President Donald Trump on Thursday voiced concern for the nation within the wake of the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, and stated he wished his supporters to reply with “nonviolence.”
Trump was requested if he is fearful for his personal security within the wake of Wednesday’s deadly capturing of Kirk as he left the White Home for New York on Thursday afternoon.
“Not likely,” the president responded. “I am actually involved for our nation. We’ve an amazing nation. We’ve a radical left group of lunatics on the market, simply absolute lunatics, and we’ll get that downside solved. I am solely involved for the nation.”
Trump was additionally pressed on how he desires his supporters to reply, as tensions stay excessive in Washington and across the nation.
“He was an advocate of nonviolence. That is the best way I might wish to see individuals reply,” Trump stated.
President Donald Trump speaks to the media earlier than boarding Marine One upon departure for New York, in Washington, D.C., Sept. 11, 2025.
Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters
Kirk, a close ally of Trump and a pal to many within the administration, was shot throughout an occasion at Utah Valley College on Wednesday. Trump later that day introduced his loss of life.
A manhunt for Kirk’s killer is underway. The FBI stated on Thursday it has recovered what’s believed to be the weapon utilized by the shooter, and officers stated the suspect is believed to be a college-aged particular person. Authorities additionally launched photographs of an individual of curiosity and supplied a reward of as much as $100,000 for info resulting in the identification and arrest of the particular person answerable for Kirk’s homicide.
Trump was requested if he was involved that authorities haven’t but apprehended the one that killed Charlie Kirk, now greater than 24 hours after the capturing.
“Effectively, I hear they’re making massive progress, and we’ll need to see what occurs,” Trump stated.
Trump additionally stated he has “a sign” in regards to the motive behind the capturing however did not share extra, solely telling reporters, “We’ll let you recognize about that later.”
Trump stated he spoke to Kirk’s spouse, Erika, and that she was “completely devastated.” Kirk is survived by his wife and their two young children.
Earlier within the day, Trump introduced he’ll posthumously award Kirk with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
“Charlie was an enormous of his technology, a champion of liberty and an inspiration to tens of millions and tens of millions of individuals,” Trump stated on the prime of his remarks at a memorial occasion on the Pentagon to commemorate the anniversary of the 9/11 terror assaults.
Donald Trump and Melania Trump attend a September eleventh observance occasion within the courtyard of the Pentagon September 11, 2025 in Arlington, Virginia.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Photos
The White Home moved Thursday’s 9/11 ceremony on the Pentagon into the courtyard, away from the 9/11 memorial the place the somber ceremony has been held for many years, in gentle of Kirk’s killing.
“We miss him drastically, but I’ve little doubt that Charlie’s voice and braveness put into the hearts of numerous individuals, particularly younger individuals, will stay on,” the president stated in these remarks.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the best civilian award within the U.S. Trump stated that the day of the ceremony could be introduced quickly, including he thought it could certainly draw a giant crowd.
Vice President JD Vance and second woman Usha Vance have been to satisfy with Kirk’s household and quite a lot of his shut mates in Salt Lake Metropolis, Utah, on Thursday, a supply confirmed to ABC Information.
Vice President JD Vance speaks to the press after paying his respects to victims of the Annunciation Catholic Church capturing in Minneapolis, Minnesota, September 3, 2025.
Alex Wroblewski/Pool by way of Reuters
Kirk’s casket, alongside together with his household and mates, was then going to be flown to Phoenix, Arizona, aboard Air Power Two, the supply additionally confirmed.
Vance mourned Kirk in a protracted social media put up, during which he described Kirk as a “true pal.”
“The form of man you might say one thing to and know it could all the time stick with him,” Vance wrote on X. “I’m on quite a lot of group chats with Charlie and folks he launched me to over time. We have a good time weddings and infants, bust one another’s chops, and mourn the lack of family members. We speak about politics and coverage and sports activities and life. These group chats embrace individuals on the very highest degree of our authorities. They trusted him, cherished him, and knew he’d all the time have their backs.”
