Morning Wire — September 16, 2025: FBI Expands Kirk Case & Hochul Endorses Mamdani

Hosts: Georgia Howe & John Bickley
Date: September 16, 2025
Main Theme: Today's episode covers three major news stories: the FBI's ongoing investigation into the assassination of Charlie Kirk, New York politics as Governor Hochul endorses Zoran Mamdani for Mayor, and the U.S. reaction to Brazil's sentencing of former President Jair Bolsonaro.

1. FBI Expands Investigation into Charlie Kirk Assassination

Overview

(00:04–06:05)

The episode opens with major developments in the investigation into conservative commentator Charlie Kirk's assassination. New evidence has tied the alleged shooter, Tyler Robinson, more firmly to the crime scene, and the FBI is now probing possible broader left-wing involvement.

Key Discussion Points

• New DNA Evidence & Lone Shooter Focus:

  • FBI confident that Tyler Robinson is the primary actor, citing DNA evidence on items left at the scene ([01:19], Cabot Phillips).
  • The investigation is expanding to explore whether Robinson coordinated with others or shared his intentions.

• Radical Group & Online Activity Under Scrutiny:

  • The far-left pro-trans group Armed Queers Salt Lake City is being investigated for possible ties, especially after their Instagram account vanished post-shooting ([01:19], Cabot Phillips).

  • Law enforcement also examining suspicious social media posts that hinted at the shooting before it occurred.

    “One leftist user on X wrote beforehand, ‘it would be funny if someone like Charlie Kirk got shot on September 10th.’” – Cabot Phillips (01:54)

• Shooter’s Plans & Ideology:

  • FBI discovered a destroyed note outlining Robinson's intentions and a text exchange forecasting the attack ([02:32], Amanda Presto Giacomo).
  • FBI Director Cash Patel confirmed Robinson subscribed more strongly to left-wing ideology in recent years ([05:18], Amanda Presto Giacomo).

• Conservative Reaction and Mourning:

  • Vice President J.D. Vance guest-hosts The Charlie Kirk Show, delivering a heartfelt tribute and committing to upholding Kirk’s legacy ([03:09], J.D. Vance).

    “All of these moments that I get to have, Charlie is not able to have them anymore. ... Maybe the best way that I could honor my dear friend is to be the best husband that I can be.” – J.D. Vance (03:09)

  • White House Deputy Chief Stephen Miller vows aggressive government action to dismantle domestic terror networks, framing the assassination as political violence from the left ([03:46], Stephen Miller).

    "We are going to use every resource...to identify, disrupt, dismantle, and destroy these networks and make America safe again." – Stephen Miller (03:46)

  • Vance condemns any attempts at unity with those who celebrate or excuse Kirk’s death:

    “There is no unity with the people who celebrate Charlie Kirk's assassination.” – J.D. Vance (04:11)

• Media Coverage and Public Perception:

  • The hosts criticize mainstream media for allegedly downplaying the leftist motives of the shooter, noting polling shows public confusion about his background ([04:47], Cabot Phillips).

  • Recent polling indicates “very liberal” Americans are much more likely to see political violence as justified compared to “very conservative” Americans ([05:28], Cabot Phillips).

    "For very liberal Americans...that number is 25%. So they're eight times more likely to say that political violence is justified.” – Cabot Phillips (05:28)

Notable Quotes

• “If there's a larger network here, we're going to get that out to the public as soon as we can.” — John Bickley (00:12)
• “He had a text message exchange...in which he claimed that he had an opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk.” — Amanda Presto Giacomo (02:32)
• “The muddying of the waters from the media in those early days...is clearly playing a role with average Americans.” – Cabot Phillips (05:28)

2. New York Politics: Mamdani’s Big Endorsement and Controversial Safety Plan

Overview

(07:10–11:16)

Radical left candidate Zoran Mamdani receives a major boost in his mayoral run as Governor Kathy Hochul announces her endorsement. Mamdani simultaneously unveils an updated plan to shift some police responsibilities to mental health and community teams.

Key Discussion Points

• Significance of Hochul’s Endorsement:

  • Hochul’s endorsement of open Democratic Socialist Mamdani could unify the Democratic establishment behind him ([07:33], Amanda Presto Giacomo).

  • Hochul needs urban voters to compensate for her unpopularity in the suburbs and upstate, especially with her 2026 re-election on the horizon.

    “She needs to be on good terms with the future mayor...She's really going to have to lean on the urban vote.” – Amanda Presto Giacomo (07:58)

  • Her NYT op-ed supports Mamdani for his affordability focus and opposition to Trump influences.

    “She said that she wants the next mayor to be someone who won't surrender one inch to President Trump ... they must not allow Trump to control New York City like the, quote, king he wants to be.” – Amanda Presto Giacomo (08:31)

• Trump's Reaction:

  • Trump labels Mamdani as a “little communist” and criticizes Hochul's support, hinting that future federal funding for New York is at risk ([09:03], Amanda Presto Giacomo).

    “He said that Hochul endorsed the, quote, little communist Zoran Mamdani.” – Amanda Presto Giacomo (09:03)

• Mamdani’s Public Safety Plan:

  • Proposes a citizen-led Department of Community Safety to handle nonviolent 911 calls, staffed with social workers, “violence interrupters,” and mental health teams ([10:02], Amanda Presto Giacomo).

  • The revised plan keeps current police staffing levels but makes an appeal to moderation; however, law enforcement experts remain critical, warning that nonviolent crises can escalate ([10:02], Amanda Presto Giacomo).

  • Mamdani previously called the NYPD “racist, anti-queer and a major threat to public safety.”

    “A mental health crisis might start out as nonviolent, but that could easily escalate if ill prepared people attempt to intervene.” – Amanda Presto Giacomo (11:10)

Notable Quotes

• “Well, this could get the Democrat Party establishment behind Mamdani. ... Now, there's a lot of speculation that we'll see other prominent Democrat leaders throw their support behind him too.” – Amanda Presto Giacomo (07:33)
• “It does look like Mamdani is probably going to win barring a major shakeup.” – Amanda Presto Giacomo (07:58)
• “Amanda, thanks for reporting.” – Georgia Howe (11:10)

3. Brazil’s Bolsonaro Sentenced, US Threatens Response

Overview

(12:26–16:58)

Brazil’s former President Jair Bolsonaro is sentenced to 27 years in prison for an alleged coup attempt. The U.S. administration, perceiving the process as politically motivated, has threatened “severe consequences.” Senior policy analyst Andres Martinez Fernandez provides expert analysis.

Key Discussion Points

• Background on Bolsonaro’s Conviction:

  • Accused of attempting a coup to overturn the 2022 election results, leveraging the military and public institutions ([13:03], Andres Martinez Fernandez).

  • The case is contentious; the court’s evidence is seen by critics as insubstantial, feeding controversy and claims of political targeting.

    "There's really a lot of doubt about the veracity of these accusations, a lot of questions about the evidence being insubstantial..." – Andres Martinez Fernandez (13:49)

• Amnesty Discussions:

  • Given the conviction’s severity and controversy, there is growing talk of amnesty in Brazil’s Congress ([13:49], Andres Martinez Fernandez).
  • Without amnesty, Bolsonaro cannot run for president again, removing the right's most prominent figure ([14:51], Andres Martinez Fernandez).

• U.S. Government Response:

  • Secretary of State Marco Rubio calls the process a “witch hunt” and promises that the U.S. will “respond accordingly” ([15:20], John Bickley).

  • U.S. skepticism centers on the perceived political motives of Brazil’s Supreme Court – which has a history of high-profile, politicized cases (including one with Elon Musk over Twitter).

    "There's a disconnect ... between the pursuit of justice and the political priorities that we see the Supreme Court in Brazil pursuing." – Andres Martinez Fernandez (15:37)

  • Economic sanctions seem likely as the administration considers how to pressure Brazil ([16:50], John Bickley).

Notable Quotes

• “Justice was not being followed here in this case or whether there was a political motivation around these upcoming elections.” – Andres Martinez Fernandez (15:10)
• “Meanwhile, it appears economic sanctions are in the works in the White House.” – John Bickley (16:50)

Summary Table of Key Segments

| Segment | Start | End | Highlights | |-----------------------------------------------|----------|----------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | FBI Expands Kirk Case | 00:04 | 06:05 | New DNA evidence; far-left group investigated; political/ideological media narratives; emotional tributes| | NY: Hochul Endorses Mamdani & Safety Plan | 07:10 | 11:16 | Democratic Socialist endorsed for NYC mayor; controversial mental health/public safety proposal | | Brazil: Bolsonaro Sentenced, US Responds | 12:26 | 16:58 | Bolsonaro gets 27 years; controversy over evidence; U.S. criticizes process and hints at sanctions |

Memorable Moments

• J.D. Vance’s emotional remembrance of Charlie Kirk (03:09)
• FBI’s new direction in Kirk case, including investigation of left-wing groups and social media (01:19–02:54)
• Trump’s caustic reaction to Hochul's endorsement of Mamdani (09:03)
• Details of Mamdani’s Department of Community Safety plan (10:02)
• US officials openly challenging the legitimacy of Brazil’s court ruling against Bolsonaro (15:20–16:50)

Tone:
Serious and urgent, with strong conservative perspectives, direct speaker attribution, and an emphasis on cultural and political conflict.
For Listeners:
This episode is rich with updates on flashpoint political events, highlighting ideological divides in both national and international contexts, and underscoring concerns over biased media representation and controversial legal cases.