Gov. Spencer Cox, R-Utah, mentioned Sunday that the suspect within the taking pictures that killed conservative activist Charlie Kirk isn’t cooperating with authorities.
“He has not confessed to, to authorities. He’s, he’s, he’s not cooperating, however, however, however all of the folks round him are cooperating. And I believe that is, that is, that is essential,” Cox advised ABC Information’ “This Week” co-anchor Martha Raddatz.
Authorities recognized Kirk’s alleged shooter as 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, who now stays in custody. Expenses are anticipated to be formally filed on Tuesday, Cox mentioned.
Cox was additionally requested a few Sunday New York Occasions report that alleged Robinson had communicated with others on Discord after the taking pictures. The Occasions reported Robinson had made jokes about being the alleged gunman.
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox seems on ABC Information’ “This Week” on Sept. 14, 2025
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ABC Information has not independently confirmed the Discord messages.
“All we are able to affirm is that these conversations undoubtedly had been occurring, and they didn’t consider it was really him. It was, it was all joking till, till he, you recognize, till he admitted that it really was him,” he mentioned.
The Utah governor, who has been the general public face of the investigation, additionally addressed experiences Saturday that the suspect’s roommate is transitioning from male to feminine.
Cox beforehand advised the Wall Avenue Journal that Robinson was “deeply indoctrinated with leftist ideology.” Requested if investigators have uncovered proof to point out that, Cox replied, “Nicely, thus far that — that has come from his acquaintance and his relations. That is the place that preliminary data has come from. Definitely, there will likely be rather more data that’s launched within the charging paperwork as they’re bringing all of that collectively.”
Cox mentioned there will likely be “a lot, rather more data” revealed within the coming days when prices are filed. The governor urged People to decide on kindness in a time of excessive political rigidity.
“These are very tragic circumstances that impression all of us,” Cox mentioned.
Listed below are extra highlights from Cox’s interview and people with Gov. Jared Polis, D-Colo., and Sen. John Curtis, R-Utah:
On Trump not speaking about political violence in opposition to Democrats
Raddatz: President Trump mentioned nothing in regards to the political violence in opposition to Democrats. In actual fact, he blamed the novel left. What’s your response to that? Is that one thing you suppose he needs to be doing?
Cox: Nicely, look, President Trump could be very offended and, Charlie is his shut private pal. There’s loads of anger, loads of anger on the fitting, on my aspect of the aisle. And I’ve definitely felt that. And on this case, it does seem that that is true. Once more, extra, extra data is coming and we’ll be taught extra over time.
You already know, I do not know that that that issues as a lot because the the radicalization piece. I introduced up the, the Democrats who had been assassinated just lately. And the way rapidly we transfer on from these items. However, however the physique depend is, is piling up. And so I am so involved about this radicalization piece. And that is what we’re making an attempt to know. Once more, this particular person made a selection, and it was this particular person’s selection. And this particular person will likely be held accountable.
Cox on the best way to get out of the ‘darkish place’ the nation is in
Cox: Proper now, we’re in a darkish place. All people will get that, I believe, and we’ve selections and we in my political philosophy and my, and my spiritual philosophy, we consider in company, that each one of us will get to make our personal choices … Each certainly one of us has to decide. Are we going to hate our neighbor? Are we going to hate the opposite aspect? Are we going to return violence with violence? Or are we going to discover a completely different path? Are we going to get out of these social media, these darkish locations of the web the place the battle entrepreneurs reside, who’re praying upon us, these, these firms with trillion greenback market caps who’re utilizing dopamine similar to fentanyl, to addict us to their product and, and lead us once more — these algorithms — lead us to extra outrage. Can we put that apart? Can we go and serve our fellow human beings? Can we do some good in our neighborhood? Can we hug a member of the family? Can we discuss to a neighbor that we disagree with? That is, that is as much as us. And that is the one means out of this. There’s nothing else we are able to do to, to resolve this, this darkish chapter in our historical past.
Gov. Jared Polis, D-Colo., seems on ABC Information’ “This Week” on Sept. 14, 2025.
ABC Information
Polis on the nation’s political division
Raddatz: How did we get to those moments?
Polis: I believe, as Governor Cox mentioned, it actually is a crucial reflection level. Violence in political theater, in our colleges, on school campuses, is unacceptable. It is effective, and we must always even have fun, having completely different opinions on issues, proper? Charlie Kirk’s catchphrase, “show me flawed,” encouraging peaceable debate, dialogue.
However it’s flawed to resort to violence and killing. And I believe that is a message we have to reemphasize on this age when typically there’s to many conflicting messages on the market. We have to converse unequivocally, have fun our variations. They need to result in dialogue, not violence.
Sen. John Curtis, R-Utah, seems on ABC Information’ “This Week” on Sept. 14, 2025.
ABC Information
Curtis on the pervasiveness of political violence
Curtis: If it had been as much as me, I believe you’ll want to take the phrase “radical” and take away “proper” or “left,” and radical coming from any path isn’t good, it is not wholesome, and it needs to be known as out. And that is, that is my mission, is to say, look, this to me, that is this isn’t proper. This isn’t left. We’re speaking about radicals, and that is the place we have to put our consideration…
Raddatz: Senator, how do you suppose we received so far on this nation with a lot political violence?
Curtis: You already know, I used to be — you talked about I stay not removed from the college. I used to be mayor of Provo, Utah, proper subsequent to it. I do know you recognize the place that’s. That was only a decade in the past, and it wasn’t like this.
And I believe various issues have come alongside. I do not suppose COVID helped. I believe — we’ve to look actually arduous. I discussed social media earlier than. I believe we’ve to look actually arduous at what’s simply occupying practically 100% of mind weight of not simply the youth, however of all generations, and what’s coming throughout, and truly what we’re permitting to return throughout, and there is simply zero legal responsibility for what individuals are placing on the market. And I simply suppose that is if we’ll repair this, we’ve to look actually arduous at that.
