President Trump on Thursday introduced he’ll posthumously award conservative activist Charlie Kirk with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, a day after Kirk was shot and killed whereas chatting with a big crowd at Utah Valley College.
The president made the announcement on the high of his remarks on the Pentagon the place he was commemorating the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist assaults. He mentioned the date of the medal ceremony might be introduced later.
“Before we begin, let me express the horror and grief so many Americans at the heinous assassination of Charlie Kirk,” Trump mentioned. “Charlie was a giant of his generation, a champion of liberty and an inspiration to millions and millions of people.”
Trump known as Kirk’s household “fantastic people.”
“We miss him greatly and yet I have no doubt that Charlie’s voice… will live on,” he mentioned.
Kirk, a number one voice within the MAGA motion, was shot within the neck at Utah Valley College whereas chatting with a big crowd throughout an occasion billed as “The American Comeback Tour.”
Vice President JD Vance traveled to Salt Lake Metropolis, Utah on Thursday to pay his respects to the household of Kirk.
Trump on Wednesday night time, in a video posted on-line, mentioned that he was “filled with grief and anger” on the deadly capturing of Kirk, calling Kirk a “martyr for truth and freedom.”
Kirk’s demise has stoked fears of extra political violence and as of Thursday morning, a manhunt continues to be underway for the murderer.
Authorities mentioned they recovered what’s believed to be the rifle used and mentioned they’ve good footage of the suspect however haven’t any plans to publish it presently. They imagine the suspect to be of faculty age.
