURED IN PHOTOS RELEASED BY FBI “We have tracked his movements onto the campus through the stairwells, up to the roof, across the roof to a shooting location,” Beau Mason, Utah Department of Public Safety commissioner, told reporters Thursday. CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSINATION: DISPATCH AUDIO REVEALS SUSPECT IN BLACK TACTICAL GEAR, CARRYING LONG GUN “After the shooting, we were able to track his movements as he moved to the other side of the building, jumped off of the building and fled off of the campus and into a neighborhood,” Mason added. Mason said authorities have “good video footage” of the shooter on the roof where shots were fired they are using to identify the suspect. According to UVU’s website, the campus is closed until Monday, Sept. 15. While students have been advised to stay away from campus, media and law enforcement have remained on campus with the investigation still underway. Journalists were allowed to drive through campus on Thursday. However, there were several Utah State Police vehicles parked outside the Losee Center, marking a perimeter where authorities said the investigation was ongoing. State troopers did not provide a timeline for when the building would reopen to the media. “Items left in the Courtyard and Losee Center are not available to be picked up at this time due to the investigation,” according to the message on the school’s website. Losee Center for Student Success, known as the Losee Center or “LC” for short, is a student resource center. Students can seek personal and professional guidance at the center from school specialists, coordinators and other counselors, according to UVU’s website. Utah’s Department of Public Safety indicated Thursday afternoon that the investigation is “fast-moving and constantly evolving.” According to the latest media advisory, as of Thursday afternoon, law enforcement is investigating multiple leads, but no suspect is in custody. “A high-powered bolt-action rifle was recovered in a wooded area where the shooter had fled. Experts from the FBI are analyzing the weapon. There are reportedly photos of a weapon and various details about that firearm and ammunition, including inscriptions and symbols,” the department shared, painting a picture of the suspected shooter’s escape route. Investigators have also collected a footwear impression, a palm print and forearm imprints for analysis, according to the media release. Mason told reporters Thursday morning investigators have searched nearby neighborhoods, “contacting anybody they can with doorbell cameras, witnesses and thoroughly worked through those communities, trying to identify any leads.” The FBI is offering up to a $100,000 reward for information leading to the shooter’s identification and arrest. Earlier on Thursday, authorities canceled a press conference scheduled for 12:45 p.m. MT, citing “rapid developments in our investigation.”
Chicago-area mayor, congressional candidate brags about lengths he’s gone to flummox ICE
A Chicago-area mayor and congressional candidate stood by his actions to thwart even passive cooperation with federal immigration enforcement operations as DHS launches “Operation Midway Blitz“ in the area. Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, a Democrat who is running to succeed retiring Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., in 2026, told CNN he is “in the dark” as to DHS’ plans for Illinois in the coming days. He also said he informed residents Tuesday about his concerns and what actions he took in response. “The Trump administration wants to keep us guessing, wants to use our uncertainty to keep us afraid, but the reason that we communicated with our residents this morning is that I got information from a senior state official last night indicating that they had good intel that it was likely that ICE would be coming to Evanston in today and in the coming days.” CHICAGO MAYOR CONCLUDES COUNCIL-DEMANDED PROBE OF CITY POLICE’S ROLE DURING RECENT ICE RAID Biss said he did so for residents to “protect themselves” from federal law enforcement. “We’ve been doing everything we can to protect our residents from before Donald Trump took office, passing strong sanctuary laws to make sure police are not cooperating with federal civil immigration enforcement,” he added. Biss explained he ordered Evanston’s license plate cameras turned off after learning the data was being shared. Unlike red light cameras, which issue tickets, license plate readers are often used to collect and store vehicle data for later retrieval. In some cases, state or federal law enforcement might use the data to track a suspect’s known vehicle, finding that it navigated a certain interchange at a specific time. CHICAGO MAYOR CALLS ICE RAIDS ‘TERRORISM’, SAYS TRUMP’S AMERICA APPEARS ‘AS IF THE CONFEDERACY HAD WON’ Fox News Digital reached out to Biss for further comment but did not hear back by press time. In a separate video Biss recorded while leaving a Mexican Independence Day parade in Chicago, he said he used his “rapid response training to keep an eye out for potential ICE personnel” during the event and “if possible, keep people safe from attack.” “My responsibility was to see which masked individual might, with no warning, just grab people off the street [or] which uniformed personnel might, without warning, attack our people.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP “We’re going to remember for a long time what we did in this moment. Let’s do the right thing,” Biss said. When an X account linked to the Republican National Committee accused Biss of wrongly obstructing federal procedure, he offered a veiled slam at President Donald Trump in return. “Hey, speaking of obstructing things, how’s it going with releasing the Epstein files?” he wrote. Separately, Biss added that authoritarianism is not creeping into society, it “is here.” “History will remember how Chicago stood in solidarity in this moment. Stay strong, stay safe,” he said.
Charlie Kirk warned ‘assassination culture is spreading on the left’ in eerie online post months before murder
Several months prior to Wednesday’s tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University, the slain 31-year-old conservative activist warned his followers on social media that “assassination culture is spreading on the left.” Kirk shared a post April 7 on X.com that cited a Fox News Digital article about a nationally representative study from the Network Contagion Research Institute (NCRI) that found 38% of respondents said it would be at least “somewhat justified” to murder President Donald Trump, and 31% said the same about Elon Musk. But the numbers jump even higher, to 55% for Trump and 48% for Musk, when counting just the left-leaning survey respondents. “Assassination culture is spreading on the left. Forty-eight percent of liberals say it would be at least somewhat justified to murder Elon Musk. Fifty-five percent said the same about Donald Trump,” Kirk wrote in his post on X, citing the NCRI report. “The left is being whipped into a violent frenzy. Any setback, whether losing an election or losing a court case, justifies a maximally violent response.” LIVE UPDATES: MANHUNT FOR CHARLIE KIRK SHOOTER CONTINUES Kirk called the violent momentum a “natural outgrowth of left-wing protest culture.” He accused the culture of tolerating “violence and mayhem,” while also slamming “the cowardice” of local prosecutors and school officials for their complicity in promoting the trend of violent attitudes. “The cowardice of local prosecutors and school officials have turned the left into a ticking time bomb,” Kirk wrote in his post. In Kirk’s post, he also pointed to the fact that voters in California were effectively eulogizing United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson’s murderer Luigi Mangione by naming a state ballot measure after him. It was called the Luigi Mangione Access to Health Care Act, which sought to make it more difficult for medical insurance companies to deny claims for treatments or medications. Wednesday’s assassination of Kirk, who founded the grassroots conservative advocacy group Turning Point USA in 2012, is just the latest incident of conservative figures and institutions being targeted with violence. The fatal shooting comes amid a record over the past four years of conservatives and Republicans encountering violence, a Fox News Digital review found, including two assassination attempts on Trump within about a two-month period in 2024. CHARLIE KIRK PAINTED AS ‘CONTROVERSIAL,’ ‘PROVOCATIVE’ IN MEDIA’S ASSASSINATION COVERAGE Earlier this year, the New Mexico Republican Party’s headquarters faced an arson attack that destroyed the entrance to its Albuquerque headquarters, and graffiti that said “ICE=KKK” was scrawled on the building. The suspect in that case also allegedly attacked a Tesla Albuquerque showroom and was hit with federal charges. The spate of violent incidents at the beginning of this year targeting Tesla car owners, dealerships, charging stations and Republicans in general compelled some GOP lawmakers to cancel public events. GOP Wyoming Rep. Harriet Hageman was one of those lawmakers. Her decision came after an incident in which an attendee of one of her town halls followed Hageman as she left and initiated a physical confrontation with her staff, eventually requiring police to intervene. ANTI-TRUMP VOICES PRAISE CHARLIE KIRK’S LEGACY AFTER ASSASSINATION, SAY HE WAS DOING POLITICS ‘THE RIGHT WAY’ A handful of pro-life activists were also physically attacked this year, including a pro-life journalist who was punched by an interviewee mid-discussion. TPUSA chapters around the nation have faced other incidents of violence this year as well, including when a group of students with Turning Point USA were attacked by masked individuals at University of California, Davis in April, Fox News previously reported. The conservative group was hosting one of its frequently held Prove Me Wrong events on the campus when protesters destroyed camera gear, a tentand signs at the event. They also flipped tables and assaulted TPUSA staff, the group said after the incident happened. Going back to 2023, former NCAA swimmer and conservative political activist Riley Gaines was attacked and barricaded by protesters in a room at San Francisco State University after she went to campus to speak to students about banning biological males who identify as transgender from competing in women’s sports. The event was part of a Turning Point USA and Leadership Institute forum that was taking place on the university’s campus. Meanwhile, churches and pro-life groups have faced dozens upon dozens of attacks dating back to 2022 after the Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision, which effectively ended the recognition of abortion as a constitutional right. The attacks included a “firebombed” pro-life center in Buffalo, New York, in 2022, vandalized Catholic churches that were targets of arson attacks and pro-choice protesters interrupting faith services. The attacks came after a far-left pro-choice group declared in a public letter that it was “open season” on pro-lifers. Notably, in 2017, then-House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, R-La., was shot along with three others when James Hodgkinson, a deranged Bernie Sanders supporter, fired upon an Alexandria, Virginia, baseball field as Republican lawmakers practiced for the annual Congressional Baseball Game. Scalise, who nearly died but ultimately recovered, remains in office and is the House Majority Leader for the Republicans.
Fox News Poll: Trump’s ratings are strong on border security, weak on the economy
While President Donald Trump receives positive reviews on border security and public safety, the economy remains a weakness. Prices are a problem for most voters, as only a small number feel they are getting ahead financially, and more than half think things are worse under the new White House. By a 22-point margin, a Fox News national survey finds that more voters say the Trump administration has made the economy worse (52%) rather than better (30%). Those sentiments are almost identical to how they felt about the Biden administration and are the reverse of how voters felt eight years ago during Trump’s first term. FOX NEWS POLL: VOTERS SUPPORT A THIRD POLITICAL PARTY, BUT NOT IF IT’S ELON MUSK’S The survey was completed before Turning Point USA Founder Charlie Kirk’s assassination Wednesday. Ratings of the economy continue to be negative by more than 2-to-1 (71% negative vs. 29% positive). That’s roughly where things stood when Trump took office. As has been the case for more than four years, fewer than 15% say they are getting ahead financially, while at least three times that number say they are falling behind. FOX NEWS POLL: SUPPORT FOR DEPORTATION DEPENDS ON WHO IS BEING TARGETED Yet, in some areas, voters say things are not as bad. A year ago, 48% said gas prices were a “major” problem for their families. Now 33% feel that way, down 15 points. Likewise, a smaller share says housing costs (by 11 points) and grocery prices (by 8 points) are a major problem. It’s the opposite on utility (+2 points) and healthcare costs (+7), as more people call those a major problem. Still, large majorities describe each of these costs as either a minor or major problem. “The question former President Biden’s team was asking a year ago was whether voters would get used to an $8 dollar box of cereal, and the answer was no,” says Republican pollster Daron Shaw, who conducts Fox News surveys with his Democratic counterpart, Chris Anderson. “I think the Trump team is finding this dynamic still holds. It’s not enough that prices aren’t rising. They need to come down. If not, 2026 will be a bad year for the GOP.” Voters’ persistent negativity about the economy was at least somewhat validated by a recent Labor Department report that showed the 2024 employment estimates were much weaker than initially thought. The economy remains by far the most important issue to voters (37%). That’s followed by immigration and border security (13%), healthcare (11%) and political division (11%). All other issues are in single digits, including crime and guns. Notably, Democrats, Republicans and independents agree the economy is the top issue facing the country. Looking ahead, voters are pessimistic: 62% think life will be worse for the next generation of Americans. That’s up from 53% who felt that way a year ago and is the second highest in Fox News surveys going back to 2002. By a 10-point margin, optimism is higher among parents (44%) than non-parents (34%), and by a 13-point margin, more dads (50%) than moms (37%) think life will be better for their kids. Eight in 10 Democrats and independents think life will be worse, while six in 10 Republicans think it will be better. A year ago, nearly six in 10 Democrats said life would be better for the next generation, while seven in 10 Republicans and six in 10 independents said worse. Approval of Trump on the economy stands at 39%, only one tick higher than his record low, and even fewer voters approve of his handling of tariffs (36%) and the cost of living (32%). While Trump’s ratings are better on immigration (47% approve) and crime (50%), his best marks are on border security, as 57% approve. That’s not only a record on border security, but it’s also his second-highest approval ever on any issue in a Fox News survey (the highest was 60% for “recent hurricanes” in 2017). In addition, 49% approve of ICE, up from 46% in June. Fewer are concerned about crime in their neighborhood: 32% are extremely or very concerned, down from 48% in 2021. Over half approve of the federal government generally playing a role in policing crime in large cities (53%) and specifically of Trump sending National Guard troops to help the police in Washington, D.C. (51%). Currently, 46% like the job Trump is doing overall, while 54% disapprove. His highest approval this term was 49% in March, soon after taking office. Fully 88% of Republicans approve, as do 55% of men under age 45 and 48% of Hispanics. Among all voters, a larger number strongly disapproves of Trump (45%) than strongly approves (25%). That 20-point intensity gap is mostly unchanged since March and is comparable with Biden’s ratings for most of his term. Some 46% of voters also approve of the job Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is doing as secretary of Health and Human Services. His ratings are higher among parents (53%) and dads (57%) than non-parents (43%) and moms (49%). Forty-nine percent approve of Jerome Powell’s performance as chair of the Federal Reserve. About half of those approving of Trump also approve of Powell, and vice versa. Two-thirds of voters think the country has become less united since Trump took office. That’s double the number who feel he has brought people together and worse than the 54% who felt Biden was dividing the country four years ago. Trump’s personal favorable rating is in line with his job approval: 43% view him favorably and 57% unfavorably, for a net negative of 14 points. Vice President JD Vance (-12), former Vice President Kamala Harris (-13), Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (-12), and California Gov. Gavin Newsom (-11) all have about the same net negative favorability as Trump. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker’s marks are underwater by 13 points, yet he is unknown to nearly half of voters. CLICK HERE FOR CROSSTABS AND TOPLINE Three quarters think the president should “always” follow the law, while one quarter
Fox News Poll: Voters want greater involvement in Ukraine, support current approach in Israel
As international conflicts intensify, the highest share of voters prefer that the United States increase support for Ukraine while thinking the current approach in Israel is appropriate. The latest Fox News national survey, released Thursday, also finds that while a majority continues to support the Israelis, a record-high 41% back the Palestinians in the conflict. Support for the Palestinians is up 9 points since March and up 23 points since October 2023, shortly after the Hamas attacks. Compared to March, support for the Palestinians is up across the board, but most notably among Republicans (+6 points) and independents (+15). The Palestinians receive some of their strongest support from voters under age 30 (67%), very liberal voters (67%), Democrats (59%) and non-White voters (55%). FOX NEWS POLL: VOTERS SUPPORT A THIRD POLITICAL PARTY, BUT NOT IF IT’S ELON MUSK’S The backing for Israelis (55%) has been largely stable since January, with support peaking at 68% in October 2023. Regarding the level of U.S. support for Israel, the bulk of voters feels it’s about right (43%), up 8 points since last year. Still, by 14 points, more think the U.S. is too supportive (35%) rather than not supportive enough (21%). Five in 10 Democrats view U.S. backing of Israel as too supportive, while six in 10 Republicans think the backing is about right. Independents are split: 39% too supportive, 27% not enough, 34% about right. FOX NEWS POLL: THE GOP IS SEEN AS MORE LIKELY TO HAVE A CLEAR PLAN FOR THE COUNTRY While a majority of voters blame Hamas for the famine in Gaza (80% very or somewhat responsible), more than two-thirds also feel Israel is responsible (68%). Democrats fault each group about equally (81% Israel, 78% Hamas) while more Republicans (57% Israel, 85% Hamas) and Independents (64% Israel, 71% Hamas) blame Hamas. CLICK HERE FOR CROSSTABS AND TOPLINE Meanwhile, by a 10 percentage-point margin, voters think the U.S. should be doing more to help Ukraine in its war with Russia (39% more vs. 29% less), with another one-third (31%) thinking the effort is adequate. Sentiment remains mostly unchanged since July but is a reversal from a year ago when voters thought we should be doing less by 17 points (40% less, 23% more, 34% about right). The increase in support for helping Ukraine comes mainly from Democrats (+30 points) and independents (+18 points), as views among Republicans shifted toward the U.S. is doing the right amount (+19). President Donald Trump has spoken to both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during the last few weeks to broker a peace deal but to no avail thus far. Trump garners better ratings for his handling of Ukraine (40% approve, 59% disapprove) than on Russia (36% vs. 62%) but is still underwater on both. Some 46% approve of the job the president is doing overall, while 54% disapprove. Conducted Sept. 6-9, 2025, under the direction of Beacon Research (D) and Shaw & Company Research (R), this Fox News survey includes interviews with a sample of 1,004 registered voters randomly selected from a national voter file. Respondents spoke with live interviewers on landlines (119) and cellphones (638) or completed the survey online after receiving a text (247). Results based on the full sample have a margin of sampling error of ±3 percentage points. Sampling error for results among subgroups is higher. In addition to sampling error, question wording and order can influence results. Weights are generally applied to age, race, education, and area variables to ensure the demographics of respondents are representative of the registered voter population. Sources for developing weight targets include the American Community Survey, Fox News Voter Analysis and voter file data.
Inside the mind of a shooter: Profiler breaks down the planning behind high-level assassination attempts
The assassin behind Charlie Kirk‘s murder is still on the lam and is likely an individual who lacks social skills, isolates himself and has only a loose plan for next steps, retired FBI Supervisory Special Agent and profiler James Clemente told Fox News Digital. “In this case, it’s likely that there has been, for some time, a building frustration, and anger and rage and an inability to feel that is addressed. And so they wanted to make a big — a very big — public statement. [The suspect] probably has a very poor self-image and wanted to do something big to feel better about themselves. “And they probably, again, don’t have the skills to address these issues in a calm, rational, interpersonal way. And that’s why they lashed out in this very violent and extreme manner,” Clemente, also the co-host and creator of the show “Real Crime Profile,” told Fox News Digital in a phone interview Thursday. LIVE UPDATES: MANHUNT FOR CHARLIE KIRK SHOOTER CONTINUES Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot by an unidentified individual Wednesday afternoon while attending an event at Utah Valley University as part of his American Comeback Tour. Kirk was a massive voice for the conservative movement, championing faith, family and freedom-focused values for youths, most notably on college campuses through TPUSA. The shocking assassination has not yet yielded a suspect, and the FBI and local law enforcement agencies are poring through evidence to identify and apprehend the individual. CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSINATION: DISPATCH AUDIO REVEALS SUSPECT IN BLACK TACTICAL GEAR, CARRYING LONG GUN Clemente spoke to Fox Digital specifically about a shooter’s pre- and post-offense behavior, noting that the suspect likely dropped hints or divulged details of the planned assassination to friends or family or via social media posts ahead of the violence. “This is not likely a repeat offense for this person. It’s probably the first time that they ever acted out in this way, and, therefore, they probably leaked out information beforehand,” he said, adding the suspect may have dropped information to others while at work to colleagues or while drinking at a bar. CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSINATION SUSPECT EVADES MANHUNT AS INVESTIGATORS ANALYZE SECURITY FOOTAGE High-profile shooters typically drop breadcrumbs of information on their planned attack “because they don’t know for certain that this is what they’re going to do, but they are building up this frustration and anger and rage, and they want to take it out.” The retired FBI profiler added that the suspect is likely not a sophisticated killer and was only “developing” a murderous persona, which would make the individual more prone to speaking openly about the upcoming attack. Police dispatch audio revealed police were on the hunt for a person wearing all black and carrying a long rifle near the university library, Fox News Digital previously reported. Investigators later said they recovered a “high-powered, bolt-action rifle” near the scene after tracing the assassin’s suspected escape route. Police, citing images of a person of interest they obtained, reported the individual appeared to be college-age and “blended in well” with the crowd. “Starting at 11:52 a.m. this subject arrived on campus, shortly away from campus,” Utah Department of Public Safety Director Beau Mason told reporters Thursday. “We have tracked his movements onto the campus through the stairwells, up to the roof across the roof to the shooting location. After the shooting, we were able to track his movements as he moved to the other side of the building, jumped off of the building and fled, off of the campus and into a neighborhood.” VIDEO SHOWS MOMENTS BEFORE ASSASSINATION OF TURNING POINT USA FOUNDER CHARLIE KIRK Clemente, in his breakdown of the suspect’s “post-offense behavior,” said the shooter likely did not map out a next step plan after carrying out the assassination, pointing to how police recovered the rifle tossed near the scene of the tragedy. “He had no idea what was going to happen afterwards, what was going to happen during, whether he was going to get away with it or not. And, so, therefore, he didn’t plan out his after-game,” Clemente said. The retired FBI supervisory special agent added that the suspect is likely showing a guilty hand with odd behaviors, such as making an excuse of facing some type of emergency and needing to abruptly leave his home, job or school. CHARLIE KIRK DEAD AT 31: WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT HIS LEGACY AT TURNING POINT USA “Somebody knows this person. A number of people know this person. A number of people will have some kind of interaction with him, in which he will sort of try to avoid the spotlight until the heat is off of him. And so he may leave the area for kind of a last-minute emergency and then try to come back when everything’s calmed down,” Clemente said. TRUMP RESPONDS TO CHARLIE KIRK SHOOTING: ‘LOVED AND ADMIRED BY ALL’ The FBI is offering up to $100,000 for information leading to the identification and arrest of the suspect or suspects, and FBI Director Kash Patel is heading to Utah Thursday. Clemente stressed to Fox News Digital that the FBI is investigating “everything.” “They’re using whatever technology is available. They’re definitely looking at all videos. There’s literally hundreds and hundreds of videos out there from the students and the attendees at this rally. There’s also cameras out in the real world that I’m certain that they followed this person’s egress and ingress and, that’s how they found the weapon, and it is also how he’s going to be identified,” he said. Kirk, 31, leaves behind his wife Erika and their two children, ages 1 and 3. His casket will be transported to Arizona on Air Force Two, Fox News Digital reported on Thursday. Fox News Digital’s Michael Ruiz contributed to this report.
WATCH: Bipartisan group of lawmakers express shock, grief after Charlie Kirk’s killing
Republican and Democratic lawmakers alike mourned the “horrific” fatal shooting of conservative leader Charlie Kirk Wednesday. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., praised Kirk’s faith and positive message to young people, saying he “leaves a huge legacy.” “It’s going to be hard for anybody to fill his shoes,” she said. “He’s extremely important. Students all over the country would get very excited if they found out he was coming to their college campus. He brought in thousands of people to hear him speak. Even people that didn’t agree with him would come, ask questions, even argue with him. “He would go on college campuses and tell young people to get married and have children and just talk about how wonderful it is to be married and to have children,” she added. “He shared the word of God. He was a Christian, and he shared the gospel of Jesus Christ and encouraged young people.” LIVE UPDATES: MANHUNT FOR CHARLIE KIRK SHOOTER CONTINUES VANCE SHARES HOW HE LEARNED CHARLIE KIRK WAS GUNNED DOWN DURING WEST WING MEETING Greene added that she believes Kirk was “killed for the words that he says and the things that he stood for.” “He was always about the debate, and Charlie Kirk was never for violence. And to see him murdered in such a graphic way in front of the camera and that video is too gruesome,” said Greene. “We’re honestly shocked. We’re devastated,” she said. “I’m at a loss for words, and I’m not often at a loss for words.” Democrats have also expressed grief over Kirk’s death. Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., said, “It’s awful. It’s absolutely awful.” “I’m sorry for his family. There’s no room for political violence in our country, and we all can do more to just condemn it and hopefully that’s the antidote to it, but it’s awful, period,” said Swalwell. MESSAGES FOUND ON CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSIN’S GUN, SOURCES SAY Asked whether he was concerned about the safety of other political figures and members of Congress, Swalwell said, “We don’t have enough resources to protect the people who are threatened around here. But I don’t want to make it about us right now. This is just, it’s awful. “It has no room in our politics, and we can’t normalize political violence.” Rep. Derrick Van Orden, R-Wis., blamed Kirk’s death on the media and Democrats who he accused of “fueling the political violence.” “Every single member of that party that is putting out politically violent statements, and so many of them have, should be censured, and they should be removed from every single one of their committees or more people are going to die,” Orden said. “This didn’t have to happen. It did not,” he added. “But it happened because of the violent political rhetoric coming out of the left being amplified by you people in the press. You are partially responsible for this. For both the assassination attempts for President Trump and for Charlie Kirk being shot.” SPEAKER JOHNSON ADDRESSES HOW A PRAYER IN CONGRESS ‘TURNED INTO AN ARGUMENT’ Pressed on whether both sides of the political aisle share in the responsibility for the ongoing spate of political violence, especially in light of the recent shootings of two Minnesota Democratic lawmakers and their spouses, Orden answered, “It’s horrible, I said the same thing.” “Let’s quit convoluting this issue. The vast majority, by orders of magnitudes, of the politically violent speech is coming out of the left. Period. So, until these people stop doing that, and until you stop trying to drive wedges between Republicans and Democrats and everyday Americans, this is going to happen again and again and again,” he said. “So, every single one of you people needs to go home tonight and do some deep soul-searching. There’s a dead man who left two kids in a widow because of you.”
Charlie Kirk’s murder the latest in increasing political violence nationwide, from PA governor to SCOTUS
Before Charlie Kirk was gunned down on a Utah college campus, political violence was already increasing domestically, from President Donald Trump‘s attempted assassination to the Pennsylvania governor’s mansion being attacked by an arsonist during Passover Seder. Kirk, 31, was shot in the neck by a yet-unknown assassin as he addressed a massive crowd at Utah Valley University on Wednesday. Kirk’s death sparked international outrage and mourning from figures including Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. CHARLIE KIRK PAINTED AS ‘CONTROVERSIAL,’ ‘PROVOCATIVE’ IN MEDIA’S ASSASSINATION COVERAGE “Charlie Kirk was murdered for speaking truth and defending freedom,” said Netanyahu, who called Kirk a “lion-hearted friend of Israel” who had been planning a trip to the Holy Land before he was assassinated. Trump has faced two assassination attempts in recent years. Ryan Routh, the suspect in the second alleged attempt, is currently in court in Fort Pierce, Fla., after he allegedly staked out a nearby golf course on which Trump was playing. In 2024, Trump was shot in the ear by Thomas M. Crooks while he addressed a rally in Butler County, Pa. Crooks, who had traveled from a Pittsburgh suburb, was shot dead by law enforcement, and Trump said he would have been killed if he hadn’t turned his head at the last second to describe a graphic on illegal immigration statistics. CHARLIE KIRK SHOOTING LEADS TO OUTPOURING FROM UTAH OFFICIALS, 2025 NOMS ON BOTH SIDES Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, a likely 2028 Democratic presidential candidate, was allegedly targeted in another attack earlier this year. A man later identified as Cody Balmer of Dauphin County allegedly hopped a security fence, eluding Shapiro’s detail. Shapiro, Pennsylvania first lady Lori Shapiro, their four kids and another family were in the governor’s mansion after just celebrating Passover hours before with members of Harrisburg’s Jewish community. While no one was injured in the blaze, the historic home was severely damaged. “I refuse to be trapped by the bondage that someone attempts to put on me by attacking us as they did here last night. I refuse to let anyone who had evil intentions like that stop me from doing the work that I love.” Balmer’s voter registration was “unaffiliated,” according to The Associated Press, citing Pennsylvania State Police officials who also described the suspect’s use of Molotov cocktails and prior criminal charges. Charged with terrorism, attempted murder and other offenses, Balmer allegedly walked an hour from nearby Penbrook to the governor’s mansion, at the far end of Front Street from the State Capitol. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP After Kirk was shot, Shapiro condemned the attack, saying that Americans “must speak with moral clarity.” “The attack on Charlie Kirk is horrifying and this growing type of unconscionable violence cannot be allowed in our society,” Shapiro said. While running for governor in neighboring New York in 2022, EPA administrator Lee Zeldin was attacked onstage at a campaign event in Perinton, outside Syracuse. Zeldin, joined by running mate Alison Esposito, was addressing rallygoers when a man identified as David Jakubonis walked on stage sporting a blunt object and shouted to the Republican: “You’re done.” Zeldin, a veteran of the Iraq War, quickly grabbed the man’s wrist and a short scuffle ensued, leaving him with what was described as a “scrape.” After Jakubonis was subdued, Zeldin finished his speech. In 2022, Louisville Democratic Mayor Craig Greenberg and several campaign staffers were attacked by a gun-wielding assailant later allegedly identified as a social justice activist who was running for Metro Council in Kentucky’s largest city. Quintez Brown was later sentenced to 17 years in prison after pleading guilty to several charges, according to the Justice Department. Several shots were fired in the incident, and Greenberg’s clothing was grazed by a bullet, but there were no further injuries. Brown allegedly wanted to kill Greenberg to prevent him from winning the election, according to The Associated Press. On June 8, 2022, Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh was allegedly targeted by a California man upset with the ruling overturning Roe v. Wade via the Dobbs decision, as well as recent mass shooting incidents in the U.S. Nicholas Roske planned to break into Kavanaugh’s Chevy Chase, Maryland, home and kill him before killing himself, according to reports. When Roske arrived in the tony Washington suburb, he was noticed by U.S. Marshals stationed at the jurist’s home and left the scene before being arrested.
Trump to award Charlie Kirk Medal of Freedom after campus assassination
President Donald Trump said Thursday he will award Charlie Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously, after the conservative personality was shot and killed on a university campus on Wednesday. “I will soon be awarding Charlie Kirk posthumously, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The day of the ceremony will be announced, and I can only guarantee you one thing. That we will have a very big crowd. Very, very big.” Speaking at a Pentagon ceremony, Trump described Kirk as “a giant of his generation, a champion of liberty and an inspiration to millions and millions of people.” He added that the ceremony date would be announced soon, but promised “a very big crowd. Very, very big.” “I have no doubt that Charlie’s voice and the courage he put into the hearts of countless people, especially young people, will live on,” Trump said. CHARLIE KIRK PAINTED AS ‘CONTROVERSIAL,’ ‘PROVOCATIVE’ IN MEDIA’S ASSASSINATION COVERAGE Kirk, 31, co-founded the conservative student group Turning Point USA in 2012 and built it into one of the most influential youth organizations on the political right. Known for his fiery campus appearances and a massive social media presence, Kirk was a staunch supporter of Trump and a frequent critic of liberal institutions. Kirk was speaking at a “Prove Me Wrong” debate at Utah Valley University, in Orem, Utah, an event where he invited students to challenge his political and cultural views. A shot rang out around noon local time on Wednesday, and Kirk fell from his chair. The shooter remains at large, though the weapon has been recovered. Event organizers estimate some 3,000 people had been in attendance at the school. The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the nation’s highest civilian honor. It is awarded to individuals who have made “especially meritorious” contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, or cultural and public endeavors. Kirk would join a list of recipients from presidents, lawmakers and foreign leaders to athletes, entertainers and human rights figures. ‘DARK MOMENT FOR AMERICA’: TRUMP DECLARES CHARLIE KIRK’S VOICE ‘BIGGER AND GRANDER’ AFTER ASSASSINATION Secretary of War Pete Hegseth also commemorated Kirk during the wreath laying ceremony to mark the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. “The young soldiers who take the oath give me hope. The young cops who wear the badge give me hope. The young firefighters answered the call. Give me hope. The young agents who patrol our border give me hope. The life example and even death of Christ follower, American patriot Charlie Kirk give me hope,” he said. “Sheer courage, no matter the arena. Charlie, we love you know that you have heard the Lord’s words. Well done, good and faithful servant. Full heart, clear eyes.” On Wednesday after the shooting, Trump called it a “dark day for America.” “It’s a long past time for all Americans and the media to confront the fact that violence and murder are the tragic consequence of demonizing those with whom you disagree day after day, year after year,” he said. “For years, those on the radical left have compared wonderful Americans like Charlie to Nazis and the world’s worst mass murderers and criminals.” In death, Trump said, “Charlie’s voice has become bigger and grander than ever before.”