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The President's Daily Brief
September 16th, 2025: Assassin's Potential Ties To Radical Groups Eyed in Kirk Case & NATO Launches Eastern Sentry
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Plus, during her visit to Israel, Secretary of State Marco Rubio says a diplomatic end to the Gaza war may not be possible. And in today's back of the brief, Washington announces a framework deal on TikTok. Oh, tick tock. After talks with China, though what that means remains unclear. So for now, I'll just continue practicing my TikTok dance moves. But first, today's PDB Spotlight. Authorities in Utah today are expected to officially file capital murder charges against 22 year old Tyler Robinson. It's the man accused, of course, of assassinating conservative activist Charlie Kirk. It's the next major step in what's likely to be one of the most closely watched criminal cases in modern times. Once the charges are filed, the process moves into the courts. Robinson's first appearance before a judge will come at his arraignment, where he'll be asked to enter a plea. After that, prosecutors will begin laying out their case as the court sets a schedule for preliminary hearings. It's a process that could stretch on for months, if not longer. And it's worth pausing on what those charges actually mean. In Utah, a capital murder charge is obviously no small matter. It opens the door to the harshest penalties that the US justice system has. Either life in prison without parole or depending on how Prosecutors pursue it. The death penalty. That's why, even with what seems to be a mountain of evidence, the system demands that the case be built carefully and methodically. So how are investigators working to build their case? Let's start with the forensic evidence. Authorities say they have DNA evidence tying Robinson directly to the crime scene. Samples from a towel wrapped around the firearm used in the shooting came back positive for his profile. Same with DNA lifted from a screwdriver found on the roof nearby. Those connections matter because they can place Robinson at the scene with the weapon in question. But it will still take lab analysis, expert testimony, and airtight handling of the evidence chain to stand up in court. And then there's the motive. Still one of the most important pieces of the puzzle. Based on what we know, Robertson appears to have been driven by politics. But again, it's not what you know, it's what you can prove. Prosecutors can't simply speculate. Obviously, they need evidence that ties his political views directly to the decision to carry out the shoot. That's where some key details from the FBI come in. Director Cash Patel told Fox News that Robinson had written a note before the attack, essentially stating that he had an opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and that he was going to do it. Patel says investigators recovered the contents of the note even after it had been destroyed, but the bureau has held back from releasing the full text, likely saving it for court proceedings. So what about Robinson himself? No, he's not cooperating with the authorities. Utah's governor says the suspect has not confessed and is refusing to cooperate with law enforcement. That doesn't necessarily make or break the case, but it means investigators will need to rely more heavily on forensic evidence and testimony from others. The good news for prosecutors is that people around Robinson have been cooperating. And here's where things get more unusual. As we reported yesterday, Robinson was following the manhunt in real time, along with a group of about 20 others on what's known as a Discord server. He even joked with them about the investigation, calling the suspect his, quote, doppelganger, after some in the group said the killer resembled him. Officials now say that the other members of the chat room didn't believe Robinson was actually responsible. Beyond Discord chat logs, investigators are also combing through the rest of Robinson's digital footprint. Computers, phones, encrypted apps. Those kind of searches could take weeks or months, since they require court approved warrants and specialized forensic tools to recover and access potentially encrypted data. What they find could shed more light on Robinson's planning his contacts and his possible affiliations. And that leads to another angle gaining traction, possible ties to radical groups. A source familiar with the investigation told Fox News that the FBI is looking into a number of leftist groups in Utah. The question is whether any of those groups had knowledge of Robinson's plans or whether they provided him with any kind of assistance or encouragement. The source didn't elaborate on which groups are under review. But the very fact that the inquiry has widened tells us something about the direction that the investigators are headed in. And it dovetails with comments from President Trump over the weekend. When asked which groups might be investigated, he told NBC News, quote, a lot of the people that you would traditionally say are on the left, they're already under investigation. Now, that's a strong signal. But the White House is preparing, perhaps for a wider dragnet. There are comments from the Department of Justice that suggest the administration could be preparing to look for money trails, trying to connect funding sources to street agitators or to far left groups that may be implicated in political violence. If that's the direction that this case moves, the investigation into Kirk's killing could quickly grow into something far bigger than just one man standing trial. For now, though, today's step is the filing of charges. That's where the story begins to shift from police investigation to courtroom battle. All right, coming up next, NATO launches Operation Eastern Sentry with troops deployed to Poland to counter Russian drones. And US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warns during a stop in Israel that diplomacy may not end the war in Gaza. I'll be right back. Hey, Mike Baker here with a tip for staying fresh because I am a bit of a hygiene expert, you've got to check out Mando. That's right. We're talking about Mando deodorant. From your pits to everywhere else. One swipe of Mando and you're good to go. Look, this isn't your typical deodorant. It's clinical strength. Two times better at controlling sweat and odor for 72 hours. Think about that. 100 of study participants experience all day odor protection. 100. Seriously, this stuff does the job. Mando uses only premium ingredients like a gentle mandelic acid. No more worrying about sweat stains. For sure. Seriously, nobody wants sweat stains. Mando Starter Pack is perfect for new customers. It comes with a solid stick deodorant cream tube deodorant. Two free products of your choice like mini body wash and deodorant. Deodorant wipes and free shipping. 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As we've previously discussed, the mission was triggered after nearly 20 Russian drones crossed into Polish skies last week in one of the most serious breaches of NATO airspace since the Putin invasion of Ukraine began. The swarm forced Warsaw to scramble fighter jets, prompted NATO's Article 4 consultations and set in motion an allied presence on Europe's eastern flank. So what does Eastern Century actually involve? Well, it marks NATO's shift from piecemeal reactions to a standing operation built around forward deployed troops, an expanded roster of allied aircraft on tap, and cutting edge counter drone systems. On 12 September, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced the mission is permanent. Similar to January's Baltic sentry patrols, the rotational shield thrown up earlier this year to blunt Russia's escalation into the Baltic Sea. So far, Denmark has pledged two F16s in a frigate, France, three fighter jets comparable to US FA18 Super Hornets, and Germany, four Euro fighters similar to US F15s. NATO supreme headquarters Allied Powers Europe, which of course has an acronym and that would be shape, says the mission will double as a test bed for experimental drone sensors and kill systems designed to detect, track and neutralize threats in real time. Warsaw's president underscored the point on Sunday by signing a classified decree authorizing allied troops to remain on Polish soil. And it didn't take long for Eastern sentry to be tested. Romania confirmed a fresh violation late Sunday when a Russian drone crossed into its skies during a strike on nearby Ukrainian targets. Two Romanian F16s were scrambled, shadowing the UAV until it veered back across the Ukrainian border. Elsewhere, Latvia and Lithuania have reported similar Russian drone incursions. Analysts at the Washington based think tank, the Institute for the Study of War say Russia is likely attempting to gauge NATO's capabilities and reactions, warning that the Kremlin is probed, probing for the alliance's weaknesses. That Russian encroachment has reignited debate inside NATO over the possibility of a no fly zone. Poland's foreign minister argued allies should, quote, consider shooting down Russian drones over Ukraine before they reach ally skies. But Washington and London remain firmly opposed, warning such a step risks a direct clash with Russian aircraft, especially as a US Brokered ceasefire between Moscow and Kiev remains elusive and and by elusive I mean non existent. The Kremlin, true to form, has responded to Warsaw's idea of a no fly zone suggestion with fresh threats. Of course. Dmitry Medvedev, the former Russian president now serving as the deputy chairman of the country's Security Council and the Kremlin's chief saber rattler, clutched his pearls and dramatically announced that shooting down Russian drones over Ukraine would, quote, mean only one thing, a war between NATO and Russia. Kremlin mouthpiece Dmitry Peskov went further, declaring, quote, NATO is already at war with Russia, citing Western military aid to Kiev. And nobody apparently has told Peskov that Russia started this conflict when they decided to invade Ukraine three years ago. History is hard. Polish analysts dismissed the threats as part of a coordinated disinformation campaign that kicked up after last week's drone swarm. Poland's national research institute. Now does it have an acronym, you ask? Does a Russian bear crap in the Ukrainian woods? Of course it does. It's known as nasc, nask. Anyway, the institute said Russian and Belarusian media outlets flooded the infosphere with contradictory narratives, some denying the drone incursion happened, others blaming Ukraine, and some flat out stating that Poland declared war on Moscow. The point, Nask warned, is to, quote, escalate emotions, polarize public opinion and undermine trust in NATO. For the alliance, the message is simple. Operation Eastern Sentry is proof that the alliance won't let its borders be tested without consequences. Okay. Shifting gears, Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned from Jerusalem Monday that diplomacy may never compel Hamas to surrender, casting doubt on President Trump's insistence that a ceasefire is within reach. Standing alongside Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu on Monday after a two day visit that consisted of closed door talks, Rubio struck a harder line than the president, making clear that the US still seeks a negotiated accord but has little faith, faith that the Iran backed group would ever accept one. He declared, quote, we are not counting on that happening. Blasting Hamas is, quote, a terrorist group, a barbaric group whose stated mission is the destruction of the Jewish state, end quote. Netanyahu echoed that sentiment, declaring Israel, quote, must make sure Hamas is eliminated, though he added, surrender would be preferable if it could be achieved. Both men, however, deflected questions from the press on Jerusalem's looming ground offensive into Gaza City. Even as Israeli warplanes over the weekend flattened 4 high rises in the city believed to house Hamas command centers. For now, Israel estimates some 20 hostages remain alive. Rubio, pressed on whether Trump endorsed the blitz into Gaza City, declined to say outright, but as we've covered here on the pdb, Trump has made clear that the war, quote, must be finished. The joint appearance came against the backdrop of tension between Washington and Jerusalem following Israel's strike last week on the US Ally of Qatar aimed at Hamas leaders. As we've been tracking, the Iran backed group claims its senior figures survived the attack, while Netanyahu said reports are still being assessed. Rubio heads to Doha today, a visit shadowed by the Israeli strike, spotlighting Qatar's double role as both a host to Hamas leadership and a ceasefire mediator, not to mention host of America's largest air base in the region. Later on Monday, Netanyahu accused China and Qatar of bankrolling what he called a political blockade, a coordinated propaganda case campaign through Western media and social media platforms meant to erode US And European support for Israel. He contrasted it with Iran's, quote, military blockade, saying Tehran has tried to encircle Israel with rockets and terror proxies, including Hamas and Hezbollah and the Houthis, while Beijing and Doha are attempting to do the same. With information warfare. Speaking before 250American state legislators, Netanyahu alleged Qatar and China were funneling, quote, enormous sums of money into the propaganda effort. He told the American lawmakers, quote, they're organizing an attack on Israel, warning that the campaign's impact is being felt most currently in Western Europe. When he asked rhetorically in a speech whether Israel had really been cut off, Netanyahu's answer was a firm no, pointing to strong US Backing his solution. Well, Netanyahu told the delegation, it comes down to self reliance, stating Israel will need to strengthen our independent arms industries. Just as we succeeded with the military blockade, we will also succeed with the political blockade. Still, he underscored the partnership with Washington despite the strikes on Doha, making it clear that, quote, the American Israeli alliance has never been as strong as it is now. End quote. Okay, coming up next in today's Back of the Brief, the US Says Tick Tock's future has been decided. Oh yay. At least on paper. But the details, well, they haven't been revealed yet. We'll have more on that when we come back. Hey, Mike Baker here. Let me take just a moment to talk about protecting your hard earned assets. Now, when you hear about inflation worries or when you see that the US national debt is some $37 trillion, or when you just look around and see all the global uncertainty, do you ever think to yourself maybe now would be a good time to buy some gold? Well, that would be a logical thought you see, whether as a hedge against inflation or peace of mind during global instability or just for sensible diversific, gold has always been thought of as a safe haven. And the Birch Gold Group believes that every American should own physical gold. So Birch Gold has created something special. Until September 30th if you're a first time gold buyer, Birch Gold is offering a rebate of up to $10,000 in free metals on qualifying purchases. To claim eligibility and start the process, just request an information kit now. Text PDB to 989 +BIRCHGOLD can help you roll an existing IRA or 401k into an IRA in gold and you're still eligible for rebate and free metals of up to $10,000. Find out why Birch Gold has so many satisfied customers and make now the time to decide if gold is right for you. Take advantage of a Rebate up to $10,000 as a first time buyer when you act before September 30, text PDB to 989898, claim your eligibility and get your free information kit again. Text PDB to 989-898 hey, Mike Baker here. Let me take just a moment to talk personal finances. Now, you may have noticed the cost of everything is still a bit out of control, right? 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In today's Back of the Brief it looks like the years long drama between Washington and Beijing over the fate of Tick Tock may be reaching a conclusion. The Trump administration has announced that it's reached a framework deal with China to keep the app operational in the US Treasury Secretary Scott Besant confirmed the news in Madrid, saying that President Trump personally provided guidance that shaped the final agreement. The framework is expected to be finalized later this week when Trump speaks directly with Chinese President Xi Jinping. That conversation will also serve as a precursor to a broader Trump Xi summit that both sides have been angling for over the past several months. Officials say the agreement clears a major hurdle, but the fine print is still very much in flux. So who's actually going to buy TikTok's U.S. operations? Well, that part remains unclear. Several groups have made pitches in recent months, including a team led by former Dodgers owner Frank McCarthy Court and Shark Tank investor Kevin O', Leary, but their bid likely falls short of TikTok's multibillion dollar valuation. Instead, all eyes now appear to be on Oracle's Larry Ellison, who's expected to lead the US Backed acquisition effort. This deal has been a long time coming, of course, as we've covered here on the pdb. Congress passed a bipartisan law during the Biden administration that banned TikTok in the U.S. unless its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, divested its U.S. state. President Trump, upon returning to office, repeatedly extended the enforcement deadline, first in January and then again in June, pushing it all the way to this month. Critics have accused Trump of undermining congressional intent by continually moving the goalposts, but administration officials argue the extensions allowed space for a workable solution. At the heart of the fight is a national security concern that goes well beyond pet videos or viral dance trends. Although you know the Raccoon videos are a personal favorite of mine, Lawmakers and intelligence officials have Long warned that TikTok isn't just a platform. It's a massive data collection machine owned by a company susceptible to China's national security laws and the Chinese Communist Party. That means the CCP could, in theory, force ByteDance to hand over user data, manipulate algorithms, or even deploy TikTok as a tool of influence inside the U.S. after all, there's probably a reason why China doesn't allow TikTok inside China. And that, my friends, is the President's Daily brief for Tuesday 16th September. If you have any questions or comments, please reach out to me at pdb@the first tv.com and to listen to the show ad free, which you can do. And you can do that very simply. Just become a premium member of the President's Daily brief by visiting PDB premium.com as you've no doubt seen on billboards all across town. When you become a premium member of the PDP Premium, you also get access to our brand new special series, the Day the World Almost Ended. I'm Mike Baker and I'll be back later today with the PDB Afternoon Bulletin. Until then, stay informed, stay safe, stay cool.