GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;praised&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-shooting-utah-university-republicans-8357c3d102de09e3320fde761258131a">Charlie Kirk</a>&nbsp;as a “great American hero” and “martyr” for freedom as he and other prominent conservatives gathered Sunday evening to honor the slain conservative political activist whose work they say they must now advance.

The memorial service for Kirk, whom Trump credits with playing a pivotal role in his 2024 election victory, drew tens of thousands of mourners, including Vice President JD Vance, other senior administration officials and young conservatives shaped by the 31-year-old firebrand.

Elon Musk arrives at the memorial service- CSPAN

President Trump and Elon Musk shake hands&nbsp; at Charlie Kirk memorial service.

(Click below to watch a replay of the full service)

“He’s a martyr now for America’s freedom,” Trump said in his tribute. “I know I speak for everyone here today when I say that none of us will ever forget Charlie. And neither now will history.”

Speakers highlighted Kirk’s profound faith and his strong belief that young conservatives need to get married, build families and pass on their values to keep building their movement. They also repeatedly told conservative activists, sometimes in confrontational tones, that the best way to honor Kirk was doubling down on his mission to move American politics further to the right.

“For Charlie, we will remember that it is better to stand on our feet defending the United States of America and defending the truth than it is to die on our knees,” Vance said. “My friends, for Charlie, we must remember that he is a hero to the United States of America. And he is a martyr for the Christian faith.”

Kirk’s assassination at a Sept. 10 appearance on a Utah college campus has become a singular moment for the modern-day conservative movement. It also has set off a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-political-violence-shootings-utah-7b4e9b662932943a77635a0f8e839270">fierce debate about violence</a>, decency and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-workplace-speech-firing-29717a8612ccedebabc7cba29e7ef627">free speech</a>&nbsp;in an era of deep political division.

The shooting has stirred fear among some Americans that Trump is trying to harness outrage over the killing as justification to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kirk-trump-cancel-culture-assassination-4d69649e382ea46d8dcf794150a1d3c9">suppress the voices</a>&nbsp;of his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-justice-department-revenge-bolton-military-deployments-aa2b977621bce563770b60dade581f79">critics and political opponents</a>.

Those close to Kirk prayed and the floors shook from the bass of Christian rock bands as the home of the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals took on the feel of a megachurch service.

“Charlie looked at politics as an on-ramp to Jesus,” said the Rev. Rob McCoy, Kirk’s pastor.

People began lining up before dawn to secure a spot inside&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-memorial-state-farm-stadium-ff4815a8ec8f4eb6f4855360a98a04fa">State Farm Stadium</a>&nbsp;west of Phoenix, where Kirk’s Turning Point organization is based. Security was tight, similar to the Super Bowl or other high-profile event. The speakers delivered their tributes from behind bullet-proof glass.

The 63,400-seat stadium quickly filled with people dressed in red, white and blue, as organizers suggested.

Kirk's widow, Erika, in her own address said in the midst of her grief she was finding comfort that her husband left this world without regrets. She also said she forgives the man who is charged with killing him.

“My husband, Charlie, he wanted to save young men, just like the one who took his life,” said Erika Kirk, who is taking over as Turning Point's leader. She added, “I forgive him.”

Comments about Kirk have become a Trump administration target

Trump has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-charlie-kirk-radical-left-political-opposition-3875efd0674ed2a22a719dfb42ace6ab">blamed the “radical left”</a>&nbsp;for Kirk’s death and threatened to go after liberal organizations and donors or others who he feels are maligning or celebrating Kirk's death.

Dozens of people, from journalists to teachers to late show host Jimmy Kimmel, have faced suspensions or&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-speech-republicans-firings-government-vance-e65a4939b80e4f4822db188e978d8812">lost their jobs</a>&nbsp;as prominent conservative activists and administration officials target comments about Kirk that they deem offensive or celebratory. The retaliation has in turn ignited a debate over the First Amendment as the Republican administration promises retribution against those who air what are seen as disparaging remarks in the wake of Kirk’s death.

Some speakers at the memorial said Kirk was battling evil and referred often to a vague “they” as the enemy. Others were blunt.

“You have no idea the dragon you have awakened, you have no idea how determined we will be to save this civilization, to save the West, to save this republic," said White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller.

Kirk was a provocateur who at times made statements that some called racist, misogynistic, anti-immigrant and transphobic. That has drawn&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vance-kirk-host-show-husband-father-65cf1d42c2c2f4e85988402b5224da2a">backlash from conservatives</a>&nbsp;who view the criticism as cherry-picking a few select moments to insult the legacy of someone they see as an inspirational conservative leader.

A 22-year-old Utah man,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-shooting-suspect-things-to-know-dcde3f792f4d6636d44fb9f4fa53569c">Tyler Robinson</a>, has been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-tyler-robinson-court-death-penalty-f541df08a936e06497ee2342296bc398">charged with killing Kirk</a>&nbsp;and faces the death penalty if convicted of the most serious charges. Authorities have not revealed a clear motive in the shooting, but prosecutors say Robinson wrote in a text to his partner following the shooting that he “had enough” of Kirk's hatred.

Kirk's legacy of conservative political influence

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/turning-point-charlie-kirk-erika-kirk-trump-ff9141ca3fd5b8f1a103e7eb03f7535b">Turning Point, the group Kirk founded</a>&nbsp;to mobilize young Christian conservatives, became a multimillion-dollar operation under his leadership with enormous reach.

“Charlie’s having some serious heavenly FOMO right now," Tyler Bower, Turning Point's chief operating officer, said, likening the moment to bringing “the Holy Spirit into a Trump rally."

The crowd was a testament to the massive influence he accumulated in conservative America with his ability to mobilize young people.

Kirk was a MAGA celebrity with a loyal following that turned out to support or argue with him as he traveled the country for the events like the one at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/utah-valley-university-charlie-kirk-fd5ca9b3b7338993970dd0a34dafb64b">Utah Valley University,</a>&nbsp;where he was shot. Kirk grew the organization, in large part, through the force of his personality and debating chops.

“He slayed ignorance,” said Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. “He cut through lies. He woke people’s minds, inspired people’s hearts and imparted wisdom every day.”

Speaker after speaker, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, expressed their awe at Kirk's ability to go into what many conservatives saw as the lion's den to make the conservative case: college campuses.

“Why don’t you start somewhere easier,” Rubio joked when he first heard about Kirk years ago. “Like, for example, communist Cuba?"

<p>GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;praised&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-shooting-utah-university-republicans-8357c3d102de09e3320fde761258131a">Charlie Kirk</a>&nbsp;as a “great American hero” and “martyr” for freedom as he and other prominent conservatives gathered Sunday evening to honor the slain conservative political activist whose work they say they must now advance.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">President Trump and Erika Kirk at the Memorial Service for Charlie Kirk. <a href="https://t.co/c27ViuD7Yw">pic.twitter.com/c27ViuD7Yw</a></p>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1969907727984996794?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>The memorial service for Kirk, whom Trump credits with playing a pivotal role in his 2024 election victory, drew tens of thousands of mourners, including Vice President JD Vance, other senior administration officials and young conservatives shaped by the 31-year-old firebrand.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Erika Kirk: &quot;My husband Charlie he wanted to save young men, just like the one who took his life...On the cross, our savior said, &#39;Father, forgive them, for they not know what they do.&#39; That young man. I forgive him.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/jy8W7YrmVs">pic.twitter.com/jy8W7YrmVs</a></p>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1969891437153022226?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Charlie, we all thank you. <br><br>God Bless Charlie Kirk. God Bless <a href="https://twitter.com/MrsErikaKirk?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MrsErikaKirk</a>. God Bless the United States of America. ❤️🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/Su8XcdnIfK">pic.twitter.com/Su8XcdnIfK</a></p>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1969908965657157966?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;What was even more important to Charlie than politics and service was the choice he made in the fifth grade — which he called the &#39;most important decision of his life&#39; — to become a Christian and a follower of his savior, Jesus Christ.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/ILCrfawb72">pic.twitter.com/ILCrfawb72</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1969894622492242407?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>: &quot;Charlie&#39;s murder was not just an attack on one man or one movement — it was an attack on our entire nation.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/KH143fYf28">pic.twitter.com/KH143fYf28</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1969900488742039948?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>Elon Musk arrives at the memorial service- CSPAN</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Elon Musk arrives Charlie Kirk memorial service ... <a href="https://t.co/mxq5uJRoQo">pic.twitter.com/mxq5uJRoQo</a></p>&mdash; Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) <a href="https://twitter.com/HowardMortman/status/1969853380995760613?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>President Trump and Elon Musk shake hands&nbsp; at Charlie Kirk memorial service.</p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Pres. Trump and Elon Musk shake hands ... Charlie Kirk memorial service <a href="https://t.co/SnEHLFIkYH">pic.twitter.com/SnEHLFIkYH</a></p>&mdash; Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) <a href="https://twitter.com/HowardMortman/status/1969872157762330760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">President <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> speaks at State Farm Stadium to celebrate the life of <a href="https://twitter.com/charliekirk11?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@charliekirk11</a> 🙏🏼🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/LWzldXJ4I0">pic.twitter.com/LWzldXJ4I0</a></p>&mdash; Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) <a href="https://twitter.com/MargoMartin47/status/1969898402562605190?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Charlie Kirk was a hero to this country and a faithful servant of God.<br><br>Every day that we continue his mission is an honor to his memory.<br><br>We&#39;ve got it from here, my friend. <a href="https://t.co/Bh7NnEwsX4">pic.twitter.com/Bh7NnEwsX4</a></p>&mdash; JD Vance (@JDVance) <a href="https://twitter.com/JDVance/status/1969915771875623159?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 22, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">For Charlie, we will speak the truth every single day.<br><br>For Charlie, we will rebuild this United States to greatness.<br><br>For Charlie, we will never shrink, we will never cower, and we will never falter — even when staring down the barrel of a gun.<br><br>For Charlie, we will remember… <a href="https://t.co/zgbZLPMvvi">pic.twitter.com/zgbZLPMvvi</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1969883258138542350?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">&quot;When Christ shall come with shouts of acclamation and take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!<br><br>Then I shall bow in humble adoration — and there proclaim, &#39;My God! How great Thou art!&#39;&quot;<br><br>❤️ <a href="https://t.co/6Dw5giPkpm">pic.twitter.com/6Dw5giPkpm</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1969797502086865182?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Stephen Miller: &quot;We will prevail over the forces of wickedness and evil. They cannot imagine what they have awakened...You thought you could kill Charlie Kirk? You have made him immortal!&quot; <a href="https://t.co/uMZfkmjSdF">pic.twitter.com/uMZfkmjSdF</a></p>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1969866326492475512?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Full remarks from White House Chief of Staff <a href="https://twitter.com/SusieWiles?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SusieWiles</a> at Charlie Kirk&#39;s memorial service:<br><br>&quot;When <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>&#39; 2024 campaign partnered with <a href="https://twitter.com/TPUSA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TPUSA</a>, Charlie did not just promise, he delivered... Charlie just didn&#39;t help, he made the winning difference — I promise you that.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/r1fFurhYLY">pic.twitter.com/r1fFurhYLY</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1969866346751021116?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/SecKennedy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecKennedy</a>&#39;s full remarks at Charlie Kirk&#39;s memorial service: &quot;A couple of days ago, my granddaughter left for college in Europe. Her mother noticed that she packed a Bible. When her mother asked her why she made that choice, she said, &#39;I want to live more like Charlie.&#39;&quot; <a href="https://t.co/u2BIBVc1AI">pic.twitter.com/u2BIBVc1AI</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1969875978475143241?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/SecWar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecWar</a>&#39;s full remarks at Charlie Kirk&#39;s memorial service: &quot;Charlie Kirk was a citizen who had the Biblical heart of a soldier of the faith — who put on, every single day, the full armor of God with a smile, as the Scriptures tell all Christ followers to do.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/ZvvRVtZz7s">pic.twitter.com/ZvvRVtZz7s</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1969875365813276815?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Marco Rubio breaks down what’s important.<a href="https://twitter.com/marcorubio?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@marcorubio</a> <a href="https://t.co/fhORQkE4Lv">pic.twitter.com/fhORQkE4Lv</a></p>&mdash; Turning Point Action (@TPAction_) <a href="https://twitter.com/TPAction_/status/1969871975163236667?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/DNIGabbard?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DNIGabbard</a>&#39;s full remarks at Charlie Kirk&#39;s memorial service: &quot;By trying to silence Charlie, his voice is now louder than ever.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/JCoI9moZgs">pic.twitter.com/JCoI9moZgs</a></p>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1969870322804425215?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>(Click below to watch a replay of the full service)</p><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DKGRfogo-l0?si=Ojm1zR4G3eUXUMTw" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><p>“He’s a martyr now for America’s freedom,” Trump said in his tribute. “I know I speak for everyone here today when I say that none of us will ever forget Charlie. And neither now will history.”</p><p>Speakers highlighted Kirk’s profound faith and his strong belief that young conservatives need to get married, build families and pass on their values to keep building their movement. They also repeatedly told conservative activists, sometimes in confrontational tones, that the best way to honor Kirk was doubling down on his mission to move American politics further to the right.</p><p>“For Charlie, we will remember that it is better to stand on our feet defending the United States of America and defending the truth than it is to die on our knees,” Vance said. “My friends, for Charlie, we must remember that he is a hero to the United States of America. And he is a martyr for the Christian faith.”</p><p>Kirk’s assassination at a Sept. 10 appearance on a Utah college campus has become a singular moment for the modern-day conservative movement. It also has set off a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-political-violence-shootings-utah-7b4e9b662932943a77635a0f8e839270">fierce debate about violence</a>, decency and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-workplace-speech-firing-29717a8612ccedebabc7cba29e7ef627">free speech</a>&nbsp;in an era of deep political division.</p><p>The shooting has stirred fear among some Americans that Trump is trying to harness outrage over the killing as justification to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kirk-trump-cancel-culture-assassination-4d69649e382ea46d8dcf794150a1d3c9">suppress the voices</a>&nbsp;of his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-justice-department-revenge-bolton-military-deployments-aa2b977621bce563770b60dade581f79">critics and political opponents</a>.</p><h2>High security and a full stadium</h2><p>Those close to Kirk prayed and the floors shook from the bass of Christian rock bands as the home of the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals took on the feel of a megachurch service.</p><p>“Charlie looked at politics as an on-ramp to Jesus,” said the Rev. Rob McCoy, Kirk’s pastor.</p><p>People began lining up before dawn to secure a spot inside&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-memorial-state-farm-stadium-ff4815a8ec8f4eb6f4855360a98a04fa">State Farm Stadium</a>&nbsp;west of Phoenix, where Kirk’s Turning Point organization is based. Security was tight, similar to the Super Bowl or other high-profile event. The speakers delivered their tributes from behind bullet-proof glass.</p><p>The 63,400-seat stadium quickly filled with people dressed in red, white and blue, as organizers suggested.</p><p>Kirk's widow, Erika, in her own address said in the midst of her grief she was finding comfort that her husband left this world without regrets. She also said she forgives the man who is charged with killing him.</p><p>“My husband, Charlie, he wanted to save young men, just like the one who took his life,” said Erika Kirk, who is taking over as Turning Point's leader. She added, “I forgive him.”</p><h2>Comments about Kirk have become a Trump administration target</h2><p>Trump has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-charlie-kirk-radical-left-political-opposition-3875efd0674ed2a22a719dfb42ace6ab">blamed the “radical left”</a>&nbsp;for Kirk’s death and threatened to go after liberal organizations and donors or others who he feels are maligning or celebrating Kirk's death.</p><p>Dozens of people, from journalists to teachers to late show host Jimmy Kimmel, have faced suspensions or&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-speech-republicans-firings-government-vance-e65a4939b80e4f4822db188e978d8812">lost their jobs</a>&nbsp;as prominent conservative activists and administration officials target comments about Kirk that they deem offensive or celebratory. The retaliation has in turn ignited a debate over the First Amendment as the Republican administration promises retribution against those who air what are seen as disparaging remarks in the wake of Kirk’s death.</p><p>Some speakers at the memorial said Kirk was battling evil and referred often to a vague “they” as the enemy. Others were blunt.</p><p>“You have no idea the dragon you have awakened, you have no idea how determined we will be to save this civilization, to save the West, to save this republic," said White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller.</p><p>Kirk was a provocateur who at times made statements that some called racist, misogynistic, anti-immigrant and transphobic. That has drawn&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vance-kirk-host-show-husband-father-65cf1d42c2c2f4e85988402b5224da2a">backlash from conservatives</a>&nbsp;who view the criticism as cherry-picking a few select moments to insult the legacy of someone they see as an inspirational conservative leader.</p><p>A 22-year-old Utah man,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-shooting-suspect-things-to-know-dcde3f792f4d6636d44fb9f4fa53569c">Tyler Robinson</a>, has been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-tyler-robinson-court-death-penalty-f541df08a936e06497ee2342296bc398">charged with killing Kirk</a>&nbsp;and faces the death penalty if convicted of the most serious charges. Authorities have not revealed a clear motive in the shooting, but prosecutors say Robinson wrote in a text to his partner following the shooting that he “had enough” of Kirk's hatred.</p><h2>Kirk's legacy of conservative political influence</h2><p><a href="https://apnews.com/article/turning-point-charlie-kirk-erika-kirk-trump-ff9141ca3fd5b8f1a103e7eb03f7535b">Turning Point, the group Kirk founded</a>&nbsp;to mobilize young Christian conservatives, became a multimillion-dollar operation under his leadership with enormous reach.</p><p>“Charlie’s having some serious heavenly FOMO right now," Tyler Bower, Turning Point's chief operating officer, said, likening the moment to bringing “the Holy Spirit into a Trump rally."</p><p>The crowd was a testament to the massive influence he accumulated in conservative America with his ability to mobilize young people.</p><p>Kirk was a MAGA celebrity with a loyal following that turned out to support or argue with him as he traveled the country for the events like the one at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/utah-valley-university-charlie-kirk-fd5ca9b3b7338993970dd0a34dafb64b">Utah Valley University,</a>&nbsp;where he was shot. Kirk grew the organization, in large part, through the force of his personality and debating chops.</p><p>“He slayed ignorance,” said Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. “He cut through lies. He woke people’s minds, inspired people’s hearts and imparted wisdom every day.”</p><p>Speaker after speaker, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, expressed their awe at Kirk's ability to go into what many conservatives saw as the lion's den to make the conservative case: college campuses.</p><p>“Why don’t you start somewhere easier,” Rubio joked when he first heard about Kirk years ago. “Like, for example, communist Cuba?"</p><p>___</p>

🎥Some of the best moments of Charlie Kirk's memorial service

WICHITA, Kan.&nbsp;— On September 20, 2025, at approximately 11:07 p.m., Wichita Police Officers responded to an injury accident in the 1900 block of South Southwest Boulevard.

Upon arrival, officers located two injured pedestrians: a 26-year-old woman and a 32-year-old man. Both were transported to a local hospital, where the man identified as Joseph Cox of Wichita, succumbed to his injuries.

The driver has been identified, our investigation is still ongoing, and when completed we will present the case to the DA for potential charging considerations.

The Wichita Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance. If you witnessed this accident or have any information, please contact the Accident Follow-Up Investigators at (316) 350-3689. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can submit a tip through Crime Stoppers at (316) 267-2111.

<p>WICHITA, Kan.&nbsp;— On September 20, 2025, at approximately 11:07 p.m., Wichita Police Officers responded to an injury accident in the 1900 block of South Southwest Boulevard.</p><p>Upon arrival, officers located two injured pedestrians: a 26-year-old woman and a 32-year-old man. Both were transported to a local hospital, where the man identified as Joseph Cox of Wichita, succumbed to his injuries.</p><p>The driver has been identified, our investigation is still ongoing, and when completed we will present the case to the DA for potential charging considerations.</p><p>The Wichita Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance. If you witnessed this accident or have any information, please contact the Accident Follow-Up Investigators at (316) 350-3689. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can submit a tip through Crime Stoppers at (316) 267-2111.</p>

Police look for possible witnesses to crash that killed Kansas man

FRANKLIN COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a train,&nbsp; pedestrian crash in Franklin County.

Just after 12:30a.m. Sunday,&nbsp; police were called to the Main Street rail crossing in Wellsville, according to a media release from the Franklin County Sheriff.&nbsp; First responders found a man in the road with severe injuries. He was transported to a hospital for treatment.

The Franklin County Crash team is in charge of the investigation. Authorities released no additional details late Sunday.

<p>FRANKLIN COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a train,&nbsp; pedestrian crash in Franklin County.</p><p>Just after 12:30a.m. Sunday,&nbsp; police were called to the Main Street rail crossing in Wellsville, according to a media release from the Franklin County Sheriff.&nbsp; First responders found a man in the road with severe injuries. He was transported to a hospital for treatment.</p><p>The Franklin County Crash team is in charge of the investigation. Authorities released no additional details late Sunday.</p>

Sheriff: Kansas man hospitalized after struck by a train

PRATT COUNTY—A Pratt man is in custody after a standoff Friday evening in which police said he barricaded himself inside a home and resisted arrest.

Just before 5p.m. September 19, officers responded&nbsp; to a reported disturbance in the 700 block of Champa Street, according to&nbsp;According to the Pratt Police Department. A woman caller identified Jacob Davis, 36, of Pratt, as the suspect and reported there was an active protection-from-abuse order against him.

Police said Davis left the scene in a tan Chevrolet Suburban. A short time later, officers received another report that a vehicle matching that description nearly struck another driver near Champa and Green Street.

By 6 p.m., the reporting party told officers that Davis had driven past her residence honking his horn, and minutes later alleged that he returned and threw mortar-style fireworks toward children in the area. No injuries were reported.

At 6:48 p.m., officers located Davis at his residence at 1002 Champa. Police said he refused commands, retreated into the house and barricaded himself inside after officers used pepper spray to deter two aggressive dogs.

The Pratt County Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team was called to assist. After deploying chemical agents and clearing the home’s main floor and attic, officers discovered a crawl space with two tunnels. Davis was ultimately found there and taken into custody after resisting arrest, police said.

He was booked into the Pratt County Jail on requested charges of violating a protection order, assault, assault of a law enforcement officer, interference with law enforcement and stalking.

No officers or citizens were injured during the incident.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758469619399.jpeg" alt="Photo Pratt County Sheriff's Office" />
                        <figcaption>Photo Pratt County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>PRATT COUNTY—A Pratt man is in custody after a standoff Friday evening in which police said he barricaded himself inside a home and resisted arrest.</p><p>Just before 5p.m. September 19, officers responded&nbsp; to a reported disturbance in the 700 block of Champa Street, according to&nbsp;According to the Pratt Police Department. A woman caller identified Jacob Davis, 36, of Pratt, as the suspect and reported there was an active protection-from-abuse order against him.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758498462693.png" alt="Davis photo Pratt Co. Sheriff" />
                        <figcaption>Davis photo Pratt Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>Police said Davis left the scene in a tan Chevrolet Suburban. A short time later, officers received another report that a vehicle matching that description nearly struck another driver near Champa and Green Street.</p><p>By 6 p.m., the reporting party told officers that Davis had driven past her residence honking his horn, and minutes later alleged that he returned and threw mortar-style fireworks toward children in the area. No injuries were reported.</p><p>At 6:48 p.m., officers located Davis at his residence at 1002 Champa. Police said he refused commands, retreated into the house and barricaded himself inside after officers used pepper spray to deter two aggressive dogs.</p><p>The Pratt County Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team was called to assist. After deploying chemical agents and clearing the home’s main floor and attic, officers discovered a crawl space with two tunnels. Davis was ultimately found there and taken into custody after resisting arrest, police said.</p><p>He was booked into the Pratt County Jail on requested charges of violating a protection order, assault, assault of a law enforcement officer, interference with law enforcement and stalking.</p><p>No officers or citizens were injured during the incident.</p>

Assault suspect found hiding in crawl space of Kansas home

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A man accused of child sex crimes in Wichita made his first court appearance in the case Friday. Gonzalo Ramirez was charged with aggravated kidnapping, aggravated criminal sodomy and aggravated indecent solicitation of a child, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Just before 6a.m. on Sept. 15, police were dispatched to a report of a sexual assault of a minor that occurred in the 1500 block of South Kansas in Wichita, according to a media release.

The investigation revealed that a minor was waiting for the school bus when they were approached by a 31-year-old male suspect, not known to her.&nbsp; The suspect, identified according to Sedgwick County booking records as Gonzalo Ramirez, lured the minor into a vehicle and committed the assault.

Officers quickly located Ramirez who was taken into custody and booked into the Sedgwick County Jail.&nbsp; He remains in custody on a $500,000.00 bond, according to online jail records.

The Wichita Police Department reminds parents and guardians to:

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758056137846.png" alt="Ramirez photo Sedgwick County" />
                        <figcaption>Ramirez photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A man accused of child sex crimes in Wichita made his first court appearance in the case Friday. Gonzalo Ramirez was charged with aggravated kidnapping, aggravated criminal sodomy and aggravated indecent solicitation of a child, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.</p><p>Just before 6a.m. on Sept. 15, police were dispatched to a report of a sexual assault of a minor that occurred in the 1500 block of South Kansas in Wichita, according to a media release.</p><p>The investigation revealed that a minor was waiting for the school bus when they were approached by a 31-year-old male suspect, not known to her.&nbsp; The suspect, identified according to Sedgwick County booking records as Gonzalo Ramirez, lured the minor into a vehicle and committed the assault.</p><p>Officers quickly located Ramirez who was taken into custody and booked into the Sedgwick County Jail.&nbsp; He remains in custody on a $500,000.00 bond, according to online jail records.</p><p>The Wichita Police Department reminds parents and guardians to:</p><ul>
                        <li>Speak with their children about the dangers of speaking with strangers or entering vehicles with unknown individuals.</li><li>Encourage children to immediately notify a trusted adult and call 911 if they feel unsafe or encounter a similar situation.</li>
                    </ul>

Suspect in Kan. school bus stop sex assault faced a judge

KANSAS CITY —A child was injured in an accident that occurred just after 1p.m. Saturday in Kansas City, Missouri.

A black SUV was northbound on N. Jackson approaching East Windsor Street, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina. At the same time a boy&nbsp; under the age of 10 was riding a scooter on East Windsor. The child failed to stop at the stop sign causing a collision. 

EMS transported the child to an area hospital for treatment of critical injuries, according to Becchina.&nbsp; The driver of the SUV remained at the scene and is cooperating with officers. The accident remains under investigation.

<p>KANSAS CITY —A child was injured in an accident that occurred just after 1p.m. Saturday in Kansas City, Missouri.</p><p>A black SUV was northbound on N. Jackson approaching East Windsor Street, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchina. At the same time a boy&nbsp; under the age of 10 was riding a scooter on East Windsor. The child failed to stop at the stop sign causing a collision. </p><p>EMS transported the child to an area hospital for treatment of critical injuries, according to Becchina.&nbsp; The driver of the SUV remained at the scene and is cooperating with officers. The accident remains under investigation.</p>

Child hospitalized in Kansas City after SUV, scooter crash 

WASHINGTON (AP) —The U.S. Treasure is proposing regulations for President Trump's ' no tax on tips.'&nbsp; The regulations proposed by the U.S. Treasury on Friday detail the occupations covered, who will qualify and what counts as a qualified tip:

1. The tip must be voluntarily given, so mandatory tips or auto-gratuities would not qualify for the “no tax on tips” benefit.

2. Tip pools and similar arrangements qualify, so long as they are reported to the IRS and voluntary.

3. The benefit is not available to married individuals who file their taxes separately.

4. The tip must be given in cash, check, debit card, gift card or any item exchangeable for a fixed amount of cash, unlike digital assets.

5. Any amount received for illegal activity, prostitution services, or pornographic activity does not qualify as a tip

A provision in the Republicans’ massive tax and spending law allows certain workers to deduct up to $25,000 in “qualified tips” from their federal income taxes each year from 2025 through 2028. The deduction phases out for taxpayers with a modified adjusted gross income over $150,000.

<p>WASHINGTON (AP) —The U.S. Treasure is proposing regulations for President Trump's ' no tax on tips.'&nbsp; The regulations proposed by the U.S. Treasury on Friday detail the occupations covered, who will qualify and what counts as a qualified tip:</p><p>1. The tip must be voluntarily given, so mandatory tips or auto-gratuities would not qualify for the “no tax on tips” benefit.</p><p>2. Tip pools and similar arrangements qualify, so long as they are reported to the IRS and voluntary.</p><p>3. The benefit is not available to married individuals who file their taxes separately.</p><p>4. The tip must be given in cash, check, debit card, gift card or any item exchangeable for a fixed amount of cash, unlike digital assets.</p><p>5. Any amount received for illegal activity, prostitution services, or pornographic activity does not qualify as a tip</p><p>A provision in the Republicans’ massive tax and spending law allows certain workers to deduct up to $25,000 in “qualified tips” from their federal income taxes each year from 2025 through 2028. The deduction phases out for taxpayers with a modified adjusted gross income over $150,000.</p>

Treasury proposes regulations for the ‘no tax on tips’ law

Drugstores are ready to deliver updated COVID-19 vaccines this fall and insurers plan to pay for them, even though the shots no longer come recommended by an important government committee.

On Friday,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cdc-advisers-vaccines-hepatitis-b-covid19-a1fb61ef7e29d93d2828618d890cceb3">vaccine advisers</a>&nbsp;picked by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. declined to specifically recommend the shots but said people could make individual decisions on whether to get them.

The recommendations from the advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention require sign-off by the agency's director, but they are almost always adopted.

Those recommendations normally trigger several layers of insurance coverage and allow drugstores in many states to deliver the shots. But insurers and government officials have said coverage will continue, and several states have allowed for vaccine access through pharmacies, the most common place to get shots.

Many people start seeking vaccinations in the late summer or early fall to get protection against any winter surges in cases.

Many are expected to do so, but you still may want to check with yours.

The Department of Health and Human Services said Friday that the committee vote “provides for immunization coverage through all payment mechanisms.” An HHS spokesperson said that includes Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program, commercial coverage sold through health insurance marketplaces and the federal Vaccines for Children program, which pays for roughly half of childhood vaccinations in the U.S. each year.

The VFC program normally automatically covers any vaccines recommended by the CDC committee.

The trade group America's Health Insurance Plans said earlier this week that its members will continue to cover the shots at no cost to patients through 2026.

That group includes every major insurer except UnitedHealthcare. And that insurer has said it will continue covering the vaccine at no cost for its standard commercial coverage, which includes plans offered for individuals and through small businesses.

One caveat: Large employers that offer coverage will make their own decisions on the vaccines.

They may be motivated to continue coverage: The vaccines can help ward off expensive hospital bills from people who develop a bad case of COVID-19.

About two-thirds of adults get COVID-19 shots at pharmacies, and around 30% receive them at doctors’ offices, according to CDC data.

Access to the shots has grown after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-vaccine-access-limitations-645d64cee13664840fc9a39ff2d309c0">a clunky start</a>&nbsp;to vaccine season that saw some people travel to nearby states when they couldn't make appointments at pharmacies closer to home.

Drugstore chains like CVS say their locations are stocked with the latest vaccines, and they now are able to deliver vaccinations in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Prescriptions are required in D.C. and a handful of states, including Florida and Georgia, CVS Health spokeswoman Amy Thibault said.

Walgreens also requires prescriptions in a few states, a company spokesperson said.

Until now, the U.S. has recommended yearly COVID-19 shots for everyone age 6 months and older.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vaccines-covid-shots-fda-kennedy-pfizer-children-9ce19908ae7afb354732aa162fd28532">recently approved</a>&nbsp;the shots for all people age 65 and older, and for younger adults and children with conditions that put them at high risk for catching a bad case of COVID-19.

The CDC maintains&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/covid/risk-factors/index.html">a long list</a>&nbsp;of conditions that would put someone at high risk, including asthma, cancer, heart or lung problems, obesity, depression and a history of smoking. It also includes those who are physically inactive, and the agency notes that this list is not conclusive.

Patients can consult with their doctor or care provider to decide whether they are high risk if they don't have a condition on that list.

Both CVS and Walgreens representatives say their companies will ask patients under age 65 if they have any of these factors. They won't require proof.

“In simplest terms, if a patient says they’re eligible, they will get the vaccine,” said Thibault, the CVS Health spokeswoman.

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

<p>By TOM MURPHY <br>AP Health Writer</p><p>Drugstores are ready to deliver updated COVID-19 vaccines this fall and insurers plan to pay for them, even though the shots no longer come recommended by an important government committee.</p><p>On Friday,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cdc-advisers-vaccines-hepatitis-b-covid19-a1fb61ef7e29d93d2828618d890cceb3">vaccine advisers</a>&nbsp;picked by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. declined to specifically recommend the shots but said people could make individual decisions on whether to get them.</p><p>The recommendations from the advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention require sign-off by the agency's director, but they are almost always adopted.</p><p>Those recommendations normally trigger several layers of insurance coverage and allow drugstores in many states to deliver the shots. But insurers and government officials have said coverage will continue, and several states have allowed for vaccine access through pharmacies, the most common place to get shots.</p><p>Many people start seeking vaccinations in the late summer or early fall to get protection against any winter surges in cases.</p><p>Here's a closer look at the issue.</p><h2>Will insurers cover these shots?</h2><p>Many are expected to do so, but you still may want to check with yours.</p><p>The Department of Health and Human Services said Friday that the committee vote “provides for immunization coverage through all payment mechanisms.” An HHS spokesperson said that includes Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program, commercial coverage sold through health insurance marketplaces and the federal Vaccines for Children program, which pays for roughly half of childhood vaccinations in the U.S. each year.</p><p>The VFC program normally automatically covers any vaccines recommended by the CDC committee.</p><p>The trade group America's Health Insurance Plans said earlier this week that its members will continue to cover the shots at no cost to patients through 2026.</p><p>That group includes every major insurer except UnitedHealthcare. And that insurer has said it will continue covering the vaccine at no cost for its standard commercial coverage, which includes plans offered for individuals and through small businesses.</p><p>One caveat: Large employers that offer coverage will make their own decisions on the vaccines.</p><p>They may be motivated to continue coverage: The vaccines can help ward off expensive hospital bills from people who develop a bad case of COVID-19.</p><h2>Where people can get vaccinations</h2><p>About two-thirds of adults get COVID-19 shots at pharmacies, and around 30% receive them at doctors’ offices, according to CDC data.</p><p>Access to the shots has grown after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-vaccine-access-limitations-645d64cee13664840fc9a39ff2d309c0">a clunky start</a>&nbsp;to vaccine season that saw some people travel to nearby states when they couldn't make appointments at pharmacies closer to home.</p><p>Drugstore chains like CVS say their locations are stocked with the latest vaccines, and they now are able to deliver vaccinations in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Prescriptions are required in D.C. and a handful of states, including Florida and Georgia, CVS Health spokeswoman Amy Thibault said.</p><p>Walgreens also requires prescriptions in a few states, a company spokesperson said.</p><h2>Who can get the shot</h2><p>Until now, the U.S. has recommended yearly COVID-19 shots for everyone age 6 months and older.</p><p>The U.S. Food and Drug Administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vaccines-covid-shots-fda-kennedy-pfizer-children-9ce19908ae7afb354732aa162fd28532">recently approved</a>&nbsp;the shots for all people age 65 and older, and for younger adults and children with conditions that put them at high risk for catching a bad case of COVID-19.</p><p>The CDC maintains&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/covid/risk-factors/index.html">a long list</a>&nbsp;of conditions that would put someone at high risk, including asthma, cancer, heart or lung problems, obesity, depression and a history of smoking. It also includes those who are physically inactive, and the agency notes that this list is not conclusive.</p><p>Patients can consult with their doctor or care provider to decide whether they are high risk if they don't have a condition on that list.</p><p>Both CVS and Walgreens representatives say their companies will ask patients under age 65 if they have any of these factors. They won't require proof.</p><p>“In simplest terms, if a patient says they’re eligible, they will get the vaccine,” said Thibault, the CVS Health spokeswoman.</p><p>___</p><p>The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.</p>

How to get a COVID-19 shot and ensure it's covered by your insurance

ROME (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/pope-leo-xiv">Pope Leo XIV</a>&nbsp;said in his first interview as history's first American pope that he has no intention of getting involved in U.S. politics but will raise his voice on issues of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-trump-migration-09a89091f8e7dc3270099f0947d04e90">concern to the Catholic Church, including on immigration</a>.

Leo spoke on a range of topics — from the Trump administration to the clergy sexual abuse crisis, welcoming LGBTQ+ Catholics and Vatican-China relations — in the interview, published Thursday. It was conducted by Vatican correspondent Elise Ann Allen of the news site Crux for a biography of Leo that was published Thursday in Peru, where Leo was bishop for many years.

Leo embraced Pope Francis’ message for LGBTQ+ Catholics that “todos, todos, todos” are welcome in the Catholic Church but said that he found “it highly unlikely” the church’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-comments-about-lgbtq-people-e34d133b77ee692141a22626c4e18eec">core doctrine about sexuality</a>&nbsp;would change anytime soon.

The Catholic Church teaches that homosexual people must be treated with dignity and respect, but that homosexual activity is “intrinsically disordered.” It opposes gay marriage, saying marriage is a union between a man and woman.

“Everyone’s invited in, but I don’t invite a person in because they are or are not of any specific identity. I invite a person in because they are a son or daughter of God,” he said.

“I think we have to change attitudes before we even think about changing what the church says about any given question,” he said.

Leo said he didn’t foresee any short-term changes in the Vatican's controversial&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-china-pope-beijing-e322c14ea9ceae11fd72e90b7bc73076">2018 agreement with Beijing</a>&nbsp;over bishop nominations.

The Vatican under Pope Francis had inked the accord hoping it would help unite China’s estimated 12 million Catholics, long divided between those belonging to an official, state-sanctioned church and an underground church loyal to Rome.

“I in no way pretend to be wiser or more experienced than all those who have come before me,” Leo said, adding he was studying the issue and speaking with Chinese people “on both sides" about it.

The Vatican has defended the 2018 accord against criticism that Francis sold out the underground faithful, who endured decades of persecution by the Beijing authorities. The Vatican has said the deal was necessary to prevent an even worse schism in the Chinese church after China named bishops without the pope’s consent.

Leo said the sex abuse crisis is “a real crisis” that has not yet been solved, and that the church&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-abuse-victim-survivor-trauma-6cfef8f4e77db777df660bbc4d855758">still hasn't found a way</a>&nbsp;to help victims heal. But he also said the rights of priests must be respected.

“Statistics show that well over 90% of people who come forward and make accusations, they are authentically victims. They are telling the truth. They are not making this up," he said. "But there have also been proven cases of some kind of false accusation. There have been priests whose lives have been destroyed because of that.”

The pope also said the scandal “cannot become the center focus of the church.”

Leo was instrumental in helping victims of an abusive Peruvian group find justice but he has been accused by a U.S. victim advocacy group of not doing enough to help other Peruvian victims.

Leo said he recognized the influence of the United States on world affairs and mentioned migration as one of the issue important to the Catholic Church.

He recalled a letter Francis sent to U.S. bishops earlier this year rebuking the Trump administration's plans for mass deportations of migrants. The letter took direct aim at Vice President JD&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jd-vance-catholic-bishops-migration-94138954824b68dbd0b29b28504e056e">Vance’s defense of the deportation program</a>&nbsp;on theological grounds.

Leo praised Francis' initiative and said U.S. bishops showed “courage” in confronting the administration, expressing hopes they would continue to take the lead on such issues.

“One of the last conversations I had with the vice president of the United States – I have not had direct conversations with or have not met the president – I talked about human dignity and how important that is for all people, wherever you’re born, and hopefully to find ways to respect human beings and the way we treat them in the policies and choices we make," Leo said.

Leo made clear he is not a Trump supporter, adding that he and his brother Luis Prevost, a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-vance-leo-vatican-ukraine-russia-trump-c1572b31e231e4eee61baaaad5c1445f">self-described “MAGA-type,” who has met the U.S. president</a>&nbsp;are in "different places.”

“The United States is a power player on the world level, we have to recognize that, and sometimes decisions are made more based on economics than on human dignity and human support, but (we have to) continue to challenge and to raise some questions and to see the best way to do that,” Leo said.

Leo vowed to continue&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-leo-women-priests-ordination-42d51fae16606dd561553362b16e500f">appointing women to leadership positions</a>&nbsp;in the church, but tamped down any hopes of ordaining women as deacons or as priests. He pointed to an ongoing study by the Vatican’s doctrine office on the issue.

“I at the moment don’t have an intention of changing the teaching of the church on the topic,” he said. “I am certainly willing to continue to listen to people.”

Leo inherited a longstanding&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-leo-finance-donations-0daf975d09f477bd6f7f03eb8b737d6a">financial crunch at the Vatican</a>, which has been running a 50 million to 60 million euro ($57 million to $68 million) structural deficit, a 1 billion euro ($1.14 billion)&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pension-pope-a48ab7b6392e1821388aa498d94c0a19">pension fund shortfall</a>&nbsp;and declining donations.

The crisis hit hardest during the pandemic when the Holy See’s main source of revenue — the Vatican Museums — closed down.

But things are improving and “it is not the crisis that people have been led to believe,” Leo said.

“I’m not saying we can relax," he said. "I don’t think the crisis is over, I think we have to continue to work on this, but I’m not losing sleep over it, and I think that it’s important that we communicate a different message.”

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1747390720796.png" alt="Pope Leo XIV image courtesy CSPAN" />
                        <figcaption>Pope Leo XIV image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>ROME (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/pope-leo-xiv">Pope Leo XIV</a>&nbsp;said in his first interview as history's first American pope that he has no intention of getting involved in U.S. politics but will raise his voice on issues of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-trump-migration-09a89091f8e7dc3270099f0947d04e90">concern to the Catholic Church, including on immigration</a>.</p><p>Leo spoke on a range of topics — from the Trump administration to the clergy sexual abuse crisis, welcoming LGBTQ+ Catholics and Vatican-China relations — in the interview, published Thursday. It was conducted by Vatican correspondent Elise Ann Allen of the news site Crux for a biography of Leo that was published Thursday in Peru, where Leo was bishop for many years.</p><p>Here are some highlights:</p><h2>Welcoming the LGBTQ+ community</h2><p>Leo embraced Pope Francis’ message for LGBTQ+ Catholics that “todos, todos, todos” are welcome in the Catholic Church but said that he found “it highly unlikely” the church’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-comments-about-lgbtq-people-e34d133b77ee692141a22626c4e18eec">core doctrine about sexuality</a>&nbsp;would change anytime soon.</p><p>The Catholic Church teaches that homosexual people must be treated with dignity and respect, but that homosexual activity is “intrinsically disordered.” It opposes gay marriage, saying marriage is a union between a man and woman.</p><p>“Everyone’s invited in, but I don’t invite a person in because they are or are not of any specific identity. I invite a person in because they are a son or daughter of God,” he said.</p><p>“I think we have to change attitudes before we even think about changing what the church says about any given question,” he said.</p><h2>Ties with China</h2><p>Leo said he didn’t foresee any short-term changes in the Vatican's controversial&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-china-pope-beijing-e322c14ea9ceae11fd72e90b7bc73076">2018 agreement with Beijing</a>&nbsp;over bishop nominations.</p><p>The Vatican under Pope Francis had inked the accord hoping it would help unite China’s estimated 12 million Catholics, long divided between those belonging to an official, state-sanctioned church and an underground church loyal to Rome.</p><p>“I in no way pretend to be wiser or more experienced than all those who have come before me,” Leo said, adding he was studying the issue and speaking with Chinese people “on both sides" about it.</p><p>The Vatican has defended the 2018 accord against criticism that Francis sold out the underground faithful, who endured decades of persecution by the Beijing authorities. The Vatican has said the deal was necessary to prevent an even worse schism in the Chinese church after China named bishops without the pope’s consent.</p><h2>Sex abuse scandals</h2><p>Leo said the sex abuse crisis is “a real crisis” that has not yet been solved, and that the church&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-abuse-victim-survivor-trauma-6cfef8f4e77db777df660bbc4d855758">still hasn't found a way</a>&nbsp;to help victims heal. But he also said the rights of priests must be respected.</p><p>“Statistics show that well over 90% of people who come forward and make accusations, they are authentically victims. They are telling the truth. They are not making this up," he said. "But there have also been proven cases of some kind of false accusation. There have been priests whose lives have been destroyed because of that.”</p><p>The pope also said the scandal “cannot become the center focus of the church.”</p><p>Leo was instrumental in helping victims of an abusive Peruvian group find justice but he has been accused by a U.S. victim advocacy group of not doing enough to help other Peruvian victims.</p><h2>Trump and US politics</h2><p>Leo said he recognized the influence of the United States on world affairs and mentioned migration as one of the issue important to the Catholic Church.</p><p>He recalled a letter Francis sent to U.S. bishops earlier this year rebuking the Trump administration's plans for mass deportations of migrants. The letter took direct aim at Vice President JD&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jd-vance-catholic-bishops-migration-94138954824b68dbd0b29b28504e056e">Vance’s defense of the deportation program</a>&nbsp;on theological grounds.</p><p>Leo praised Francis' initiative and said U.S. bishops showed “courage” in confronting the administration, expressing hopes they would continue to take the lead on such issues.</p><p>“One of the last conversations I had with the vice president of the United States – I have not had direct conversations with or have not met the president – I talked about human dignity and how important that is for all people, wherever you’re born, and hopefully to find ways to respect human beings and the way we treat them in the policies and choices we make," Leo said.</p><p>Leo made clear he is not a Trump supporter, adding that he and his brother Luis Prevost, a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-vance-leo-vatican-ukraine-russia-trump-c1572b31e231e4eee61baaaad5c1445f">self-described “MAGA-type,” who has met the U.S. president</a>&nbsp;are in "different places.”</p><p>“The United States is a power player on the world level, we have to recognize that, and sometimes decisions are made more based on economics than on human dignity and human support, but (we have to) continue to challenge and to raise some questions and to see the best way to do that,” Leo said.</p><h2>Women's voices</h2><p>Leo vowed to continue&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-leo-women-priests-ordination-42d51fae16606dd561553362b16e500f">appointing women to leadership positions</a>&nbsp;in the church, but tamped down any hopes of ordaining women as deacons or as priests. He pointed to an ongoing study by the Vatican’s doctrine office on the issue.</p><p>“I at the moment don’t have an intention of changing the teaching of the church on the topic,” he said. “I am certainly willing to continue to listen to people.”</p><h2>Vatican finances</h2><p>Leo inherited a longstanding&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-leo-finance-donations-0daf975d09f477bd6f7f03eb8b737d6a">financial crunch at the Vatican</a>, which has been running a 50 million to 60 million euro ($57 million to $68 million) structural deficit, a 1 billion euro ($1.14 billion)&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pension-pope-a48ab7b6392e1821388aa498d94c0a19">pension fund shortfall</a>&nbsp;and declining donations.</p><p>The crisis hit hardest during the pandemic when the Holy See’s main source of revenue — the Vatican Museums — closed down.</p><p>But things are improving and “it is not the crisis that people have been led to believe,” Leo said.</p><p>“I’m not saying we can relax," he said. "I don’t think the crisis is over, I think we have to continue to work on this, but I’m not losing sleep over it, and I think that it’s important that we communicate a different message.”</p><p>___</p>

Highlights from Pope Leo's first interview as history's first American pope

By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/cora-lewis">CORA LEWIS</a>

NEW YORK (AP) — The Federal Reserve cut its benchmark interest rate Wednesday for the first time in nine months. Since the last cut,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-federal-reserve-powell-287af1c758a30d67f5384d17423c5029">progress on inflation has slowed</a>&nbsp;while the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unemployment-benefits-jobless-claims-layoffs-labor-a69fc3afbbebe731c29824b855e3c83f">labor market has cooled</a>. That means Americans are dealing with both high prices and a challenging job market.

The federal funds rate, set by the Federal Reserve, is the rate at which banks borrow and lend to one another. While the rates that consumers pay to borrow money aren’t directly linked to this rate, shifts in Fed policy affect what people pay for credit cards, auto loans, mortgages, and other financial products.

Wednesday’s quarter-point cut is the first since December and lowers the Fed’s short-term rate to about 4.1%, down from 4.3%. The Fed projected it will cut rates two more times before the end of the year.

The Fed has two goals when it sets the rate: one, to manage prices for goods and services, and two, to encourage full employment. This is known as the “dual mandate.” Typically, the Fed might increase the rate to try to bring down inflation and decrease it to encourage faster economic growth and more hiring. The challenge now is that inflation is higher than the Fed’s 2% target but the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jobs-economy-revisions-labor-department-f4a29a2b948f7bce0d6558824ffe0fd5">job market is weak</a>, putting the Fed in a difficult position.

“The dual mandate is always a balancing act,” said Elizabeth Renter, senior economist at personal finance site NerdWallet.

For prospective homebuyers, the market has already&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mortgage-rates-housing-interest-financing-home-0006ffb29d80352c87da5b2b5b08e8fa">priced in the rate cut</a>, which means it’s “unlikely to make a noticeable difference for most consumers at the time of the announcement,” according to Bankrate financial analyst Stephen Kates.

“Much of the impact on mortgage rates has already occurred through anticipation alone,” he said. "(Mortgage) rates have been falling since January and dropped further as weaker-than-expected economic data pointed to a cooling economy.”

Still, Kates said a declining interest rate environment will provide some relief for borrowers over time.

“Whether it’s a homeowner with a 7% mortgage or a recent graduate hoping to refinance student loans and credit card debt, lower rates can ease the burden on many indebted households by opening opportunities to refinance or consolidate,” he said.

Interest on savings accounts won’t be as appealing

For savers, falling interest rates will slowly erode attractive yields currently on offer with certificates of deposit (CDs) and high-yield savings accounts.

Right now, the best rates on offer for each have been hovering at or above 4% for CDs and at 4.6% for high-yield savings accounts, according to DepositAccounts.com.

Those are still better than the trends of recent years, and a good option for consumers who want to earn a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bank-accounts-economy-savings-dbf6c9d356de2349ec89ed9e3c99168c">return on money</a>&nbsp;they may want to access in the near-term. A high-yield savings account generally has a much higher annual percentage yield than a traditional savings account. The national average for traditional savings accounts is currently 0.38%.

There may be a few accounts with returns of about 4% through the end of 2025, according to Ken Tumin, founder of DepositAccounts.com, but the Fed cuts will filter down to these offerings, lowering the average yields as they do.

Auto loans are not expected to decline soon

Americans have faced&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/cars">steeper auto loan rates</a>&nbsp;over the last three years after the Fed raised its benchmark interest rate starting in early 2022. Those are not expected to decline any time soon. While a cut will contribute to eventual relief, it might be slow in arriving, analysts say.

“If the auto market starts to freeze up and people aren’t buying cars, then we may see lending margins start to shrink, but auto loan rates don’t move in lockstep with the Fed rate,” said Bankrate analyst Stephen Kates.

Prices for new cars have leveled off recently, but remain at historically high levels, not adjusting for inflation.

Generally speaking, an auto loan annual percentage rate can run from about 4% to 30%. Bankrate’s most recent weekly survey found that average auto loan interest rates are currently at 7.19% on a 60-month new car loan.

Interest rates for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/credit-cards-trump-usury-vanderbilt-university-51e378f1d7bb29ed904e15e170ba3f89">credit cards</a>&nbsp;are currently at an average of 20.13%, and the Fed’s rate cut may be slow to be felt by anyone carrying a large amount of credit card debt. That said, any reduction is positive news.

“While the broader impact of a rate reduction on consumers’ financial health remains to be fully seen, it could offer some relief from the persistent budgetary pressures driven by inflation,” said Michele Raneri, vice president and head of U.S. research at credit reporting agency TransUnion.

“These savings could contribute to a reduction in delinquency rates across credit card and unsecured personal loan segments,” she said.

Still, the best thing for anyone carrying a large credit card balance is to prioritize paying down high-interest-rate debt, and to seek to transfer any amounts possible to lower APR cards or negotiate directly with credit card companies for accommodation.

The Associated Press receives support from Charles Schwab Foundation for educational and explanatory reporting to improve financial literacy. The independent foundation is separate from Charles Schwab and Co. Inc. The AP is solely responsible for its journalism.

<p>By&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/cora-lewis">CORA LEWIS</a></p><p>NEW YORK (AP) — The Federal Reserve cut its benchmark interest rate Wednesday for the first time in nine months. Since the last cut,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-federal-reserve-powell-287af1c758a30d67f5384d17423c5029">progress on inflation has slowed</a>&nbsp;while the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unemployment-benefits-jobless-claims-layoffs-labor-a69fc3afbbebe731c29824b855e3c83f">labor market has cooled</a>. That means Americans are dealing with both high prices and a challenging job market.</p><p>The federal funds rate, set by the Federal Reserve, is the rate at which banks borrow and lend to one another. While the rates that consumers pay to borrow money aren’t directly linked to this rate, shifts in Fed policy affect what people pay for credit cards, auto loans, mortgages, and other financial products.</p><p>Wednesday’s quarter-point cut is the first since December and lowers the Fed’s short-term rate to about 4.1%, down from 4.3%. The Fed projected it will cut rates two more times before the end of the year.</p><p>The Fed has two goals when it sets the rate: one, to manage prices for goods and services, and two, to encourage full employment. This is known as the “dual mandate.” Typically, the Fed might increase the rate to try to bring down inflation and decrease it to encourage faster economic growth and more hiring. The challenge now is that inflation is higher than the Fed’s 2% target but the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jobs-economy-revisions-labor-department-f4a29a2b948f7bce0d6558824ffe0fd5">job market is weak</a>, putting the Fed in a difficult position.</p><p>“The dual mandate is always a balancing act,” said Elizabeth Renter, senior economist at personal finance site NerdWallet.</p><p>Here’s what to know:</p><h2>A cut will impact mortgages gradually</h2><p>For prospective homebuyers, the market has already&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mortgage-rates-housing-interest-financing-home-0006ffb29d80352c87da5b2b5b08e8fa">priced in the rate cut</a>, which means it’s “unlikely to make a noticeable difference for most consumers at the time of the announcement,” according to Bankrate financial analyst Stephen Kates.</p><p>“Much of the impact on mortgage rates has already occurred through anticipation alone,” he said. "(Mortgage) rates have been falling since January and dropped further as weaker-than-expected economic data pointed to a cooling economy.”</p><p>Still, Kates said a declining interest rate environment will provide some relief for borrowers over time.</p><p>“Whether it’s a homeowner with a 7% mortgage or a recent graduate hoping to refinance student loans and credit card debt, lower rates can ease the burden on many indebted households by opening opportunities to refinance or consolidate,” he said.</p><h2>Interest on savings accounts won’t be as appealing</h2><p>For savers, falling interest rates will slowly erode attractive yields currently on offer with certificates of deposit (CDs) and high-yield savings accounts.</p><p>Right now, the best rates on offer for each have been hovering at or above 4% for CDs and at 4.6% for high-yield savings accounts, according to DepositAccounts.com.</p><p>Those are still better than the trends of recent years, and a good option for consumers who want to earn a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bank-accounts-economy-savings-dbf6c9d356de2349ec89ed9e3c99168c">return on money</a>&nbsp;they may want to access in the near-term. A high-yield savings account generally has a much higher annual percentage yield than a traditional savings account. The national average for traditional savings accounts is currently 0.38%.</p><p>There may be a few accounts with returns of about 4% through the end of 2025, according to Ken Tumin, founder of DepositAccounts.com, but the Fed cuts will filter down to these offerings, lowering the average yields as they do.</p><h2>Auto loans are not expected to decline soon</h2><p>Americans have faced&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/cars">steeper auto loan rates</a>&nbsp;over the last three years after the Fed raised its benchmark interest rate starting in early 2022. Those are not expected to decline any time soon. While a cut will contribute to eventual relief, it might be slow in arriving, analysts say.</p><p>“If the auto market starts to freeze up and people aren’t buying cars, then we may see lending margins start to shrink, but auto loan rates don’t move in lockstep with the Fed rate,” said Bankrate analyst Stephen Kates.</p><p>Prices for new cars have leveled off recently, but remain at historically high levels, not adjusting for inflation.</p><p>Generally speaking, an auto loan annual percentage rate can run from about 4% to 30%. Bankrate’s most recent weekly survey found that average auto loan interest rates are currently at 7.19% on a 60-month new car loan.</p><h2>Credit card rate relief could be slow</h2><p>Interest rates for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/credit-cards-trump-usury-vanderbilt-university-51e378f1d7bb29ed904e15e170ba3f89">credit cards</a>&nbsp;are currently at an average of 20.13%, and the Fed’s rate cut may be slow to be felt by anyone carrying a large amount of credit card debt. That said, any reduction is positive news.</p><p>“While the broader impact of a rate reduction on consumers’ financial health remains to be fully seen, it could offer some relief from the persistent budgetary pressures driven by inflation,” said Michele Raneri, vice president and head of U.S. research at credit reporting agency TransUnion.</p><p>“These savings could contribute to a reduction in delinquency rates across credit card and unsecured personal loan segments,” she said.</p><p>Still, the best thing for anyone carrying a large credit card balance is to prioritize paying down high-interest-rate debt, and to seek to transfer any amounts possible to lower APR cards or negotiate directly with credit card companies for accommodation.</p><p>___</p><p>The Associated Press receives support from Charles Schwab Foundation for educational and explanatory reporting to improve financial literacy. The independent foundation is separate from Charles Schwab and Co. Inc. The AP is solely responsible for its journalism.</p>

What the Fed rate interest cut will mean for your finances

SEWARD COUNTY– The U.S. Marshals are seeking the public’s help and offering a reward of up to&nbsp;$5,000&nbsp;for information leading to the arrest of a Guatemalan man wanted in Seward County on multiple counts of crimes against children, according to a media release.

Juan Ralios-Batz, (estimated age) 30, is wanted on three counts of rape of a child, one count of aggravated kidnapping, one count of aggravated human trafficking, and one count of abuse of a child.

Batz and his sister are alleged to have sponsored a 13-year-old unaccompanied alien child and, over a two-year-period, Batz allegedly raped the child and forced the child to do manual labor. &nbsp;The child eventually became pregnant and has a child with Batz. When Batz became aware of his wanted status, his family allegedly helped him escape to Fremont, Nebraska, to evade the charges against him. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Batz is a white or Hispanic man, stands 5-feet-1 inch and weighs approximately 115 pounds. He has brown eyes and black hair and a tattoo of the letter J on his right arm.&nbsp;

Batz, who is in the U.S. illegally, is known to use multiple aliases, including Juan Ralios, Juan Batz, Randy Guerro, Juan Ramos-Batz, Juan Ramos and Omar Gonzalez.&nbsp;

Anyone with information regarding his location is urged to contact the U.S. Marshals at&nbsp;1-877-WANTED-2&nbsp;or send tip information via the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usmarshals.gov/what-we-do/fugitive-investigations/submitting-a-tip">USMS Tips App</a>.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758163504048.png" alt="Batz photo Seward Co." />
                        <figcaption>Batz photo Seward Co.</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>SEWARD COUNTY– The U.S. Marshals are seeking the public’s help and offering a reward of up to&nbsp;$5,000&nbsp;for information leading to the arrest of a Guatemalan man wanted in Seward County on multiple counts of crimes against children, according to a media release.</p><p>Juan Ralios-Batz, (estimated age) 30, is wanted on three counts of rape of a child, one count of aggravated kidnapping, one count of aggravated human trafficking, and one count of abuse of a child.</p><figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758163443530.png" alt="<br>" />
                        <figcaption><br></figcaption>
                    </figure><p>Batz and his sister are alleged to have sponsored a 13-year-old unaccompanied alien child and, over a two-year-period, Batz allegedly raped the child and forced the child to do manual labor. &nbsp;The child eventually became pregnant and has a child with Batz. When Batz became aware of his wanted status, his family allegedly helped him escape to Fremont, Nebraska, to evade the charges against him. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Batz is a white or Hispanic man, stands 5-feet-1 inch and weighs approximately 115 pounds. He has brown eyes and black hair and a tattoo of the letter J on his right arm.&nbsp;</p><p>Batz, who is in the U.S. illegally, is known to use multiple aliases, including Juan Ralios, Juan Batz, Randy Guerro, Juan Ramos-Batz, Juan Ramos and Omar Gonzalez.&nbsp;</p><p>Anyone with information regarding his location is urged to contact the U.S. Marshals at&nbsp;1-877-WANTED-2&nbsp;or send tip information via the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usmarshals.gov/what-we-do/fugitive-investigations/submitting-a-tip">USMS Tips App</a>.</p>

Search continues: Man in the U.S. illegally wanted for sex crimes in Kansas

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;and prominent members of his “Make America Great Again” movement will pay tribute Sunday to conservative activist&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-shooting-utah-university-republicans-8357c3d102de09e3320fde761258131a">Charlie Kirk</a>, whose&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-conservative-activist-shot-546165a8151104e0938a5e085be1e8bd">slaying</a>&nbsp;has marked a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-killing-america-divided-violence-politics-9b75c05301668fa033f9b4cc98b046c9">signal moment</a>&nbsp;in America’s fraught political atmosphere.

Or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.c-span.org/event/white-house-event/pres-trump-others-attend-memorial-service-for-late-charlie-kirk/436577">Click here to watch 1p.m. CDT</a>

The memorial service for Kirk, whom Trump credits with playing a pivotal role in his 2024 election victory, is expected to draw tens of thousands of mourners, including Vice President JD Vance, senior White House officials and young conservatives shaped by the 31-year-old firebrand.

Kirk’s assassination at a Sept. 10 appearance on a Utah college campus has set off a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-political-violence-shootings-utah-7b4e9b662932943a77635a0f8e839270">fierce debate about violence</a>, decency and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-workplace-speech-firing-29717a8612ccedebabc7cba29e7ef627">free speech</a>&nbsp;in an era of deep political division. The shooting also has stirred fear among some Americans that Trump is trying to harness outrage over the killing as justification to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kirk-trump-cancel-culture-assassination-4d69649e382ea46d8dcf794150a1d3c9">suppress the voices</a>&nbsp;of his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-justice-department-revenge-bolton-military-deployments-aa2b977621bce563770b60dade581f79">critics and political opponents</a>.

The service will take place at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-memorial-state-farm-stadium-ff4815a8ec8f4eb6f4855360a98a04fa">State Farm Stadium</a>, the home of the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals west of Phoenix, where Kirk's Turning Point organization is based. Security is expected to be tight, with a similar level of federal law enforcement presence as for the Super Bowl or other high-profile event.

Trump has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-charlie-kirk-radical-left-political-opposition-3875efd0674ed2a22a719dfb42ace6ab">blamed the “radical left”</a>&nbsp;for Kirk’s death and threatened to go after liberal organizations and donors or others whom he feels are maligning or celebrating Kirk's death.

He criticized House Democrats who voted against a House&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-congress-democrats-d081cf80ff514310f307590ff1d75f04">resolution that praised</a>&nbsp;“the life and legacy” of Kirk, which passed the Republican-controlled House on Friday.

“Who could vote against that? All (Republicans) were saying was ‘Please condemn the assassination of a human being,’” Trump told reporters. “And (Democrats) said, ’No, no, we’re not going to do that.’”

Dozens of people, from journalists to teachers, already have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-speech-republicans-firings-government-vance-e65a4939b80e4f4822db188e978d8812">lost their jobs</a>&nbsp;as prominent conservative activists and administration officials target comments about Kirk that they deem offensive or celebratory. The retaliation has in turn ignited a debate over the First Amendment as the Trump administration promises retribution against those who air what are seen as disparaging remarks in the wake of Kirk’s death.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jimmy-kimmel-show-suspended-charlie-kirk-2c79d56fa53779014f2bb2ed9e47da1f">ABC pulled Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show</a>&nbsp;off the air indefinitely following backlash from affiliated broadcasters and the Trump-appointed head of the Federal Communications Commission over the comedian’s remarks about Kirk.

The State Department also has warned it would revoke the visas of any foreigners who celebrated Kirk’s assassination.

The tens of thousands expected to fill the stadium in Glendale for Kirk’s memorial is a testament to the massive influence he accumulated in conservative America.

Kirk was a provocateur who at times made statements that some called racist, misogynistic, anti-immigrant and transphobic. That has drawn&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vance-kirk-host-show-husband-father-65cf1d42c2c2f4e85988402b5224da2a">backlash from conservatives</a>&nbsp;who view the criticism as cherry-picking a few select moments to insult the legacy they see of an inspirational conservative leader.

Kirk was a MAGA celebrity with a loyal following that turned out to support or argue with him as he traveled the country for the events like the one at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/utah-valley-university-charlie-kirk-fd5ca9b3b7338993970dd0a34dafb64b">Utah Valley University,</a>&nbsp;where he was fatally shot. Kirk grew the organization, in large part, through the force of his personality and debating chops.

Arizona is the adopted home state of Kirk, who grew up outside Chicago and founded Turning Point there before moving the organization to Phoenix. Vance, who has said Kirk's advocacy was a big reason Trump picked him to serve as vice president, transported Kirk’s casket from Utah to Arizona&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-jd-vance-turning-point-assassination-49501e2fdcb268c74c7dd929049abcd6">aboard Air Force Two</a>&nbsp;the day after his death, and he later served as a guest host of Kirk’s podcast.

Scheduled speakers at the service include Trump, Vance, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. Donald Trump Jr., right-wing commentator Tucker Carlson and White House aides Stephen Miller and Sergio Gor also are slated to speak.

Longtime worship leader Chris Tomlin will provide music, along with other big names in contemporary Christian music, including Brandon Lake, Phil Wickham, and husband-and-wife duo Kari Jobe Carnes and Cody Carnes.

Kirk’s widow, who has been named Turning Point’s new leader, also will speak. Erika Kirk pledged in an emotional speech days after his death that “the movement my husband built will not die.”

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758477644421.png" alt="Image from AP video" />
                        <figcaption>Image from AP video</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;and prominent members of his “Make America Great Again” movement will pay tribute Sunday to conservative activist&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-shooting-utah-university-republicans-8357c3d102de09e3320fde761258131a">Charlie Kirk</a>, whose&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-conservative-activist-shot-546165a8151104e0938a5e085be1e8bd">slaying</a>&nbsp;has marked a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-killing-america-divided-violence-politics-9b75c05301668fa033f9b4cc98b046c9">signal moment</a>&nbsp;in America’s fraught political atmosphere.</p><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DKGRfogo-l0?si=Ojm1zR4G3eUXUMTw" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><p>Or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.c-span.org/event/white-house-event/pres-trump-others-attend-memorial-service-for-late-charlie-kirk/436577">Click here to watch 1p.m. CDT</a></p><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">From everyday Americans to Cabinet Members—Charlie Kirk’s voice shaped a movement. Watch the message that inspired them all. ❤️⬇️ <a href="https://t.co/LlL88j53xq">pic.twitter.com/LlL88j53xq</a></p>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1969601349642764750?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><p>The memorial service for Kirk, whom Trump credits with playing a pivotal role in his 2024 election victory, is expected to draw tens of thousands of mourners, including Vice President JD Vance, senior White House officials and young conservatives shaped by the 31-year-old firebrand.</p><p>Kirk’s assassination at a Sept. 10 appearance on a Utah college campus has set off a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-political-violence-shootings-utah-7b4e9b662932943a77635a0f8e839270">fierce debate about violence</a>, decency and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-workplace-speech-firing-29717a8612ccedebabc7cba29e7ef627">free speech</a>&nbsp;in an era of deep political division. The shooting also has stirred fear among some Americans that Trump is trying to harness outrage over the killing as justification to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kirk-trump-cancel-culture-assassination-4d69649e382ea46d8dcf794150a1d3c9">suppress the voices</a>&nbsp;of his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-justice-department-revenge-bolton-military-deployments-aa2b977621bce563770b60dade581f79">critics and political opponents</a>.</p><p>The service will take place at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-memorial-state-farm-stadium-ff4815a8ec8f4eb6f4855360a98a04fa">State Farm Stadium</a>, the home of the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals west of Phoenix, where Kirk's Turning Point organization is based. Security is expected to be tight, with a similar level of federal law enforcement presence as for the Super Bowl or other high-profile event.</p><h2>Comments about Kirk have become a Trump administration target</h2><p>Trump has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-charlie-kirk-radical-left-political-opposition-3875efd0674ed2a22a719dfb42ace6ab">blamed the “radical left”</a>&nbsp;for Kirk’s death and threatened to go after liberal organizations and donors or others whom he feels are maligning or celebrating Kirk's death.</p><p>He criticized House Democrats who voted against a House&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-congress-democrats-d081cf80ff514310f307590ff1d75f04">resolution that praised</a>&nbsp;“the life and legacy” of Kirk, which passed the Republican-controlled House on Friday.</p><p>“Who could vote against that? All (Republicans) were saying was ‘Please condemn the assassination of a human being,’” Trump told reporters. “And (Democrats) said, ’No, no, we’re not going to do that.’”</p><p>Dozens of people, from journalists to teachers, already have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-speech-republicans-firings-government-vance-e65a4939b80e4f4822db188e978d8812">lost their jobs</a>&nbsp;as prominent conservative activists and administration officials target comments about Kirk that they deem offensive or celebratory. The retaliation has in turn ignited a debate over the First Amendment as the Trump administration promises retribution against those who air what are seen as disparaging remarks in the wake of Kirk’s death.</p><p><a href="https://apnews.com/article/jimmy-kimmel-show-suspended-charlie-kirk-2c79d56fa53779014f2bb2ed9e47da1f">ABC pulled Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show</a>&nbsp;off the air indefinitely following backlash from affiliated broadcasters and the Trump-appointed head of the Federal Communications Commission over the comedian’s remarks about Kirk.</p><p>The State Department also has warned it would revoke the visas of any foreigners who celebrated Kirk’s assassination.</p><p>A 22-year-old Utah man,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-shooting-suspect-things-to-know-dcde3f792f4d6636d44fb9f4fa53569c">Tyler Robinson</a>, has been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-tyler-robinson-court-death-penalty-f541df08a936e06497ee2342296bc398">charged with killing Kirk</a>&nbsp;and faces the death penalty if convicted of the most serious charges. Authorities have not revealed a clear motive in the shooting, but prosecutors say Robinson wrote in a text to his partner following the shooting that he “had enough” of Kirk's hatred.</p><h2>Kirk's legacy of conservative political influence</h2><p><a href="https://apnews.com/article/turning-point-charlie-kirk-erika-kirk-trump-ff9141ca3fd5b8f1a103e7eb03f7535b">Turning Point, the group Kirk founded</a>&nbsp;to mobilize young Christian conservatives, became a multimillion-dollar operation under his leadership with enormous reach.</p><p>The tens of thousands expected to fill the stadium in Glendale for Kirk’s memorial is a testament to the massive influence he accumulated in conservative America.</p><p>Kirk was a provocateur who at times made statements that some called racist, misogynistic, anti-immigrant and transphobic. That has drawn&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vance-kirk-host-show-husband-father-65cf1d42c2c2f4e85988402b5224da2a">backlash from conservatives</a>&nbsp;who view the criticism as cherry-picking a few select moments to insult the legacy they see of an inspirational conservative leader.</p><p>Kirk was a MAGA celebrity with a loyal following that turned out to support or argue with him as he traveled the country for the events like the one at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/utah-valley-university-charlie-kirk-fd5ca9b3b7338993970dd0a34dafb64b">Utah Valley University,</a>&nbsp;where he was fatally shot. Kirk grew the organization, in large part, through the force of his personality and debating chops.</p><p>Arizona is the adopted home state of Kirk, who grew up outside Chicago and founded Turning Point there before moving the organization to Phoenix. Vance, who has said Kirk's advocacy was a big reason Trump picked him to serve as vice president, transported Kirk’s casket from Utah to Arizona&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-jd-vance-turning-point-assassination-49501e2fdcb268c74c7dd929049abcd6">aboard Air Force Two</a>&nbsp;the day after his death, and he later served as a guest host of Kirk’s podcast.</p><p>Scheduled speakers at the service include Trump, Vance, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. Donald Trump Jr., right-wing commentator Tucker Carlson and White House aides Stephen Miller and Sergio Gor also are slated to speak.</p><p>Longtime worship leader Chris Tomlin will provide music, along with other big names in contemporary Christian music, including Brandon Lake, Phil Wickham, and husband-and-wife duo Kari Jobe Carnes and Cody Carnes.</p><p>Kirk’s widow, who has been named Turning Point’s new leader, also will speak. Erika Kirk pledged in an emotional speech days after his death that “the movement my husband built will not die.”</p><p>___</p>

🎥President Trump, others honor Charlie Kirk at memorial service

WASHINGTON (AP) — As&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-congress-democrats-d081cf80ff514310f307590ff1d75f04">House Speaker Mike Johnson</a>&nbsp;gathered lawmakers this week to mourn&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-tyler-robinson-court-death-penalty-f541df08a936e06497ee2342296bc398">Charlie Kirk</a>, he summed up the grief felt by many on Capitol Hill — and the pervasive fear.

“For so many of us, it has felt as if the ground was shaken,” said Johnson, R-La.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-shooting-utah-university-republicans-8357c3d102de09e3320fde761258131a">The killing of Kirk</a>, the prominent conservative activist and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-turning-point-trump-cf2a68e4303c5628299ffe383d09c1e9">Turning Point USA founder</a>, has unnerved lawmakers in both parties, amplifying their long-standing concerns about safety in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/obama-charlie-kirk-trump-political-violence-faa0b07e88e4236daaee78bca4f569e8">heated political climate</a>&nbsp;where threats against political rivals and calls to violence have become frighteningly common.

Responding to those concerns, Senate Majority Leader&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/john-thune">John Thune, R-S.D.,</a>&nbsp;on Thursday night engineered unanimous passage of a measure that will allow senators to use money designated for their offices and staff for security purposes. Members of the House are pushing for increased security funding as well.

It's all part of significant shift for lawmakers who increasingly feel that their engagement in public life requires the same kinds of security precautions long reserved for the president and members of the Cabinet.

“If you go back several years ago, people were like, ‘Yeah, I understand there’s a risk.' But now it’s different. Our families are coming to us and saying, ‘OK, what are we gonna do?’ Our staff are coming to us and saying, ‘What are we gonna do?’” said Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla.

Unlike the president and other top executive branch officials, rank-and-file lawmakers are often unaccompanied by security agents when they are off Capitol Hill, which is guarded by the U.S. Capitol Police. Some members of Congress pay for private security out of private or campaign funds.

“Members of Congress receive much less security than many of the local officials back at home or judges,” said Rep. Greg Casar, D-Texas. “Oftentimes, we have been the least secure.”

He said that "political violence is meant to silence us. And we can’t be silenced for the sake of democracy. And so, providing some level of safety and security for our members, I think, is key.”

The number of threat assessment cases handled by the Capitol Police has grown steadily over the past four years. The department says it tracked more than 9,000 cases of reported threats in 2024 and is on track to handle roughly 14,000 by the end of this year.

“This is a national security issue. This is a big deal and we’re taking it very seriously,” said Florida Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, who was in a group of GOP lawmakers who met with Johnson multiple times this week to push for more security money in a package to fund the federal government.

Luna said many of the lawmakers have faced security threats — to themselves or their loved ones — that are the subject of law enforcement investigations. Lawmakers say they now routinely face death threats, “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/swatting-plot-thomasz-szabo-60de50b8bf1dd35b3ea403072a58f1cd">swatting” calls</a>, bomb scares and vandalism at their offices.

“We’ve been needing this," Luna said. "The fact that it took for this to happen to even address this is crazy to me, but it needs to be dealt with."

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-trump-funding-bill-republicans-shutdown-1fea0f79c85ec69b91d9789fbda00834">The government funding bill</a>&nbsp;passed by the Republican-controlled House on Friday would add about $88 million in security money for lawmakers and members of the Supreme Court and executive branch.

A temporary program that offers a monthly stipend for House members doubled its funding to $10,000 per member from $5,000. The House Administration Committee launched the program in July after the assassination of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-lawmakers-shot-197b8073b66449297986f8276e6dcfc9">Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman</a>&nbsp;and her husband.

Through the program, House lawmakers are also allowed to spend up to $20,000 on in-home security equipment.

The cash infusion does not affect the president, who is protected by a separate budget for the Secret Service, or the Capitol Police, which guards the Capitol complex — the Capitol, Supreme Court, the Library of Congress and scores of offices staffed by government and political officials.

“Federal judges have marshals. Obviously, the executive has federal law enforcement. Members of Congress are unprotected,” said Rep. Maxwell Frost, D-Fla. “We’re in a heightened time of political violence,” Frost said, adding that he thought it was “ridiculous” that lawmakers had to use their personal or campaign funds to protect themselves.

<figure>
                        <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/9/1758378359228.png" alt="Kansas 4th District Congressman Ron Estes during a town hall rally in March-photo courtesy CSPAN" />
                        <figcaption>Kansas 4th District Congressman Ron Estes during a town hall rally in March-photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
                    </figure><p>WASHINGTON (AP) — As&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-congress-democrats-d081cf80ff514310f307590ff1d75f04">House Speaker Mike Johnson</a>&nbsp;gathered lawmakers this week to mourn&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-tyler-robinson-court-death-penalty-f541df08a936e06497ee2342296bc398">Charlie Kirk</a>, he summed up the grief felt by many on Capitol Hill — and the pervasive fear.</p><p>“For so many of us, it has felt as if the ground was shaken,” said Johnson, R-La.</p><p><a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-shooting-utah-university-republicans-8357c3d102de09e3320fde761258131a">The killing of Kirk</a>, the prominent conservative activist and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-turning-point-trump-cf2a68e4303c5628299ffe383d09c1e9">Turning Point USA founder</a>, has unnerved lawmakers in both parties, amplifying their long-standing concerns about safety in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/obama-charlie-kirk-trump-political-violence-faa0b07e88e4236daaee78bca4f569e8">heated political climate</a>&nbsp;where threats against political rivals and calls to violence have become frighteningly common.</p><p>Responding to those concerns, Senate Majority Leader&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/john-thune">John Thune, R-S.D.,</a>&nbsp;on Thursday night engineered unanimous passage of a measure that will allow senators to use money designated for their offices and staff for security purposes. Members of the House are pushing for increased security funding as well.</p><p>It's all part of significant shift for lawmakers who increasingly feel that their engagement in public life requires the same kinds of security precautions long reserved for the president and members of the Cabinet.</p><p>“If you go back several years ago, people were like, ‘Yeah, I understand there’s a risk.' But now it’s different. Our families are coming to us and saying, ‘OK, what are we gonna do?’ Our staff are coming to us and saying, ‘What are we gonna do?’” said Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla.</p><h2>What security do lawmakers have?</h2><p>Unlike the president and other top executive branch officials, rank-and-file lawmakers are often unaccompanied by security agents when they are off Capitol Hill, which is guarded by the U.S. Capitol Police. Some members of Congress pay for private security out of private or campaign funds.</p><p>“Members of Congress receive much less security than many of the local officials back at home or judges,” said Rep. Greg Casar, D-Texas. “Oftentimes, we have been the least secure.”</p><p>He said that "political violence is meant to silence us. And we can’t be silenced for the sake of democracy. And so, providing some level of safety and security for our members, I think, is key.”</p><p>The number of threat assessment cases handled by the Capitol Police has grown steadily over the past four years. The department says it tracked more than 9,000 cases of reported threats in 2024 and is on track to handle roughly 14,000 by the end of this year.</p><h2>A push to increase security funding</h2><p>“This is a national security issue. This is a big deal and we’re taking it very seriously,” said Florida Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, who was in a group of GOP lawmakers who met with Johnson multiple times this week to push for more security money in a package to fund the federal government.</p><p>Luna said many of the lawmakers have faced security threats — to themselves or their loved ones — that are the subject of law enforcement investigations. Lawmakers say they now routinely face death threats, “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/swatting-plot-thomasz-szabo-60de50b8bf1dd35b3ea403072a58f1cd">swatting” calls</a>, bomb scares and vandalism at their offices.</p><p>“We’ve been needing this," Luna said. "The fact that it took for this to happen to even address this is crazy to me, but it needs to be dealt with."</p><p><a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-trump-funding-bill-republicans-shutdown-1fea0f79c85ec69b91d9789fbda00834">The government funding bill</a>&nbsp;passed by the Republican-controlled House on Friday would add about $88 million in security money for lawmakers and members of the Supreme Court and executive branch.</p><p>A temporary program that offers a monthly stipend for House members doubled its funding to $10,000 per member from $5,000. The House Administration Committee launched the program in July after the assassination of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-lawmakers-shot-197b8073b66449297986f8276e6dcfc9">Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman</a>&nbsp;and her husband.</p><p>Through the program, House lawmakers are also allowed to spend up to $20,000 on in-home security equipment.</p><p>The cash infusion does not affect the president, who is protected by a separate budget for the Secret Service, or the Capitol Police, which guards the Capitol complex — the Capitol, Supreme Court, the Library of Congress and scores of offices staffed by government and political officials.</p><p>“Federal judges have marshals. Obviously, the executive has federal law enforcement. Members of Congress are unprotected,” said Rep. Maxwell Frost, D-Fla. “We’re in a heightened time of political violence,” Frost said, adding that he thought it was “ridiculous” that lawmakers had to use their personal or campaign funds to protect themselves.</p><p>Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., criticized the GOP leaders for not providing more security money. He questioned whether they appreciate the situation facing elected officials today.</p><p>“I just think it’s tough for leadership to understand they’re in their little protective bubble with security details and (Chevrolet) Suburbans. They don’t have to stand in line, they’re not in crowds, and then we’re out basically on our own with our families, and that’s a very scary proposition right now,” Burchett said.</p><p>Rep. Derrick Van Orden, R-Wis., said the FBI was investigating multiple death threats against his family and he argued that such cases should be prosecuted as terrorism. "We have security, but we need enhanced security,” he said.</p><p>Utah Rep. Blake Moore, vice chair of the House Republican Conference, cited “large bicameral, bipartisan agreement that there needs to be more done.” He added: "It’s just finding that sweet spot to be fiscally responsible, but also make sure that we’re in a good spot.”</p><h2>Working with local law enforcement</h2><p>Moore noted that local law enforcement had been especially responsive in stepping up to protect lawmakers in their districts and he commended that support.</p><p>Lawmakers said they often coordinate with law enforcement agencies in their districts so that there are officers at local events, but as they travel between their home districts and Washington, they often feel vulnerable.</p><p>Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., is calling for a “comprehensive” security plan for all House members, including security personnel who would travel with the lawmakers.</p><p>She said that in the past she had hesitated to increase security because it puts a barrier between her and constituents. But the recent high-profile killings of political figures, as well as the shooting of her friend, then-Rep.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-supreme-court-politics-entertainment-shootings-arizona-3b290d8596a2fa3211b62866771690a6">Gabby Giffords</a>, D-Ariz., in 2011, has convinced her that the protection is necessary.</p><p>“It’s really to me become a necessity to protect our constituents, to protect us, to protect our staff, our family members," Wasserman Schultz said. "The risk is too great.”</p><p>___</p>