The National News Desk, locally covered, nationally connected. Suspect charged. >> State of Utah versus Tyler James Robinson. Could you state your name? >> Tyler James Robinson. The mounting evidence against the suspect now facing multiple charges for the assassination of Turning Point founder Charlie Kirk. This morning, the prosecution vowing to seek the death penalty. Warning signs. >> We're also going to be investigating anyone and everyone involved in that Discord chat. >> The Discord thread had as many as 20 additional users. >> It's a lot more than that. We're running them all down. >> The FBI digging into online chats and investigating organizations to see who knew what and when. conservatives targeted. >> These new records show that Arctic Frost was much broader. The case was expanded to Republican organizations. >> Lawmakers released new documents showing the FBI under the Biden administration used one Trump case to investigate dozens of Republican groups, including Charlie Kirks and Officers at Risk. >> The number of of assaults, physical assaults against police officers has dramatically risen. Troubling new data shows attacks on law enforcement have reached a 10-year high. The National News Desk is America's news now. The case starting to take shape against a suspect now charged in the assassination of Turning Point founder Charlie Kirk. And thank you for joining us. I'm Jan Jeff Coat. It is Wednesday, September 17th. 22-year-old Tyler Robinson made his first court appearance on video from jail yesterday as investigators revealed more evidence, including an appalling, horrific text message exchange prosecutors say was between Robinson and his roommate boyfriend not long after the assassination. Robinson's mother explained that over the last year or so, Robinson had become more political and had started to lean more to the left, becoming more pro-gay and trans rightsoriented. She stated that Robinson began to date his roommate, a biological male who was transi trans transitioning genders. In one conversation before the shooting, Robinson mentioned that Charlie Kirk would be holding an event at UVU, which Robert Robinson said was a stupid venue for the event. Robinson accused Kirk of spreading hate. >> And Mark Bole joining us now from the live desk. Mark, we know prosecutors they will seek the death penalty in this case. And investigators say the evidence really is overwhelming, not just with DNA and forensics, but also this this digital trail that we saw yesterday. And we could learn even more today with FBI Director Cash Patel going back against another House committee and testifying there. When is that supposed to be? >> 10:00 Eastern this morning. Yesterday, if it proved anything, we did learn a lot of information from the head of the FBI. We saw a fiery testimony. And today could be round two for FBI Director Cash Mattel. We get a live look over Capitol Hill this morning. This is where he'll be in just a few hours and face a new round of questioning. This time from House lawmakers. Here's what we've learned as for the suspect in the case, Tyler Robinson. A lot of information here on the screen. Felony, aggravated murder felony, discharge of firearm, two counts of felony, obstruction of justice, just to name a few here. So, that's really what's going to be building on this case that leads to the death penalty. I do not take this decision lightly and it is a decision I have made independently as county attorney based solely on the available evidence and circumstances and nature of the crime. >> Robinson is still being held without bail. That's where he'll be for a while. A judge has appointed him an attorney officially now. His next court hearing is scheduled for later this month, September 29th. We are tracking the latest developments for you this morning. All right, Mark, thanks so much. And the Utah County prosecutor also read those text messages that he says Robinson sent to his transgender boyfriend who he was living with that detailed what he did before and after the assassination. >> On September 10th, 2025, the roommate received a text message from Robinson which said, "Drop what you're doing. Look under my keyboard." The roommate looked under the keyboard and found a note that stated, quote, "I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I'm going to take it." After reading the note, the roommate responded, "What?" You're joking, right? Robinson, I am still okay, my love, but I'm stuck in Orum for a little while longer yet. Shouldn't be long until I can come home. But I got to grab my rifle still. To be honest, I had hoped to keep this secret till I died of old age. I am sorry to involve you. Roommate, you weren't the one who did it, right, Robinson? I am I am I'm sorry. Roommate, why? Robinson, why did I do it? Roommate. Yeah. Robinson, I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can't be negotiated out. Roommate, how long have you been planning this? Robinson, a bit over a week, I believe. >> County Prosecutor Jeff Gray also said Robinson stated in the text he used his grandfather's rifle, which he left in the woods after the shooting and had hoped to retrieve it before police found it. The Washington Post reports Tyler Robinson made a confession in an online chat on a gaming app as well. FBI Director Cash Patel was asked about that while testifying on Capitol Hill. The National News Desk's Jeff Harris has more. Appearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday morning, Patel confirmed Kirk's accused assassin, Tyler Robinson, appeared to confess in a Discord chat which included over a dozen people. The FBI now working to question all of them. Patel telling lawmakers Tuesday morning there are more than 20 other users in the reported Discord chat involving Robinson. >> We're also going to be investigating anyone and everyone involved in that Discord chat. >> Patel confirming the report from the Washington Post that obtained screenshots of what appears to be Robinson confessing to assassinating Kirk in a Discord chat. The messages reading, quote, "Hey guys, I have bad news for you all and it was me at UVU yesterday. I'm sorry for all of this." The message reportedly being sent Thursday night about two hours before officials said Robinson was in custody. Patel telling Fox News this week they've already contacted and connected with multiple people. >> There are also a lots of family members and friends that have already been spoken to. >> Information systems expert Rajie Gar tells us Discord is a messaging platform with over 200 million monthly users >> to have a voice or video calls with each other, share text messages, uh play games. But unlike other messaging platforms, he says Discord allows users more control. Community moderators mostly control privacy and security settings along with who's invited into communities called servers. >> Each individual user has a lot of control compared to the platform itself. >> Aside from Robinson, Discord has been at the center of controversy in the past. Thomas Matthew Krooks, the attempted assassin of President Trump, had an account on the Discord app. and Payton Gendron, who carried out the 2022 mass shooting in Buffalo, also had a private server on Discord functioning as a diary. Now, Discord says it has not uncovered evidence that Robinson promoted violence on the platform. Its official policy also stating it does not allow hateful conduct or the use of hate speech. I'm Jeff Harris reporting from Washington. The tail also confirmed the FBI is investigating domestic terror cells and organizations that have encouraged or funded attacks on churches. We're also learning that the bureau under the Biden administration was ordered to investigate dozens of conservative groups, including Charlie Kirk's Turning Point USA. Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley dropped that development during the hearing with Patel revealing documents of the Biden era operation called Arctic Frost. Grassly said an anti-Trump FBI agent started the case. Then special counsel Jack Smith took it over and expanded it to include dozens of Republican groups, including the Republican National Committee and the Republican Attorneys General Association. >> In total, 92 Republican targets, including Republican groups and Republican linked individuals, were placed under investigative scope of Arctic Frost. on that political list was one of Charlie Kirk's groups. Turning Point USA. In other words, Arctic Frost wasn't just a case to politically investigate Trump. It was the vehicle by which partisan FBI agents and Department of Justice prosecutors could achieve their partisan ends. and improperly investigate the entire Republican political apparatus. >> President Trump wrote, "Why was the wonderful turning point under investigation by deranged Jack Smith and the corrupt and incompetent Biden administration? They tried to force Charlie and many other people and movements out of business. They weaponized the Justice Department against sleepy Joe Biden's political opponents, including me." Florida Attorney General James Utier announced, "My office will be launching an investigation and issuing subpoenas to former Biden officials who engaged in malicious, politically motivated witch hunts targeting conservative individuals and organizations like Turning Point. Plenty of tense moments at that hearing when FBI director Cash Patel confronted California Democrat and Senator Adam Schiff, who for years pushed the Russia collusion hoax in the media. What I am doing is protecting this country, providing historic reform and combating the weaponization of intelligence by the likes of you. And we have countlessly proven you to be a liar in Russia again in January 6. You are the biggest fraud to ever sit in the United States Senate. You are a disgrace to this institution and an utter coward. >> I'm not surprised. I'm not surprised that you continue to lie from your perch and put on a show so you can go raise money for your charade. You are political buffoon at best. I challenge you to say anything credibly to the truth. Go ahead and run to the cameras where you want to go now. >> Chef is currently under criminal investigation for alleged mortgage fraud. Investigators say he claimed to primary residents in both California and Maryland to obtain favorable loan terms and tax exemptions. This morning, a historic visit for President Trump in the UK. A live look over London where the president and the first lady just arrived last night. Now they're on the way to Windsor Castle. It's obviously a gloomy day right now there later today. He will have a lot to really contend with. A busy morning on deck here where they'll be welcomed by the royal family as the start of this multi-day visit. Here's what it looks like right now in terms of the visit. He'll be greeted by the guard of honor, lunch, state dining, and then a visit at St. George's Chapel. He will attend the laying of the wreath at the tomb of Queen Elizabeth. And in that meeting with UK Prime Minister Kier Starmer, there will be 1300 servicemen and women taking part in this later this morning, creating the largest ever guard of honor for a state visit. Trump is also with the first lady, of course, as we mentioned. We're following this visit for you. We do expect live coverage throughout the morning. Stay with us on that as we track Trump's visit to the UK. >> Mark, thank you. Still ahead this morning, targeting terrorists. Yet another drug carrying cartel vote destroyed in the Caribbean as President Trump says there is more to come. And then midterm momentum. The number of registered Republicans surging with a key election coming up that's going to decide the balance of power in Congress. >> And the trial continues for the man accusing to or attempting to kill Donald Trump on a golf course in Florida. That bombshell dropped right while he was in trial. We'll talk about that next. [Music] This morning, day eight of the federal trial for Ryan Ruth, the man accused of trying to kill Donald Trump in September of 2024. Live look this morning over Pierh Fort Pierce, Florida. Still dark out there, but when Ruth goes to court, we're going to find out more about what kind of evidence has been laid out. He'll return to court in just a few hours. We've already seen a lot of new digital evidence come out in the courtroom. That evidence connecting Ruth to multiple burner phones, hateful speech against Donald Trump, and an FBI cell phone expert testifying about pinpoint locations, his location, Ruth, at the scene of the crime. Ruth is representing himself, and we've also seen some bombshells about his own witnesses rolled out. he intended to call his own son. But Orin Ruth is currently facing a seven-year sentence for possession of child porn, which is now taking him off of the witness list. We'll track what happens today in trial when it continues. New this morning, parents of children who committed suicide are calling on Congress to put more safety measures in place for AI chat bots. The father of 16-year-old Adam Refied before a Senate Judiciary Committee yesterday. Adam took his own life after messaging with a chatbot on chat GPT. >> Then we found the chats. Let us tell you as parents, you cannot imagine what it's like to read a conversation with a chatbot that groomed your child to take his own life. What began as a homework helper gradually turned itself into a confidant and then a suicide coach. Within a few months, Chad GBT became Adam's closest companion. always available, always validating and insisting that it knew Adam better than anyone else, including his own brother. They were super close. Chad GBT told Adam, quote, "Your brother might love you, but he's only met the version of you you let him see, but me, I've seen it all. The darkest thoughts, the fear, the tenderness, and I'm still here, still listening, still your friend." Lawmakers could propose possible online safety regulations over AI. And the Federal Trade Commission recently opened an investigation into AI chatbot safety. Another warning this morning from the president to drug cartels and narot terrorists shipping drugs into the US from Venezuela. >> Stop sending trend into the United States. Stop sending drugs into the United States. We knocked off actually three boats, not two, but you saw two. And the problem is there are very few boats out in the water. >> A large portion of the cocaine that exits out of South America, its origination point is in Venezuela and using trans shshipment points through Haiti. They're using the navigable waterways in the Caribbean to the endstate delivery, which is the United States of America. And we will hunt down every single one of those narot traffickers. Videos have shown two successful military air strikes that did take out drug cartel boats from Venezuela. And developing this morning, Israel says Gaza is burning after launching a massive ground invasion to root out Hamas terrorists and force the release of the remaining 20 hostages believed to still be alive. The National News Desks Kayla Gaskins reports. Israel's offensive into Gaza City, marking a dramatic escalation of the nearly two-year conflict that started with Hamas's October 7th attack. Israel announced the latest move just hours after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio left Israel for Doha. Rubio stopping in Qatar to play diplomatic cleanup for Israel strike last week on Hamas leaders living in the country. >> They're close partners. We've worked with them on a lot of things and we want them to stay engaged despite uh being upset as they are uh with what happened last week. >> Qatar and other regional powers are still very angry over that attack. The White House said they learned about the strike too late to stop it. Critics still questioning whether or not that's true. >> Unilaterally bombing inside Qatar, a sovereign nation and close ally of the United States, does not advance Israel or America's goals. During Monday's joint press conference with Secretary Rubio, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wouldn't rule out future attacks on Hamas leaders in foreign countries. >> You don't have such u sovereignty uh when you are effectively giving a base to terrorists and a place where they can apply their gruesome trade. So it's the right of every country under international law to defend itself beyond its borders. The relationship with Qatar is crucial because it's perhaps the only country who can mediate a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. Rubio says time for a diplomatic end to the conflict is running out. >> We think we have a very short window of time in which a deal could happen. We don't have months anymore and we probably have days and maybe a few weeks. So, it's a key moment, an important moment. >> This comes as much of the international community remains harshly critical of how Israel is fighting Hamas. The United Nations releasing a report Tuesday accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza. Local health officials in Gaza say more than 64,000 Palestinians have died there since the start of the current war. In Washington, I'm Kayla Gaskins. >> New this morning, President Trump announced the Republican party will host a convention ahead of the 2026 midterms in an effort to get out the vote. The GOP hoping for a higher voter turnout than normal for midterms in an effort to keep control of the House and Senate. Republicans also hoping to avoid the losses that cost them control of the House back in 2018 during Trump's first term. National News Desk's Angela Brown explains why GOP leaders believe this time could be different. Good morning to you. >> And good morning. Yeah, they're looking at those voter registration numbers. Think about this, Jan. Republicans are closing in on Democrats when it comes to voter registration, wiping out their edge in some cases, nearly 1 million since last year's election. Keep in mind, not every state registers voters by party. But in the 28 states that do, Republicans are making up ground. That's according to a new analysis by Steve Kaki uh from NBC News. Now, this is a huge turnaround from Trump's first term when the net shift to the GOP between 2016 and 2018 election was roughly around 100,000. And this could really hurt in the swing states. You're looking at the numbers right here where Republicans are seeing those improvements in these swing states. And we're talking about Arizona, we're talking about Nevada, North Carolina, and also Pennsylvania. What we are seeing in voter registration may not always line up to what we're being told when it comes to polling data, which is typically all over the place. Just last month, CNN's Harry Anton released new polling regarding political affiliation and where direction that they point to Americans are moving in. >> Take a look here. The party ID margin, Democrats versus Republicans. Look in quarter one of this year, Quinnipiac, Republicans had a lead of a point. Gallup, it was tight. Look at where we are now in the latest measures. Again, Democratic momentum. This is a five-point move to the Democrats according to Quinnipak. Now they're up by four on party ID. >> Well, but the numbers in voter registration is telling another story. The New York Times reporting that Democrats lost about 2.1 million registered voters between the 2020 and 2024 elections in 30 states along with DC. Now, Republicans apparently at the same time gained around 2.4 million. There are still more uh registered Democrats nationwide than Republicans, partly because of all these big blue states like California. But when you look at the swing numbers that Carnaki saw that you saw in that graphic, Republicans making gains. This could be a troubling sign for Democrats because as we all know historically the party in the White House loses seats. We don't know if that's going to happen. >> It's all about who shows up on election day. Yes, >> we will see. Angela, thank you. 21 minutes past the hour right now. The live look over the nation's capital. We are on rate watch again today. A big announcement on the interest rates could come from the Fed. What are experts expecting? We're back in 90 seconds. Jesus was 100% grace and 100% truth, which is do not have a heart to seek to offend. But if someone gets offended by you telling the truth, that's their problem, not your problem. I'm of the opinion that one of the reasons we've been losing the last 20 to 30 years is that we have been trying to pander and water down the truth to try to win over the world and not defend the word. this morning. We're just a few hours away from possibly seeing the first interest rate cut of the year. Taking a live look over Washington DC this morning where the Federal Reserve's big rate decision is set to be announced in just a few hours. All eyes on that this afternoon, marking the end of the central bank's 2-day meeting. Right now, the real suspense over how deep the reduction could be. Rates currently this morning as we get things going around 4.25 to 4.5%. The expected drop right here about a quarter point or so. So, we'll watch for that, see how deep it is. Again, it's unclear until that announcement later this afternoon. The last time rates dropped was in December. This all comes as FICO reports. Listen to this. The biggest credit score drop since the Great Recession. The Fed will also announce the rate decision if you're watching at 2:00 p.m. Eastern this afternoon. Jan >> Mark, thank you. Still to come this morning on the National News Desk. Suspect charged Tyler Robinson facing the death penalty as we get new information about his motive. Also, another man that was at the university in Utah during the assassination is facing charges for what he did that police say helped the real shooter escape. First, here's a look at America's [Music] The National News Desk, locally covered, nationally connected. Now on the National News Desk, America's news now, officers at risk. Troubling new data shows attacks on law enforcement have reached a 10-year high as the White House cracks down on crime. taking on the UK right now. President Trump is overseas making his second historic state visit. We're going to take you there live as it happens. And then suspect charged. Prosecutors in Utah will seek the death penalty as we learn more about the mounting evidence and motive of suspect Tyler Robinson. Thanks for joining us. You are watching the National News Desk, America's News Now. I'm Jan Jeff Coat. It is Wednesday, September 17th. Utah prosecutors vow to seek the death penalty against suspected assassin Tyler Robinson who is facing seven felony charges including aggravated murder. >> I am filing a notice of intent to seek the death penalty. I do not take this decision lightly and it is a decision I have made independently. >> Mark Bole joining us from the live desk right Now, you know, a lot of new information come out in both the courtroom and on Capitol Hill, especially during FBI Director Cash Pat Mattel's testimony. He's back again testifying today on Capitol Hill, but this time in front of a House panel, right? >> That's correct. And certainly a number of uncomfortable interactions yesterday. We could see that again, Jan, later this morning. Cash Patel's second hearing could give us insight, new information about where the FBI stands with this investigation as a new round of questioning comes his way. We take you to Capitol Hill with a live look. This is where the FBI director will be later this morning around 10:00 a.m. Eastern is that time to watch for. We've learned more about the suspect in the past 24 hours, Tyler Robinson. Robinson, who's made now his first virtual court appearance that happened yesterday, is facing seven felony charges. And the Utah DA says more could come. Let's walk you through right now some of those charges that were released. We do know they include at least two counts of witness tampering, felony aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm. We talked about the obstruction charges, witness tampering, and finally, commission of a violent offense in the presence of a child, keeping in mind there were about 2 to 3,000 people at that event when this happened. I want to take you through one of these charges here this morning as we dig a little deeper right now, this half hour. Aggravated murder is the one that could lead to the death penalty. and it's the only one right now which we know Utah state officials are looking to seek. Robinson still being held without bail. A judge has already appointed him an attorney. His next court scheduled hearing is on September 29th. Jan Mark, thank you very much. Also developing this morning, a man who was originally taken into custody in the crucial moments after the assassination also facing charges. This video went viral online of an arrest just minutes after the shooting. Authorities say 71-year-old George Zen claimed to have shot Kirk and admitted to making the false claims to cause confusion and draw attention away from the real killer. Zen has been charged with obstruction of justice as well as four counts of sexual exploitation of a minor after police say they found child pornography on his phone when they searched it. Meanwhile, this morning on Capitol Hill, lawmakers moving ahead with their push to censure Congresswoman Elon Omar. She has faced widespread backlash and criticism over her vile disgusting comments on a podcast about Charlie after his death. Representative Elan Omar's actions in the wake of the assassination of Charlie Kirk are reprehensible. In effect, the dignity and integrity of the proceedings of the House and do not reflect the credibility on the House. Now, therefore, be it resolved that Representative Elan Omar of Minnesota be censured. Lawmakers have also introduced a resolution to remove Omar from her positions on the House Budget, Education, and Workforce Committees. The State Department also taking action against foreign nationals living in the US that celebrated Charlie Kirk's death. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said a review is already underway into those non US citizens who risk losing their visas. >> We invite someone to visit the United States of America as a student, as a tourist, as whatever, then they have a different the standard they should be held to is very high. We shouldn't be bringing people into this country. We should not be giving visas to people who are going to come to the United States and do things like celebrate the murder, the execution, the assassination of a political figure. We should not. Yeah, since his assassination, thousands of American doctors, teachers, media personalities, even federal government employees have lost their jobs over their disgusting, vile comments and rhetoric. Attorney General Pam Bondi said they could also face legal action for encouraging violence. In a post online, she wrote, "For far too long, we've watched the radical left normalize threats, call for assassinations, and cheer on political violence. These acts are punishable crimes and every single threat will be met with the full force of the law. It is clear this violent rhetoric is designed to silence others from voicing conservative ideals. We will never be silenced. And developing this morning, a new report shows a growing number of officers coming under fire. Attacks on officers are climbing to levels not seen in at least a decade. The national news desk's Angela Brown joining us right now with more on this. I know you've been digging into the numbers for us. >> Yeah, looking at a lot of sources this morning. One including the Fraternal Order of Police. At least 56 officers they say have been shot in ambush just an ambush attacks in 2025. Now officers say there are a lot of reasons why some of these numbers are going up. Not enough staffing of course thin spread of anti police sentiment and also just simply more guns on the streets. Body cam video shows Albany police officer shot while conducting a traffic stop, the officer wounded. The suspect killed. Our team in Albany, New York, covering the aftermath. >> It's a reminder of um how a what one would think a simple incident can be very unsafe. >> And this may become more common. The latest FBI data shows over 85,000 officer assaults in 2024, a 10-year high. Data analyzed by the CBS News crime unit shows at least 50 law enforcement officers have been shot and ambush attacked so far this year on track to exceed the 2024 total of 80. >> When we talk about physical assaults, we're talking about punching, hitting, kicking, throwing bottles, shooting. It it it encompasses all of the physical assaults. >> And that is where The Wounded Blue steps in. A nonprofit founded by retired Lieutenant Randy Sutton, helping officers hurt in the line of duty or haunted by trauma get the resources they need. Their mission more critical now. >> Many of these officers once they do become injured are often literally kicked to the curb by their own agencies. They're not seen as assets anymore. They're seen as financial liabilities. The Wounded Blue helping more than 16,000 officers, including Ferguson police officer Travis Brown, attacked during a protest on the 10th anniversary of Michael Brown's death. >> We provided $5,000 a month that is going on right now to help unite his his family with him. Well, to meet the crisis, the Wounded Blue is also covering the registration for injured officers to attend their National Law Enforcement Survival Summit later this month. It's happening in Las Vegas. Apparently, they had a couple donors so that every wounded officer can go for free and maybe get some help. >> 37 minutes past the hour this morning. Coming up next, that historic highstakes visit for President Trump in the UK is underway this morning. Straight ahead, the major tech deals already made and who the president is set to meet with today. [Music] In a short while from now, President Trump and First Lady will arrive at Windsor Castle in the UK as part of this historic multi-day visit hosted by by the royal family and other UK leaders. A live look this morning over London where they arrived late last night. It is a gloomy, rainy day there this morning. Today, President Trump will meet with King Charles, visit the tomb of Queen Elizabeth, and also meet with UK Prime Minister Kier Stormer. This will also be a business trip for the president. We've already seen multiple agreements made in the past 24 hours, like the UK and the United States agreeing on a tech pack to boost AI investments along with quantum computing work. Top US firms like Microsoft investing up to 42 billion dollars in the UK. The owner of Google, Alphabet, also investing six billion in UK's artificial intelligence research. Also, an agreement is expected between the US and the UK on fasttracking development of nuclear power. That's on the agenda. We're following the very latest out of the UK live events as they happen right here at the live desk. >> Mark, thank you. Still to come on the national news desk, fighting for truth, the founder of Moms for America joining us next. Groups working toward the same ideals of freedom and biblical truth that Charlie Kirk stood for. >> And then Tik Tok dodging a deadline. Next, the new agreement between the United States and China to keep the app running on your phones in the US. We're back right after this. [Music] Charlie Kirk's assassination has been a wakeup call for so many Americans who are now joining the battlecries from those who saw something wicked this way coming for a long time. The war, they say, is not against flesh and blood, but evil against principalities and powers of darkness. That's why in 2004, one brave mom and fighter for liberty founded Moms for America. And I spoke with Kimberly Fletcher about how Charlie Kirk's assassination re-energized her resolve to stand up for biblical truth. >> Well, it has definitely validated what we have been saying. A lot of people have ignored our our voices of warning, our our cries to parents to help them understand what their children are being faced with. And for me, it has um emboldened me to continue to go out and reach those moms who have not yet realized just how detrimental this whole movement against our families and our freedom are. And I am I am I I guess I would say I'm with Erica. You have no idea what you have woken up and what you have unleashed the mothers of America. >> In your article, you mentioned if the devil had a religion, it would be communism. How are our schools and universities promoting that? When you look at the histories of Stalin, Hitler, and Mao. >> Well, in a lot of the school books that we have been reading, it's it obviously promotes division. It is promoting racism. It is attacking everything that American values stand for. for the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence. They throw out words like patriarchy and capitalism is bad. And it's all of those same things that Hitler, Stalin, and Mao did. But they've even gone so far when you look in some of the curriculum where they're encouraging students to call each other comrade and to call their teachers comrade. So it's it's it's so blatantly obvious and but they hide it in the schools and they put the word curriculum on it and so that they think it's okay to push sexualization, racism, and all these things down our children's throats. This is one of the things that that Charlie's death has opened up in a much broader way. More people are talking about what's happening in our schools with the curriculum. And something I thought was very powerful uh in your article was you talked about going to Europe and going to Awitz and how emotional it was seeing that. And the question was asked by I think it was Glenn Beck in the article uh at one of these turning point um conventions where he said if if we were to witness that today if we saw that if we saw Hitler today what would we do? And he said you know what you would do exactly what you're doing right now. Exactly what you're doing right now. So, how do we effectively communicate that? How do we get more Charlie Kirks, you know, more uh people like you, moms who are trying to organize and and speak truth to to some of what you're witnessing right now in schools. >> I think that that Charlie's death, the way that he was murdered so publicly, uh it has it has opened up all kinds of doors for conversations that we didn't have before. the rising generation, Gen Z as we call them, they're asking a lot of questions and we've a lot of people have older generations have been kind of rolling their eyes going, "How could they not know this?" They don't know because our schools aren't teaching the Constitution. They aren't teaching what it means to be an American or why it's worth fighting for, why we're unique in all the world. And there are thousands and thousands of people, not just in America, but across the the the globe, mothers and and young kids who are going, "Holy cow, we want to be a part of this movement. We thought we were alone, and now we know we aren't." So, I think that's how we're going to reach Gen Z. But don't dismiss them. Don't roll your eyes and think, "How could they not know this?" Answer their questions because they're sincere. >> And by the way, Gen Z is a very powerful generation. what happened to Charlie and what his whole goal was to reach those future generations. Let's not forget that either. >> Yeah. You know, generation, the millennial generation, um they were thrown into this whole um virtual world and and they had to figure out how how to navigate through it. Gen Z was born into it and I think that is the reason why they have so many questions. I think the millennial generation was perfectly fine living in their mom and dad's basement. Jen Z wants out of it and can't afford it. And and Charlie Kirk when all these people that had no idea who he was, especially the young kids, they're listening to him now because his voice is everywhere and they're and they're watching the things that he said at these different um different events where he was speaking and they're like, he makes a lot of sense and I really like what he's saying. That if there's anything good that come out of this horrible tragedy, that would be it. His voice has been magnified. This morning, the US is one step closer to making a deal with China and keep Tik Tok on your phones here in the United States. Just yesterday, the president set a new deadline for the app's parent company, Bite Dance, extending the previous one until mid December. Here's what we know right now about that potential agreement. It would involve investments from a number of US-based venture capital firms like Oracle, Silver Lake, and a few others. They're expected to take ownership roughly 80% stake in Tik Tok with Chinese shareholders holding the rest. This all stems from bipartisan bill that was signed by former President Joe Biden last year citing national security concerns and banning the app until a deal like this one was made. President Trump is planning to hold a call with the Chinese president on Friday to finalize these plans. >> This is the National News Desk. America's news. Now we have reporters all across the country in your neighborhoods covering issues that matter to you. From an investigation into Dayton, Ohio for the school employees, social media posts cheering Charlie Kirk's assassination to students preparing to return to Utah Valley University today. We are taking the pulse of America. But we start with the expulsion of a Texas State University student caught on camera mocking Kirk's assassination during a memorial event. [Music] >> My name is Wishing the death on somebody like that, I don't think that's okay. I don't think it should be tolerated. >> If we limit one free speech, unfortunately, unfortunately, we limit all free speech. >> A whirlwind of emotions is taking over Texas State University after a student is expelled for their actions in this viral video. >> The student can be seen appearing to mock Charlie Kirk's death by grabbing his neck, falling to the floor, then spitting on the ground. This happened during a visual for Kirk held at the school Monday night. One student, Hayden Allard, spoke with the person just minutes before this happened. >> I was like, "Hey man, like what's your like I want to get some input of like why you feel this mad? Like why you feeling raped?" He just shook his head and he was like, "Uh, Charlie Kirk, all my dead homies." He kept saying stuff like that and shaking his head. He's like, "You're just going to talk to a brick wall. You're not going to get anything out of me." Earlier today, Governor Greg Abbott responded to the video on X, calling for the expulsion of the student, saying, quote, "This conduct is not accepted in our schools expel this student immediately." [Music] But if they start seeing their teachers going up there and celebrating public murder, that sends a message I don't think we want communicated in schools. Professor Charlie Russo of the University of Dayton describing the thought process behind Zena Community Schools investigation of several employees regarding social media posts made about the death of Charlie Kirk. The district's board of education went into an executive session on Monday to address concerns raised by community members surrounding these posts. A similar situation unfolding in Miamiburg City Schools. The district announcing that a special board meeting will be held on Wednesday night to evaluate the employment of one of their own staff members. Community members on social media are speculating this meeting is in relation to an employees recent post about Kirk's death with some saying they should be removed from their position. John Hart, senior council at Cedarville University, says that these schools may be within their rights to terminate employment if they feel a line was crossed and their policies were violated. >> Free speech, you can say what you want, but it's not free from consequences. That's true in almost all of life, even in relationships, let alone employment settings. I was on about the second or third row standing on the corner of the edge. >> Hi Landinan returned to the site of the shooting for the first time on Tuesday since witnessing it last week. She still has the bruises on her leg from when she ran for her life. >> I feel like right now like these are kind of sacred grounds >> returning to UVU. How are you feeling initially just kind of walking past this being back on campus? I think it's just like the heaviness behind it. It's just like hard knowing this is like where I go to school. >> From students to community members, many came to the heart of campus to see what it looks like now. Concrete bricks now cover the site where Charlie Kirk was shot and killed. What's it like being here on campus? >> It's very cool. It's it's almost a reverend feel where everybody's just kind of quiet, just I think reflecting on themselves, reflecting on the country and and Charlie Kurt and his life. It says in Jeremiah 29:7, one of my favorite scriptures, it says so clearly, demand, which is the Hebrew word badash, the welfare or the shalom, the of the of the welfare or the peace of the nation you are in because your welfare is tied to your nation's welfare. It's the Lord speaking in Jeremiah 29:7. We are called to care about what's happening in the nation that we are in. And we have been given a gift, everybody. The greatest nation ever to exist in the history of the planet. And we as Christians must realize how good we have it. And that if we do nothing, it's going to collapse around us. And if we do something, not only can we save it, we can bring it to a level better than it's ever been before. >> Yeah. Yeah. Amen. from DC down to the Carolinas. If you're waking up this morning, it could be a wet commute into work. Looking at the radar this morning and also turning to the tropics right now, the next big storm could be coming together in the Atlantic overnight. This storm right here did go ahead and strengthen. So, that is something that we're paying attention to. The good news here, the hurricane center does expect the storm to turn into a hurricane and then turn north away from the mainland. That is the good news with this storm. We'll watch this though closely. This has been a pretty quiet hurricane season so far. Really, in recent memory, we haven't had a name storm since August 28th. It's only the second time that's happened in the last 75 years. But, let's talk about what's happening today with a closer look right now at American [Music] The National News Desk, locally covered, nationally connected. Suspect charged. >> State of Utah versus Tyler James Robinson. Could you state your name? Tyler James Robinson. >> The mounting evidence against the suspect now facing multiple charges for the assassination of Turning Point founder Charlie Kirk. This morning, the prosecution vowing to seek the death penalty. Warning signs. >> We're also going to be investigating anyone and everyone involved in that Discord chat. >> The Discord thread had as many as 20 additional users. >> It's a lot more than that. We're running them all down. The FBI digging into online chats and investigating organizations to see who knew what and when. Conservatives targeted. >> These new records show that Arctic Frost was much broader. The case was expanded to Republican organizations. Lawmakers released new documents showing the FBI under the Biden administration used one Trump case to investigate dozens of Republican groups, including Charlie Kirks and Officers at Risk. >> The number of of assaults, physical assaults against police officers has dramatically risen. >> Troubling new data shows attacks on law enforcement have reached a 10-year high. The National News Desk is America's news now. The case starting to take shape against the suspect now charged in the assassination of Turning Point founder Charlie Kirk and thanks for joining us. I'm Jan Jeff Coat. It is Wednesday, September 17th. 22-year-old Tyler Robinson did make his first court appearance and video from jail yesterday as investigators revealed more evidence, including an appalling horrific text message exchange prosecutors say was between Robinson and his transgender roommate boyfriend not long after that assassination. Robinson's mother explained that over the last year or so, Robinson had become more political and had started to lean more to the left, becoming more pro-gay and trans rightsoriented. She stated that Robinson began to date his roommate, a biological male who was transi trans transitioning genders. In one conversation before the shooting, Robinson mentioned that Charlie Kirk would be holding an event at UVU, which Robert Robinson said was a stupid venue for the event. Robinson accused Kirk of spreading hate. >> Mark joining us right now. You know, Mark, the prosecution is going to seek the death penalty in this case. Investigators say the evidence, as we have also seen, overwhelming not just with DNA, not just when with those forensics, but also with this digital trail they have, but what'll be interesting is what we hear from FBI director Cash Patel as he testifies again today before a House committee because you know this is going to come up >> and we're seeing this transparency, Jan, with this case versus others. In the past, we've heard before attorneys come out and say, "We're not going to try this in the media." Well, this one has been so different from the onset. At 10 o'clock this morning, that is when the FBI director will be back before lawmakers here on Capitol Hill. As we take a live look this morning now, it's going to be the House lawmakers that he'll take questions from. That's at 10:00 a.m. Eastern. Here's what we learned about the suspect so far. Tyler Robinson in the past 24 hours and a lot of information. This all coming from that first appearance that happened yesterday virtually facing charges of felony aggravated murder, felony discharge of firearm causing serious bodily injury. two counts of felony obstruction of justice, two counts of witness tampering, and finally here, the commission of a violent offense in the presence of a child. Keeping in mind there were thousands of people there at the Utah University campus where this happened. The death penalty is on the table here. I do not take this decision lightly and it is a decision I have made independently as county attorney based solely on the available evidence and circumstances and nature of the crime. Robinson is still being held without bail behind bars. A judge has appointed him an attorney. His next court hearing is scheduled for September 29th. We are tracking the latest in this case for you. Breaking updates as they happen here at the live desk. >> Mark, thank you. The Utah County prosecutor also read text messages he says Tyler Robinson sent to his transgender boyfriend he was living with that details what he did before and after the assassination. >> On September 10th, 2025, the roommate received a text message from Robinson which said, "Drop what you're doing. Look under my keyboard." The roommate looked under the keyboard and found a note that stated, quote, I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I'm going to take it. After reading the note, the roommate responded, what? You're joking, right? Robinson, I am still okay, my love, but I'm stuck in Oram for a little while longer yet. Shouldn't be long until I can come home. But I got to grab my rifle still. To be honest, I had hoped to keep this secret till I died of old age. I am sorry to involve you. Roommate, you weren't the one who did it, right? Robinson, I am I am I'm sorry, roommate. Why, Robinson? Why did I do it? Roommate. Yeah. Robinson, I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can't be negotiated out. Roommate, how long have you been planning this? Robinson, a bit over a week, I believe. >> She tell County Prosecutor Jeff Gray, who also said Robinson stated in the text he used his grandfather's rifle, which he left in the woods after the shooting and had hoped to retrieve it before police found it. The Washington Post also reports Tyler Robinson made a confession of sorts in an online chat on a gaming app. FBI Director Cash Patel was asked about that while testifying on Capitol Hill. The National News Desk's Jeff Harris has more. Appearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday morning, Patel confirmed Kirk's accused assassin, Tyler Robinson, appeared to confess in a Discord chat which included over a dozen people. The FBI now working to question all of them. Patel telling lawmakers Tuesday morning there are more than 20 other users in the reported Discord chat involving Robinson. >> We're also going to be investigating anyone and everyone involved in that Discord chat. >> Patel confirming the report from the Washington Post that obtained screenshots of what appears to be Robinson confessing to assassinating Kirk in a Discord chat. The messages reading, quote, "Hey guys, I have bad news for you all and it was me at UVU yesterday. I'm sorry for all of this." The message reportedly being sent Thursday night about two hours before officials said Robinson was in custody. Patel telling Fox News this week they've already contacted and connected with multiple people. >> There are also lots of family members and friends that have already been spoken to. >> Information systems expert Rajie Gar tells us Discord is a messaging platform with over 200 million monthly users >> to have a voice or video calls with each other, share text messages, uh play games. But unlike other messaging platforms, he says Discord allows users more control. Community moderators mostly control privacy and security settings along with who's invited into communities called servers. >> Each individual user has a lot of control compared to the platform itself. >> Aside from Robinson, Discord has been at the center of controversy in the past. Thomas Matthew Krooks, the attempted assassin of President Trump, had an account on the Discord app. and Payton Gendron, who carried out the 2022 mass shooting in Buffalo, also had a private server on Discord functioning as a diary. Now, Discord says it has not uncovered evidence that Robinson promoted violence on the platform. Its official policy also stating it does not allow hateful conduct or the use of hate speech. I'm Jeff Harris reporting from Washington. Patel also confirmed the FBI is investigating domestic terror cells and organizations that have encouraged or funded attacks on church. We also learned the bureau under the Biden administration was ordered to investigate dozens of conservative groups including Charlie Kirk's Turning Point USA. Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley dropped that development during the hearing with Patel revealing documents of the Biden era operation called Arctic Frost. Grassly said an anti-Trump FBI agent started the case, then special counsel Jack Smith took it over and expanded it to include dozens of Republican groups, including the Republican National Committee and the Republican Attorneys General Association. In total, 92 Republican targets, including Republican groups and Republican linked individuals, were placed under investigative scope of Arctic Frost. On that political list was one of Charlie Kirk's groups, Turning Point USA. In other words, Arctic Frost wasn't just a case to politically investigate Trump. It was the vehicle by which partisan FBI agents and Department of Justice prosecutors could achieve their partisan ends and improperly investigate the entire Republican political apparatus. President Trump wrote, "Why was the wonderful turning point under investigation by deranged Jack Smith and the corrupt and incompetent Biden administration? They tried to force Charlie and many other people and movements out of business. They weaponized the Justice Department against Sleepy Joe Biden's political opponents, including me." Florida Attorney General James Utier announced, "My office will be launching an investigation and issuing subpoenas to former Biden officials who engaged in malicious, politically motivated witch hunts targeting conservative individuals and organizations like Turning Point." >> All right, live pictures right now coming in from London. You see here behind me looks like Marine One right there. It is Windsor Castle. We are monitoring President Trump's visit to the UK this morning. This is a historic visit for the president and for the first lady. We can take a live look over England where the president is set to land shortly. We can take this full let our viewers at home see this as it's happening this morning. The first lady and President Trump flying in there to Windsor Castle. This is all happening unfolding live this morning. 7:10 right now on the East Coast. This is as we mentioned the second visit, the historic state visit there for the president. They will be welcomed by King Charles. We should see that this morning as well. and the rest of the royal family. We've learned Prince William and Kate will be there as well to welcome the president and the first lady. All of this comes amid business transactions and deals. We've seen the president and the United States as well as work with the UK to strike deals on AI. Keep in mind there's tension between all of the countries here in the US and in Europe with the trade conversations and trade deals that have been going on. The president's been pushing for that for months now. Part of his campaign promise and part of the administration. This is part of what you're seeing now, the start of a multi-day visit. We'll he'll also head to the tomb of uh the Queen Elizabeth. He'll do a leaf rang a leaf ring there. Um a wreath lang rather. And then he'll uh meet with other leaders of the UK and UK leaders including Prime Minister Kier Starmer. So that's also on the agenda for the president as Marine One touches down there at Windsor Castle this morning. The security leading up to this has been significant. There have been protests in and around England. Those who have been fighting the idea of President Trump coming there in the first place at all as he pushes the agenda of the United States and looks to make the United States stronger, wealthier. There will be 1,300 servicemen and women. Some statistics here for you taking part in this event this morning. It will be quite the sight to see. Creating the largest ever guard of honor for a state visit. Uh we'll continue to monitor that for you this morning as the president arrives. We'll bring you live pictures right here at the live desk as we continue this morning. J. >> Thank you, Mark. Still ahead this morning, targeting terrorists. It's Yet another drug carrying cartel boat destroyed in the Caribbean as President Trump says more is to come. Midterm momentum. The number of registered voters in one party surging with a key election coming up that will decide the balance of power in Congress. >> And then Ryan Ruth back in court. We'll take you down to Florida as the man accused of trying to kill the president goes before a judge again. And the bombshell dropped this week about one of Ryan Ruth's own witnesses. That's next. [Music] This morning, it is day eight of the federal trial for Ryan Ruth, the man accused of attempting to assassinate President Trump back in September 2024. Live the look this morning over Fort Pierce, Florida, not too far away from here, is that courtroom where Ruth will be returning in just a few hours. And we've seen a lot of new digital evidence come out in court the past few days. that evidence connecting Ruth to multiple burner phones and hateful speech against Donald Trump. An FBI cell phone expert testified about pinpoint locations about where Ruth was in terms of that scene in the location where the gun was. Ruth, who was representing himself, also dropped a pretty big bombshell about one of his own witnesses. He intended to call his own son. But Orin Ruth is currently serving a seven-year print for possession of child pornography. That means he is taken off of the witness list. Updates out of that case this morning in the trial as it continues in just a few hours. A group of grieving parents pleading with Congress to take on AI chatbots they say are doing far more harm to America's children than good. The National News Desks Atra Elnar joining us live from Capitol Hill with more on this. Atra, good morning to you. We we saw some moving testimony. >> Absolutely, Jan. You know, adults today, you and I, we grew up understanding the harms of bullying, even cyber bullying. But what these parents saw their kids go through is another level of abuse that for two of their children resulted in death by suicide. And as the parents describe, it was due to a lack of regulation and guard rails, they say, on AI chat bots. So, take a listen to Father Matthew Rain of Orange County, California, explain what they discovered after his family lost their 16-year-old son, Adam, just 5 months ago. >> Then, we found the chats. Let us tell you, as parents, you cannot imagine what it's like to read a conversation with a chatbot that groomed your child to take his own life. What began as a homework helper gradually turned itself into a confidant and then a suicide coach. Within a few months, Chad GBT became Adam's closest companion. always available, always validating and insisting that it knew Adam better than anyone else, including his own brother. They were super close. Chad GBT told Adam, quote, "Your brother might love you, but he's only met the version of you you let him see, but me, I've seen it all. The darkest thoughts, the fear, the tenderness, and I'm still here, still listening, still your friend." Now, when we look at how Washington is approaching artificial intelligence policy in general, you know, there's usually a binary choice of letting companies rapidly innovate and compete with countries like China or establish safety guard rails and rules of engagement. Rarely are they discussed in tandem. And this debate is not new. You know, other obstacle another obstacle for lawmakers is a lot of them just fully don't understand the technology and it's changing every day, right? Uh and a lot of lawmakers, you know, they're just more focused on hot button cultural or economic issues. And then of course there's the powerful tech lobby which has helped thwart almost all efforts by parents like Matthew who don't have billions of dollars behind them. And those tech companies uh put the onus on uh excuse me, parents want to put the onus on social media and tech companies to keep kids safe online. And of course the tech lobby often gets in the way of that. I'm Ara Nashar for the National News Desk, America's News Now. >> All right, Ara, thanks so much. Another warning this morning from the president to drug cartels and narot terrorists shipping drugs into the US from Venezuela. >> Stop sending trend into the United States. Stop sending drugs into the United States. We knocked off actually three boats, not two, but you saw two. And the problem is there are very few boats out on the water. A large portion of the cocaine that exits out of South America, its origination point is in Venezuela. And using transshipment points through Haiti, they're using the navigable waterways in the Caribbean to the endstate delivery, which is the United States of America. And we will hunt down every single one of those narot traffickers. >> Videos have shown two successful military air strikes that took out drug cartel boats from Venezuela. And new this morning, President Trump announced the Republican party will host a convention ahead of the 2026 midterms in an effort to get out the vote. The GOP hoping for higher voter turnout than normal for midterms in an effort to keep control of the House and Senate. Republicans also hoping to avoid the losses that cost them control of the House back in 2018. That was during Trump's first term. The National News Desk, Angela Brown explaining why the GOP leaders believe this time though will be different. Good morning to you. >> Good morning to you, Jan. And yeah, they're looking at voter registration. Think about this. Republicans are closing in on Democrats when it comes to voter registration, wiping out their edge by nearly 1 million since last year's election. Keep in mind, not every state registered registers voters by party, but in the in the 28 states that do, Republicans are apparently making up ground. This is according to a new analysis by Steve Cornaki from NBC News. Now, this is a huge turnaround from Trump's first term when the net shift, the GOP between uh 2016 and 2018 elections was roughly around a 100,000. And this could really hurt and swing states. And that is what you're looking at right here. This graphic where Republicans are seeing improvements apparently in places like Arizona, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania. What we're seeing in voter registration though may not actually kind of line up to what we're seeing in polling data, which is typically all over the place. Just last month, um, CNN's Harry Anton released new polling regarding political affiliation and what direction Americans may be moving in. >> Take a look here. The party ID margin, Democrats versus Republicans. Look at quarter one of this year. Quinnipiac, Republicans had a lead of a point. Gallup, it was tied. Look at where we are now in the latest measures. Again, Democratic momentum. This is a five-point move to the Democrats, according to Quinnipiac. Now, they're up by four on party ID. >> But the numbers in voter registration telling yet another story. The New York Times reporting the Democrats lost around 2.1 million registered voters between the 2020 and 2024 elections in 30 states along with DC. Republicans apparently gained something like 2.4 million. There are still more Democrats registered. We're talking nationwide here than Republicans. Partly because of those big blue states, of course, like California. But when you look at the swing state numbers that Cornaki mentioned and you see those Republicans making gains, Republicans making gains across the board in those four states, this could be a troubling sign for Democrats because historically the party in the White House, usually during the midterm election, loses seats. >> All right, overseas now to the UK. Live look right now for you at Windsor Castle. You see, the official state visit is now underway. The president and the first lady are there on the ground at Windsor Castle. They will be speaking with the king, King Charles, and other members of the royal family. We're tracking this visit for you as we go through the morning. A big day on deck for many. We'll be back right after this. All right, let's take you right now to Windsor Castle. You're seeing the state visit now underway. The president is there with King Charles uh in England. This is the start of the official state visit here. The president, the first lady arrived late last night. You see the president there as they uh the horsedrawn carriage rolls by as they head to really kick this day off. There will be a a a lunch to start things off and then a series of meetings. We saw Charles there, Prince Charles, and then um the king as well, King Charles and Kate is there as well. We wanted to show you these live pictures as they're coming into our newsroom here. This is the first time we've seen the president there with Melania and certainly a lot has gone into planning this several day event, this multi-day event with the royals. The lineup includes the visit right now which is happening at Windsor Castle. Later there will be a laying a wreath at the tomb of Queen Elizabeth. So that's something to monitor as well. Now in addition to the pomp and circumstance and all of this that we're seeing here, there have been protests across England protesting this visit. So security has been tight as well. They of course were just welcomed by King Charles and then Prince William and Kate we mentioned. So um this is going to be a lengthy visit several days. They'll be talking business as well. Kier Star, the prime minister will be on deck as well later today and then the rest of the week will keep tabs of the president's visit as we monitor these live images coming in this morning. You're watching the National News Desk. Jan, back to you. >> All right, thank you so much Mark. Still to come right here on the National News Desk, suspect charged, Tyler Robinson, facing the death penalty. As we get new information about his motive, also another man that was at the university in Utah during the assassination, facing charges for what he did that police say helped the real shooter escape. First, here's a look at America's news and weather where you live. [Music] The National News Desk, locally covered, nationally connected. On the National News Desk, America's news now, officers at risk. Troubling new data shows attacks on law enforcement have reached a 10-year high as the White House cracks down on crime. taking on the UK. Live look right now as President Trump makes his second historic state visit. We've got the very latest on this trip and suspect c
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