Kirk Suspect Charged, Trump Visits The King, FBI Director Patel Testifies

Summary

NPR Up First – Episode Summary

Episode Title: Kirk Suspect Charged, Trump Visits The King, FBI Director Patel Testifies
Date: September 17, 2025
Hosts: Steve Inskeep, A Martinez

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Episode Overview

This Up First episode dives into three major stories shaping the day:

1. The charging of Tyler Robinson for the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, revealing alleged motives and community reactions.
2. President Donald Trump’s rare second state visit to the UK, combining royal spectacle with serious diplomatic discussions.
3. FBI Director Kash Patel’s contentious testimony before Congress, facing criticism over bureau operations and political violence.

The episode presents clear updates, analysis, and on-the-ground reactions, touching on public sentiment, international diplomacy, and domestic institutional integrity.

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1. Kirk Suspect Charged, Motives, and Community Reaction

(02:58–06:32)

Key Points:

• Tyler Robinson is charged with aggravated murder of Charlie Kirk and faces the death penalty. Also charged with obstruction for attempting to hide evidence and persuading his roommate to conceal information.
• Robinson appeared in court remotely, showing no emotion and dressed in a suicide prevention smock.
• Prosecutors revealed texts where Robinson appears to confess and describe his motives.

Notable Exchange (Transcripted Text Messages):

• Roommate: "You weren’t the one who did it, right?"
• Robinson: "I am. I'm sorry."
• Roommate: "Why?"
• Robinson: "I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can't be negotiated out." (04:30)

Prosecutors’ Perspective:

• Robinson had radicalized politically, becoming more left-wing and trans-rights oriented, coinciding with his relationship with a transgender roommate.
• Robinson’s parents encouraged him to surrender after he implied suicidal thoughts.

Community Reaction:

• Split emotions: some support the death penalty while expressing support for the family; others (even critics of Kirk) see the shooting as “karma,” highlighting divisive views.
• No evidence at this stage implicates the roommate in advance knowledge or involvement.

Quote – Local Sentiment:

• Journalist Tovia Smith relays:
  • “An eye for an eye, as one [neighbor] told me.” (05:52)
  • “She [a liberal resident] spoke about his death as almost some kind of karma. She was quick to acknowledge that may make some people think she’s a terrible person, but she said that’s how she feels.” (05:52)

Investigation:

• FBI is expanding its probe into online activities, specifically a Discord gaming chat linked to Robinson.

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2. Trump’s Second UK State Visit: Ceremony and Substance

(06:41–10:13)

Highlights:

• Trump is the only US president to have received a UK state visit twice.
• Day one is marked by British pageantry (carriage rides, banquets with King Charles).
• Trump's personal ties: His mother was Scottish, which deepens his affinity for the UK and the monarchy.

Quote – Trump’s Admiration for the Monarchy:

• "It was one of the most beautiful evenings I’ve ever seen. I hate to say it, but nobody does it like you people in terms of the pomp and ceremony." (07:56, Steve Inskeep quoting Trump)

Diplomatic Agenda:

• Policy discussions kick off Thursday at Chequers (PM’s country residence) with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer:
  • Focus on a "tech prosperity deal" involving AI, quantum computing, and nuclear power collaboration.
  • Nvidia (US company) will build AI infrastructure in the UK.

Foreign Policy:

• Starmer aims to push Trump for stronger Ukraine support.
• Trump signals it’s up to NATO allies to curb Russian oil, citing pressure points.

Public Sentiment in the UK:

• Trump remains unpopular, with protests already underway—one featuring a giant photo with the late Jeffrey Epstein.
• Weather may impact protest turnout, but tensions remain high.

Quote – On Protests:

• "Trump is not popular here, and his tariffs here have only made Brits angrier...protests have already begun..." (09:45, Danielle Kurtzleben)

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3. FBI Director Kash Patel Testifies on Capitol Hill

(10:21–13:46)

Overview:

• Patel faces grilling on the FBI’s handling of the Kirk case, dissemination of false info via social media, handling of the Epstein files, and politically motivated firings.
• Patel is defiant, expressing pride in his service and challenging critics.

Quote – Patel’s Defiance:

• “If you want to criticize my 16 years of service, please bring it on.” (10:26–11:04, paraphrased)

Congressional Criticism:

• Senate testimony turns heated, notably with Senator Cory Booker:
  • “You swear to release the Epstein files, but now you’re withholding the Epstein files. You claim that you have a suspect in a serious assassination. Whoops. Then you don’t have a suspect…You know nothing about plans to remove FBI agents, yet you’re directly involved in those plans.” (11:28, Cory Booker)
• Patel dismisses these as “rants” and “false information.”

Republican Response:

• Generally defend Patel, shifting focus to what they frame as left-wing political violence.

• Senator Eric Schmidt:

  • “We are lying if we think that this is a both sides thing.” (12:23, Eric Schmidt)

• No evidence found yet linking the suspect to broader political groups.

Allegations of Politically Motivated Firings:

• Ongoing lawsuit alleges wrongful firings for political reasons; Patel insists all terminations were evidence-based.

Quote – Patel’s Justification:

• “Any termination at the FBI was a decision that I made based on the evidence that I have as a director of the FBI. And it’s my job and I’m not going to shy away from it.” (13:07, Patel)

Epstein Case:

• Remains a sticking point; no new revelations, just continued calls for transparency.

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Notable Quotes

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|------------------------|-------| | 04:30 | Robinson (via text) | "I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can't be negotiated out." | | 07:56 | Donald Trump | "It was one of the most beautiful evenings I’ve ever seen. I hate to say it, but nobody does it like you people in terms of the pomp and ceremony." | | 11:28 | Cory Booker | “You claim that you have a suspect in a serious assassination. Whoops. Then you don’t have a suspect…” | | 12:23 | Eric Schmidt | “We are lying if we think that this is a both sides thing.” | | 13:07 | Kash Patel | “Any termination at the FBI was a decision that I made based on the evidence that I have as a director of the FBI." |

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Timestamps for Major Segments

• Tyler Robinson Charged in Charlie Kirk's Murder: 02:58–06:32
• Trump's UK State Visit: 06:41–10:13
• FBI Director Kash Patel Testifies to Congress: 10:21–13:46

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Episode Tone and Style

The hosts maintain a brisk, focused tone typical of “Up First," using direct language and balancing succinct summaries with pointed quotes and context. Guest correspondents offer both factual updates and nuanced local perspectives, ensuring listeners get both the headlines and the complexity behind them.

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For Further Information

For deeper insights, listeners are encouraged to tune into NPR's Morning Edition or follow updates at stations.npr.org.

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Transcript

[Steve Inskeep]

It's very exciting to be in the same studio with a Martinez instead of having you on the other coast. Glad to have you here.

[Amy Martinez]

This is always, this is too big of a space.

[Steve Inskeep]

It's too big of a space.

[Amy Martinez]

Too much light. I'd like to have more of a too many people.

[Steve Inskeep]

You want to have more of a cocoon in the dark?

[Amy Martinez]

A person. Less cocoon? Yes.

[Steve Inskeep]

Okay.

[Amy Martinez]

With no light, natural or otherwise.

[Steve Inskeep]

You've been thinking that ever since you were born.

[Amy Martinez]

I never wanted to leave.

[Steve Inskeep]

Prosecutors file murder charges against the man accused of killing Charlie Kirk.

[Amy Martinez]

Why Robinson? I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can't be negotiated out. What do his texts reveal about his thoughts?

[Steve Inskeep]

I'm Steve Inskeep with a Martinez and this is up first from NPR News. President Trump received a rare honor in Britain, a second state visit full of pageantry and some business, too.

[Amy Martinez]

They want to see if they can.

[Steve Inskeep]

Refine the trade deal a little bit. We made a deal and it's a great deal and I'm into helping him. Will the royal welcome sway the president on trade and Ukraine and US Senators.

[Amy Martinez]

Grill FBI Director Kash Patel and his handling of the Kirk investigation and his leadership of the bureau.

[Steve Inskeep]

You claim that you have a suspect in a serious assassination. Whoops. Then you don't have a suspect.

[Amy Martinez]

Stay with us. We've got the news. You need to start your day.

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[Amy Martinez]

Activist Charlie Kirk is now facing the death penalty.

[Steve Inskeep]

Utah prosecutors have charged Tyler Robinson with aggravated murder. He also faces obstruction charges for trying to cover his tracks.

[Amy Martinez]

NPR's Toby Smith is following developments from St. George, Utah. Toby, I saw that Robinson only spoke to state his name. Was this his first time in court?

[Tovia Smith]

Yes, first since he was taken into custody. And he appeared yesterday remotely from jail where he's being held without bail. And he was wearing a suicide prevention smock. Prosecutors say Robinson had implied to his parents that he'd rather take his own life than go to jail, though his parents did eventually convince him to turn himself in yesterday during the hearing, he really showed no emotion at all as the judge read the charges against him that those include the main one, aggravated murder that carries the death penalty and also several others, including obstruction of justice for allegedly hiding what's believed to be the murder weapon and for allegedly telling his roommate to delete their texts and not to talk to authorities.

[Amy Martinez]

So on that text exchange, what more did prosecutors say about it?

[Tovia Smith]

Well, they showed really a stunning string of texts. These are still allegations, let's remember. But this the stream that prosecutors laid out does appear to have Robinson confessing. The roommate allegedly writes to him, you weren't the one who did it, right? And according to prosecutors, Robinson replies, I am. I'm sorry. What was also stunning was another exchange that county Attorney Jeff Gray read aloud to reporters that speaks to a possible motive.

[Amy Martinez]

ROOMMATE why? Robinson why did I do it? Roommate yeah. Robinson I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can't be negotiated out.

[Tovia Smith]

Prosecutors say Robinson also told his parents that he thought Charlie Kirk was, quote, evil. The parents said their son had recently shifted politically to the left and became very, quote, trans rights oriented. About the same time he started to date his roommate, who authorities describe as a biological male transitioning to a female. I'll note that the evidence shared publicly, at least so far, suggests that the roommate had no advanced knowledge of the shooting and has been cooperating with investigators, according to authorities, though the prosecutor yesterday declined to say whether the roommate might face charges.

[Amy Martinez]

At some point mentioned that Robinson hasn't really said much. Is he cooperating at all with the investigation?

[Tovia Smith]

Early on, authorities said he was not. Yesterday, Jeff Gray, the prosecutor, would not say one way or the other. He he also declined to say whether other people may be involved. He would only say the investigation is ongoing. And separately, FBI Director Cash Patel said yesterday his agency is investigating, quote, anyone and everyone who was involved in a gaming chat room on discord with Robinson.

[Amy Martinez]

You've been to Robinson's hometown in Utah, talking to people there. What are you hearing?

[Tovia Smith]

Well, lots of mixed emotions. I spoke to neighbors who know and love and support the Robinson family who say they also support the death penalty in this case. An eye for an eye, as one told me. And one person I spoke to, a self described liberal in this quite conservative community. She is unsure how she feels about the death penalty, but she says she opposes the views expressed by Charlie Kirk. And she spoke about his death as almost some kind of karma. She was quick to acknowledge that that may make some people think she's a terrible person, but she said that's how she feels.

[Amy Martinez]

That's NPR's Tovia Smith in St. George, Utah. Tovia, thanks.

[Tovia Smith]

Thank you.

[Amy Martinez]

President Trump is in the UK where he's on a state visit, which means.

[Steve Inskeep]

A big ceremonial appearance, hanging with the royals and so forth. And he's the only president ever to get this twice.

[Amy Martinez]

NPR White House correspondent Danielle Kurtzleben is in London. So, Danielle, what will he be up to while he's in England?

[Danielle Kurtzleben]

Well, there are really two parts to this visit. There's the spectacle part and there's the policy part. Now, today is all about the royal spectacle. There's the carriage ride planned around the Windsor Castle grounds, weather permitting. There are going to be military bands. And tonight there's a big banquet at Windsor Castle with the king and the Queen.

[Amy Martinez]

Now, Trump's mom was born in the U.K. scotland, and it seems like he's always felt a fondness for the place. I got to imagine he's very excited.

[Danielle Kurtzleben]

It sure seems like it. Now, talking to reporters ahead of the trip yesterday, he said it would be a beautiful event, a good time. He was pretty effusive and all of that makes sense. Like you mentioned, his mom was born here. And over the years, he's talked a lot about how she loved Queen Elizabeth. And when he met her in 2019, he seemed to be in awe in a way. He really isn't about anyone else. And earlier this year, when Trump met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Scotland, he was also really complimentary about King Charles.

[Steve Inskeep]

He's a great guy, great person. He looks really well to me. He looks great. So we look forward to coming over. It's going to be it was one of the most beautiful evenings I've ever seen. I hate to say it, but Nobody does it like you people in terms of the pomp and ceremony.

[Amy Martinez]

All right, so that was the spectacle part you mentioned earlier. A second more policy focused part of this trip. When does that happen?

[Danielle Kurtzleben]

Well, that comes on Thursday, but it's not entirely separate from the pomp part of it. The serious part of this trip goes hand in hand with the spectacle. As one UK Foreign policy expert told me, the thinking here is to use Trump's clear love of the monarchy to try to leverage him on these other issues. So tomorrow, Trump is headed to Checkers, the prime minister's country residence. He's meeting with Starmer there, and they're going to meet with some CEOs to talk about us investing in the UK and the two countries will sign what they're calling a tech prosperity deal. That's a partnership across AI, quantum computing and nuclear power. And one example of that partnership, U. S based Nvidia is going to build AI infrastructure in the UK okay, so.

[Amy Martinez]

What else are they going to talk about?

[Danielle Kurtzleben]

Well, foreign policy for sure. Remember that Starmer is part of that group of European leaders who want Trump to give greater support to Ukraine in his war against Russia. Well, there hasn't been movement on a peace deal. Russia has continued to just bombard Ukraine. The so Starmer may try to push Trump to do more, but Trump is suggesting that it's up to NATO allies to first stop buying Russian oil. For his part, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, he told the UK's Sky News this week he really wants Starmer to press Trump on specifics on security guarantees and also for some firmness on new Russia sanctions.

[Amy Martinez]

There were pretty big protests in the UK when Trump visited in his first term. Are we seeing or expecting that kind of reception again?

[Danielle Kurtzleben]

Very much. Trump is not popular here, and his tariffs here have only made Brits angrier, as our colleague Lauren Frayer has reported. In fact, the protests have already begun. Earlier this week on the lawn outside of Windsor Castle, protesters unfurled a giant photo of Trump and the late Jeffrey Epstein, the financier and sex offender. Now, all of that said, it's a gray and drizzly morning here so far, so that may bring down both Trump's day and the protesters.

[Amy Martinez]

All right, that's NPR's Danielle Kurtzleben. Thanks a lot.

[Danielle Kurtzleben]

Thank you.

[Amy Martinez]

FBI Director Kash Patel will be on Capitol Hill this morning to hear questions from the House Judiciary Committee.

[Steve Inskeep]

It's his second straight day of testimony. He's already talked with senators. Patel is under pressure after using a social media account to announce inaccurate information about the murder of the activist Charlie Kirk. And he faced criticism for his handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case and for the firings of veteran agents. He was defiant from his opening statement onward. I'm honored to be the ninth director of the FBI. I'm not going anywhere. If you want to criticize my 16 years of service, please bring it on. Senators did harshly criticize his remaking of what has been the nation's premier law enforcement agency. Patel responded by raising his voice and name calling.

[Amy Martinez]

NPR political reporter Elena Moore was watching. Elena, four hours, more than four hours of this hearing. A lot came up. A lot of tensions were pretty high. So what stood out to you?

[Elena Moore]

Well, we really heard two starkly different messages. You know, Democrats provided a litany of reasons why they think Patel isn't fit for this job, drawing on what they see as recent missteps he's made. Here's how New Jersey Senator Cory Booker put it.

[Steve Inskeep]

You swear to release the Epstein files, but now you're withholding the Epstein files. You claim that you have a suspect in a serious assassination. Whoops. Then you don't have a suspect. You know nothing about plans to remove FBI agents, yet you're directly involved in those plans.

[Elena Moore]

And, you know, this moment devolved into a really heated exchange with Patel, who called Booker's comments a rant and false information. Republicans, for their part, largely defended the FBI director. But beyond that, they focused their time talking about the issue of political violence, given that this previously scheduled hearing occurred less than a week after Charlie Kirk was assassinated.

[Amy Martinez]

And what was that message that we heard from Republicans?

[Elena Moore]

Well, much like what we've heard from the White House, many GOP lawmakers allege that the far left is to blame for fueling a larger culture of political violence. Missouri Republican Senator Eric Schmidt really focused on that.

[Amy Martinez]

We are lying if we think that this is a both sides thing.

[Elena Moore]

It's not and we should say. Investigators have not produced evidence connecting the suspect to any larger group or movement. And Democrats heavily rejected that narrative, given they've also been the targets of recent and acts of political violence.

[Amy Martinez]

Now, cash Patel is also facing allegations that he carried out politically motivated firings at the FBI. What did he say to those accusations?

[Elena Moore]

Well, during his confirmation hearing, Patel said he wouldn't dismiss anyone on political grounds. But a lawsuit filed by three former FBI officials last week alleges he did just that. Democrats repeatedly raised concerns about that case. But when Patel was pressed on whether political retribution is happening at the FBI.

[Steve Inskeep]

He pushed back any termination at the FBI. Was a decision that I made based on the evidence that I have as a director of the FBI. And it's my job and I'm not going to shy away from it.

[Amy Martinez]

The Epstein case has been such a big, big topic of conversation on Capitol Hill. Did we learn anything new about it?

[Elena Moore]

Well, short answer, no. Patel stressed that he and the administration more broadly have worked to be as transparent as possible on this. But a you know, it remains unclear if that'll be enough for lawmakers, and Patel will likely have to answer more questions that today when he heads back to Capitol Hill.

[Amy Martinez]

That's NPR reporter, political reporter Elena Moore. Elena, thanks.

[Elena Moore]

Thank you.

[Amy Martinez]

And that's up first for Wednesday, September 17th, Amy Martinez.

[Steve Inskeep]

And I'm Steve Inskeep. Thanks for joining us. You'll find more in depth coverage of the stories we talked about today and lots more by turning on the Radio. NPR's Morning Edition is the show that a. Martinez, Michelle Martin, Layla and I host. You can find MORNING Edition on your NPR [e-mail] Today's episode of Up first.

[Amy Martinez]

Was edited by Gigi Duban, Roberta Rampton, Jason Breslow, Mohamed El Bardisi and Olivia Hampton. It was produced by Ziad Buch, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott, and our technical director is Carly Strange. Join us again tomorrow. Foreign this message comes from netsuite what does the future hold for business? Can someone invent a crystal ball? Until then, over 42,000 businesses have future proofed their business with NetSuite by Oracle, the number one Cloud ERP, bringing accounting, financial management, inventory and HR into one platform. With real time insights and forecasting, you're able to peer into the future and seize new opportunities. Download the CFO's Guide to AI and Machine Learning for free at netsuite.com story.

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