Defense Team For Charlie Kirk's Alleged Assassin Moves to Have Prosecutors Removed From Case

Summary

Fox News Hourly Update – January 16, 2026

Episode Theme:
This episode delivers a fast-paced roundup of top national and international news stories, focusing on legal developments in the Charlie Kirk assassination case, national protests, evolving US foreign policy, breakthroughs in the weight loss drug industry, and significant sports contracts.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Motion to Remove Prosecutors in Charlie Kirk Shooting Case

• Main Story:
  Tyler Robinson, the accused in the shooting death of prominent conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University, appeared for a hearing where his defense team sought to have the entire prosecution team removed due to a potential conflict of interest.

• Details:

  • Robinson’s attorney, Richard Novak, argued that the prosecutors’ objectivity may be compromised because a child of one of the prosecutors was a direct witness to the event.

    “A college age child of one of the prosecutors was at the event and witnessed the shooting. So the whole team should be taken off the case because [of] a conflict of interest…”
    — Lisa Licera (00:06)

  • The defense believes this connection compromises the integrity of the legal proceedings, especially as prosecutors have stated their intent to seek the death penalty.
  • The prosecution has petitioned Judge Tony Graf to deny the request.
  • Greg Palkot emphasized the necessity for impartiality:

    “The court needs to hear from a representative of the state who does not even appear to have a conflict of interest.”
    — Greg Palkot (00:29)

  • Key Fact: Robinson has pleaded not guilty to the September 10th shooting.

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2. National Protests and Federal Response

• Minneapolis Protests:

  • Demonstrations continue following the fatal shooting of a woman by an ICE officer.
  • President Trump was questioned about invoking the Insurrection Act in response.

• Presidential Authority:

  • President Trump stated:

    “I don't think there's any reason right now to use it, but if I needed it, I'd use it. It's very powerful.”
    — President Trump, via Greg Palkot (00:59)

  • Lisa Licera noted,

    “The Insurrection act gives the president the authority to deploy military assets to suppress civil disorder.”
    — Lisa Licera (01:06)

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3. International Updates: Iran Crisis

• Casualty Reports Escalate:

  • The death toll from Iranian government crackdowns on protests rose to nearly 3,100.
  • The country’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, called for harsher measures and directly challenged the US.

    “Ayatollah spoke at Friday prayers in Tehran today, demanding once again the death penalty for those who [protested]… calling the protesters Trump’s soldiers.”
    — Greg Palkot (01:21)

• US Position:

  • President Trump reportedly softened his stance toward Iran compared to the previous day, despite Ambassador Mike Waltz reiterating that “all options were on the table.”

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4. Notable Global & Political Developments

• Venezuela: Machado's Nobel and Prospects
  • Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado spoke following her award of the Nobel Peace Prize, expressing hope for a return to democratic elections.

    “She's confident there will be an orderly return to free elections in Venezuela.”
    — Maria Corina Machado (02:39)

  • Machado remains banned from running for president, while US-backed acting President Delsey Rodriguez opposes Maduro’s regime.

    “She’s a communist. She’s the main ally and representation of the Russian regime, the Chinese and Iranians. But that’s not the Venezuelan people and that’s not the armed forces.”
    — Unnamed Trump administration official (03:04)

  • President Trump is reported as doubting Machado’s current popular support.

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5. Health & Business: Launch of Wegovy Weight Loss Pill

• Demand Surges:
  • Nearly 3,100 retail prescriptions for the new Novo Nordisk Wegovy pill in the first four days of sales were reported.

    “Research firm IQVIA says there were 3,071 retail prescriptions filled for the Novo Nordisk Wegovy pill in the first four days after it launched…”
    — Jenny Casola (03:27)

  • Actual demand may be higher, given data exclusions.
  • Analysts forecast the pill could bring in up to $1 billion in sales this year.
  • Novo Nordisk is looking to solidify its market lead over Eli Lilly, whose similar weight loss pill is under FDA review until April.

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6. Sports Update: Major MLB Contract

• Bo Bashette Joins Mets:
  • The New York Mets and two-time All-Star Bo Bashette agreed to a $126 million, three-year deal.
  • Bashette departs from the Toronto Blue Jays and will play third base, with options to opt out after each of the first two seasons.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “A college age child of one of the prosecutors was at the event and witnessed the shooting…”
  — Lisa Licera (00:06)

• “The court needs to hear from a representative of the state who does not even appear to have a conflict of interest.”
  — Greg Palkot (00:29)

• “I don't think there's any reason right now to use [the Insurrection Act], but if I needed it, I'd use it. It's very powerful.”
  — President Trump (00:59, via Greg Palkot)

• “Ayatollah… demanding once again the death penalty for those who [protested]… calling the protesters Trump’s soldiers.”
  — Greg Palkot (01:21)

• “She’s confident there will be an orderly return to free elections in Venezuela.”
  — Maria Corina Machado (02:39)

• “She’s a communist… But that’s not the Venezuelan people and that’s not the armed forces.”
  — Unnamed Trump administration official (03:04)

• “There were 3,071 retail prescriptions filled for the Novo Nordisk Wegovy pill in the first four days after it launched…”
  — Jenny Casola (03:27)

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Timestamps of Important Segments

• Charlie Kirk Case – Conflict of Interest Motion: 00:02–00:38
• Minneapolis Protests & Insurrection Act: 00:38–01:06
• Iran Protests & US Response: 01:06–01:36
• Venezuela Election Prospects: 02:31–03:17
• Launch of Wegovy Weight Loss Pill: 03:22–04:04
• Bo Bashette Mets Contract: 04:04–04:29

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This episode encapsulated critical legal dramas, major domestic protests, international power struggles, pharmaceutical breakthroughs, and high-profile sports deals, offering listeners a rapid, detailed update on key U.S. and global stories.

Transcript

[Lisa Licera]

They want the prosecutors off the case. I'm Lisa Licera, FOX News. A hearing in Utah for Tyler Robinson, the man accused of shooting Charlie Kirk to death last year. Robinson's defense attorney, Richard Novak argues a college age child of one of the prosecutors was at the event and witnessed the shooting. So the whole team should be taken off the case because as a conflict of interest after prosecutors said they planned to seek the death penalty, the court.

[Greg Palkot]

Needs to hear from a representative of the state who does not even appear to have a conflict of interest.

[Lisa Licera]

Robinson has pled not guilty to the Sept. 10 shooting of Kirk on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem. The prosecution has asked Judge Tony Graf to deny the request. As protests continue in Minneapolis following the deadly shooting of a woman by an ICE officer last week, President Trump was asked about invoking the Insurrection act, which he had mentioned yesterday in a social media post.

[Greg Palkot]

I don't think there's any reason right now to use it, but if I needed it, I'd use it. It's very powerful.

[Lisa Licera]

The Insurrection act gives the president the authority to deploy military assets to suppress civil disorder. The number of dead from the crackdown on Iran protests has grown to nearly 3,100, according to Human rights activists, as the country's supreme leader calls for more bloodshed.

[Greg Palkot]

Ayatollah spoke at Friday prayers in Tehran today to demanding once again the death penalty for those who rested during the week's long riot, saying armed hypocrites should be put to death. Also directly challenging President Trump, calling the protesters Trump's soldiers.

[Lisa Licera]

Fox's Greg Palkot. Today, the president appeared to back away from his threat of action against Iran. Yesterday, UN Ambassador Mike Waltz had reiterated the president's stance that all options were on the table. Wall street stocks edged lower as the first week of corporate earnings season closes. The Dow lost 83. The NASDAQ minus 14. America is listening to Fox.

[Megan Alexander]

Hi, I'm Megan Alexander and this is Middle East Tomorrow. Five years ago, the US Brought leaders from Israel, Morocco, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain together to sign the Abraham Accords. That historic day ignited a cross border movement of change makers who are joining forces to reshape the region. Join me as I uncover the stories of the people transforming the Middle east to today and tomorrow. Go to partners.foxnews.com met.

[Lisa Licera]

A day after giving President Trump her Nobel Peace Prize medal. Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado speaks about her country's future.

[Maria Corina Machado]

Maria Karina Machado tells reporters in D.C. she's confident there will be an orderly return to free elections in Venezuela.

[Unnamed Trump Administration Official]

President Trump, his administration and the people of the United States so support democracy, justice, freedom and the mandate of the people of Venezuela.

[Maria Corina Machado]

She was banned from running for president against Nicolas Maduro now that he's in U.S. custody. President Trump has backed acting President Delsey Rodriguez, Maduro's vice president.

[Unnamed Trump Administration Official]

She's a communist. She's the main ally and representation of the Russian regime, the Chinese and Iranians. But that's not the Venezuelan people and that's not the armed forces.

[Maria Corina Machado]

President Trump has said Machado does not have enough support to lead Venezuela right now. Chris Foster, FOX News.

[Lisa Licera]

Thousands of people filled prescriptions for a new weight loss pill when it became available this month.

[Jenny Casola]

Research firm IQVIA says there were 3,071 retail prescriptions filled for the Novo Nordisk Wegovy pill in the first four days after it launched on January 5, which is considered an encouraging start. Demand is likely even stronger because iqvia did not include prescriptions filled through online pharmacies and through NovoCare, Novo Nordisk's own service. Analysts at Berenberg say the Wegovy pill could see sales of a billion dollars this year, though they say Novo Nordisk needs to maximize its head start in the weight loss pill market over Eli Lilly.

[Lisa Licera]

Fox's Jenny Casola. The FDA expected to make a decision on Lilly's pill by April. Bo Bashette and the New York Mets have agreed to a $126 million, three year contract. The two time All Star shortstop with with the Toronto Blue Jays will move to third base with the Mets. He can opt out of the deal after the first or second season. I'm Lisa La Samara. This is FOX News.

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