President Donald Trump on Thursday voiced concern for the country in the wake of the killing of conservative activist Charlie Cook, and said he wanted his supporters to respond with “nonviolence.”
Trump was also pressed on how he wants his supporters to respond, as tensions remain high in Washington and around the country.
That’s the way I’d like to see people respond,” Trump said.
Trump was asked if he was concerned that authorities have not yet apprehended the person who killed Charlie Kirk, now more than 24 hours after the shooting.
Trump said he spoke to Kirk’s wife, Erika, and that she was “absolutely devastated.”
Following the murder of conservative activist Charlie Cook, President Donald Trump expressed concern for the nation on Thursday and called on his supporters to react with “nonviolence.”. “..”.
During his Thursday afternoon departure from the White House for New York, Trump was asked if he was concerned about his personal safety following Kirk’s shooting death on Wednesday.
“Not really,” the president said. It truly worries me about our nation. We live in a wonderful country. There are radical leftists out there who are complete and utter crazy, and we will solve that issue. All I care about is the nation. “,”.
As tensions continue to rise in Washington and across the nation, Trump was also questioned about how he wants his supporters to react.
“He supported the use of nonviolence. “That’s how I want people to react,” Trump stated.
Kirk, a close Trump ally and a friend of many administration officials, was shot Wednesday at a Utah Valley University event. Later that day, Trump made his passing public.
The hunt for Kirk’s killer is on. The suspect is thought to be a college-aged person, according to officials, and the FBI announced on Thursday that it had found what is thought to be the gun the shooter used. Additionally, authorities made pictures of a person of interest public and promised a reward of up to $100,000 for information that would help identify and apprehend the murderer of Kirk.
Trump was questioned about whether he was worried that, more than twenty-four hours after the shooting, the murderer of Charlie Kirk has still not been caught.
“Well, I hear they’re making big progress, and we’ll have to see what happens,” Trump stated.
In addition, Trump claimed to have “an indication” as to the shooting’s motivation, but he gave reporters no further details, saying only, “We’ll let you know about that later.”. “.
According to Trump, Kirk’s wife Erika was “completely devastated” when he spoke with her. Kirk leaves behind his spouse and their two young children.
Trump declared earlier in the day that he would give Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously.
“Charlie was a giant of his generation, a champion of liberty and an inspiration to millions and millions of people,” Trump began his presentation at a memorial service held at the Pentagon to mark the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
In response to Kirk’s death, the White House rescheduled Thursday’s 9/11 ceremony at the Pentagon to the Pentagon’s courtyard, away from the 9/11 memorial where the solemn ceremony has been held for decades.
“Charlie’s voice and courage put into the hearts of countless people, especially young people, will live on,” the president said, adding that “we miss him greatly.”.
The highest civilian honor in the United States is the Presidential Medal of Freedom. A. Trump stated that the ceremony’s date would be revealed soon and that he expected a sizable crowd.
A source told ABC News that Kirk’s family and several of his close friends were scheduled to meet with Vice President JD Vance and second lady Usha Vance in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Thursday.
The source also confirmed that Kirk’s casket, his family, and friends were scheduled to be flown to Phoenix, Arizona, on Air Force Two.
In a lengthy social media post expressing his grief, Vance called Kirk a “true friend.”. “,”.
“The type of man you could say something to and know it would always stay with him,” Vance wrote on X. “Charlie and the individuals he introduced me to over the years are on a number of group chats with me. We break each other’s backs, celebrate babies and weddings, and lament the passing of loved ones. We discuss sports, life, politics, and policy. Members of our government’s highest echelons participate in these group chats. They loved him, trusted him, and knew he would always be there for them. “.
