Watch LIVE: FBI Director Kash Patel testifies before House panel in aftermath of Charlie Kirk shooting after fiery Senate appearance
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Oliver O’Connell17 September 2025 15:11
CEOs of Discord, Stream, Twitch and Reddit called to testify to Congress
House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer is calling on the CEOs of Discord, Steam, Twitch, and Reddit to testify at a hearing on October 8.
The Kentucky Republican says the hearing will “examine the radicalization of online forum users, including instances of open incitement to commit politically motivated acts.”
Charlie Kirk’s alleged shooter, Tyler Robinson, is said to have been radicalized online.
Oliver O’Connell17 September 2025 17:27
ABC reporter under fire for highlighting the ‘touching’ text messages from Charlie Kirk’s suspected killer
The network’s chief national correspondent, Matt Gutman, has received a wave of backlash for on-air comments he made Tuesday immediately after a press conference, where Utah prosecutors revealed alleged texts Tyler Robinson, 22, sent his roommate following the shooting one week ago.
Rhian Lubin has the story.
Oliver O’Connell17 September 2025 17:00
Pope speaks out about political ‘polarization’ after Charlie Kirk shooting
Pope Leo XIV has told the new United States ambassador to the Holy See that he is praying for slain activist Charlie Kirk and his family.
“The pope confirmed that he is praying for Charlie Kirk,” spokesman Matteo Bruni said in comments reported by Vatican News.
Leo also “expressed concern about political violence and spoke of the need to refrain from rhetoric and exploitation that lead to polarization rather than dialogue,” Bruni said.
Oliver O’Connell17 September 2025 16:30
What is Bella Ciao? The anti-fascist song cited in the Charlie Kirk shooting
Following the assassination of conservative political activist Charlie Kirk, officials reported unspent bullet casings were found at the scene. These were engraved with phrases such as “If you read this, you are GAY Lmao”, “hey fascist! CATCH!” and “O Bella ciao, Bella ciao, Bella ciao, Ciao, ciao!”
Bella Ciao (literally, “hello beautiful” or “goodbye beautiful”) is a traditional Italian folk song known for its association with the anti-fascist resistance in Italy during the Second World War.
Justin Mallia explains its contemporary significance.
Oliver O’Connell17 September 2025 16:00
AG Bondi’s ‘free speech fiasco’ attacked by both left and right
CNN’s Harry Enten ran the numbers on how Americans are engaging with the concept of free speech in the wake of the murder of Charlie Kirk, and the resultant bad news for Attorney General Pam Bondi, already unpopular over her handling of the Epstein Files.
Here’s Enten with the latest polling:
And here’s John Bowden on how traditional defenders of free speech rounded on the First Amendment — to the horror of some conservatives:
Oliver O’Connell17 September 2025 15:44
Raskin slams Patel’s ‘disturbing’ performance
In today’s hearing, House Judiciary ranking member Jamie Raskin slammed FBI Director Kash Patel’s performance in the aftermath of the murder of Charlie Kirk as “so disturbing that even the MAGA base was alarmed.”
The Maryland Democrat said: “When Charlie Kirk was assassinated, while his killer was still on the loose, you decided you didn’t need to be at FBI quarters in Washington to work with your team while the chaotic manhunt unfolded. You spent your evening dining in a swanky Midtown Manhattan restaurant, and tweeting out false information that the subject of the shooting was in custody, a statement you had to retract one hour later. Your performance was so disturbing that even the MAGA base was alarmed.”
Oliver O’Connell17 September 2025 15:35
Trump and Vance to speak at Kirk memorial
President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance will give remarks this Sunday at the memorial service for the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk, according to Turning Point USA, which made the announcement on Tuesday.
Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, will also speak at the memorial, which will take place this Sunday at the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona
Trump and Vance, who had previously confirmed they would attend the memorial, will be joined by a number of other high-profile speakers announced for the event.
Other speakers from the Trump administration and wider MAGAworld include:
White House chief of staff Susie Wiles Secretary of State Marco Rubio Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller White House Office of Presidential Personnel Director Sergio Gor Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson Donald Trump Jr.
Oliver O’Connell17 September 2025 15:30
White House press secretary appears to connect earthquake to Charlie Kirk’s death and Biblical prophecy
Leavitt, who describes herself as a devout Christian, shared a post on Instagram that read: “On the night Charlie was shot, a 4.1 earthquake struck Utah. In scripture, 40 represents trials; 41 signifies a shift. It hit at 5:57 local time, 7:57 Eastern.”
“Acts 7:57 describes Stephen, the first martyr, stoned as the crowd silenced his truth. The Bible says the earth trembles when God is angry. That night, as a voice was silenced, the ground groaned.”
She reposted the screenshot of a Twitter post, adding: “Wow.”
Andrew Feinberg has the story.
Oliver O’Connell17 September 2025 15:00
Kash Patel to face House panel amid criticism of investigation into Charlie Kirk shooting
After yesterday’s contentious appearance before the Senate Judiciary Committee, DBI Director Kash Patel will shortly sit for questions before the House Judiciary Committee.
Republican Chairman Jim Jordan of Ohio has been complimentary of Patel’s work so far as director of the FBI, but he will nevertheless face questions from Democrats on the Charlie Kirk assassination investigation and the Jeffrey Epstein files.
Here’s Eric Garcia in Washington, D.C., with a report on how things went yesterday:
Oliver O’Connell17 September 2025 14:35